The YEBOfam
Sarah has spent her career focused on helping organizations find solutions to problems that enable long term and sustainable growth. As a corporate attorney with roots in big law who successfully transitioned to running her own practice, Sarah found a passion for working with entrepreneurs, nonprofits and startups. Sarah is currently the Chief of Growth & Strategy at Buderflys , a smart earbud startup focused on creating the world’s most perfect fitting earbud built for long form content (audiobooks, podcast) listening. She is also a mother of two amazing kiddos, and spends her free time volunteering as a CASA in Adams County and being outside with her family.
Sarah has spent her career focused on helping organizations find solutions to problems that enable long term and sustainable growth. As a corporate attorney with roots in big law who successfully transitioned to running her own practice, Sarah found a passion for working with entrepreneurs, nonprofits and startups. Sarah is currently the Chief of Growth & Strategy at Buderflys , a smart earbud startup focused on creating the world’s most perfect fitting earbud built for long form content (audiobooks, podcast) listening. She is also a mother of two amazing kiddos, and spends her free time volunteering as a CASA in Adams County and being outside with her family.
Paul Yumbla was born in Cuenca, Ecuador, and moved to the US when he was 4 years old. Paul grew up undocumented and is a former DACA recipient and a proud son of two Ecuadorian immigrants. He graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Connecticut in 2014. After joining the Teach For America Colorado corps, he humbly accepted a role as a founding 8th grade teacher at DSST: College View. In 2016, Paul served as an Aulas Sin Fronteras Exchange Teacher, working closely with teachers and students from Zaragoza, Mexico in an effort to promote global citizenship. Paul was a 2017 LEE Policy & Advocacy Fellow working as a community organizer for Padres y Jovenes Unidos, a grassroots non-profit advocating for better access and justice in communities and schools. During his four years at DSST, Paul was deeply embedded within a community that taught him the inherent value in building alongside and for community. Serving as a head soccer coach, parent organizer, technology, and reading teacher, Paul had the privilege to be in service to the southwest Denver community. Paul is a current doctoral student at CU Denver’s school of education and human development pursuing his Ed.D in Urban Education and Diverse Communities. Paul is a current English teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School.
Paul Yumbla was born in Cuenca, Ecuador, and moved to the US when he was 4 years old. Paul grew up undocumented and is a former DACA recipient and a proud son of two Ecuadorian immigrants. He graduated with a degree in English Literature from the University of Connecticut in 2014. After joining the Teach For America Colorado corps, he humbly accepted a role as a founding 8th grade teacher at DSST: College View. In 2016, Paul served as an Aulas Sin Fronteras Exchange Teacher, working closely with teachers and students from Zaragoza, Mexico in an effort to promote global citizenship. Paul was a 2017 LEE Policy & Advocacy Fellow working as a community organizer for Padres y Jovenes Unidos, a grassroots non-profit advocating for better access and justice in communities and schools. During his four years at DSST, Paul was deeply embedded within a community that taught him the inherent value in building alongside and for community. Serving as a head soccer coach, parent organizer, technology, and reading teacher, Paul had the privilege to be in service to the southwest Denver community. Paul is a current doctoral student at CU Denver’s school of education and human development pursuing his Ed.D in Urban Education and Diverse Communities. Paul is a current English teacher at Abraham Lincoln High School.
Paul has been teaching in Montbello for 6 years. He started his teaching career as a paraprofessional and teacher apprentice through the University of Northern Colorado Center for Urban Education. With over 10 years of experience working in schools, Paul recognizes that knowledge of self and community is a key component in student success. Paul believes in the power of the Montbello Community and is working with families, community partners, and educators to build a multimedia arts center called The Confluence where Montbello youth and artists engage in projects ingrained in community and identity. The Confluence Center is a Media Arts Makerspace and Community Center where students, educators and community members create uplifting multi-media narratives that honor community. Through the Artist in Residency Program, students work with local artists to design and create projects rooted in their identities. The Confluence brings community stakeholders together to build empathy and power through storytelling for a stronger Montbello.
Paul has been teaching in Montbello for 6 years. He started his teaching career as a paraprofessional and teacher apprentice through the University of Northern Colorado Center for Urban Education. With over 10 years of experience working in schools, Paul recognizes that knowledge of self and community is a key component in student success. Paul believes in the power of the Montbello Community and is working with families, community partners, and educators to build a multimedia arts center called The Confluence where Montbello youth and artists engage in projects ingrained in community and identity. The Confluence Center is a Media Arts Makerspace and Community Center where students, educators and community members create uplifting multi-media narratives that honor community. Through the Artist in Residency Program, students work with local artists to design and create projects rooted in their identities. The Confluence brings community stakeholders together to build empathy and power through storytelling for a stronger Montbello.
Olivia Jones graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Speech Language Hearing Sciences. She went on to teach English Language Arts at Manual High School in Denver. During her fifth year at Manual, Olivia worked alongside 15 seniors to co-create The Mardale Jay Writing Center (MJWC), the first student-led high school writing center in the nation. In 2017, The MJWC expanded into the larger community to serve all students in the Denver-Metro area. Within one year, it had connected with over seven hundred students from more than forty schools across Denver and Aurora. In October 2017, Olivia co-founded Empower Community High School, an innovative school that is led by students, guided by educators and co-created with community. Olivia feels the most joy when living and learning in a community grounded in love.
Olivia Jones graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a B.A. in Ethnic Studies and Speech Language Hearing Sciences. She went on to teach English Language Arts at Manual High School in Denver. During her fifth year at Manual, Olivia worked alongside 15 seniors to co-create The Mardale Jay Writing Center (MJWC), the first student-led high school writing center in the nation. In 2017, The MJWC expanded into the larger community to serve all students in the Denver-Metro area. Within one year, it had connected with over seven hundred students from more than forty schools across Denver and Aurora. In October 2017, Olivia co-founded Empower Community High School, an innovative school that is led by students, guided by educators and co-created with community. Olivia feels the most joy when living and learning in a community grounded in love.
I believe that the key to this universe is living and being the best version of ourselves. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado! The wonderful world of entrepreneurship was introduced to me through a school program called E-Ship. In 2017, I put my skills into action with the Colorado Youth Congress and I’ve since, never looked back on becoming more civically and intellectually involved with my community. To be living in this universe is a blessing, [we] humans have an amazing ability to constantly seek to challenge the status quo. Life is meant to be enjoyed. You and I should have access to do so 🙂 [Fun fact: I love all things related to universe building and Avatar the Last Airbender + The Legend of Korra!]
I believe that the key to this universe is living and being the best version of ourselves. Born and raised in Denver, Colorado! The wonderful world of entrepreneurship was introduced to me through a school program called E-Ship. In 2017, I put my skills into action with the Colorado Youth Congress and I’ve since, never looked back on becoming more civically and intellectually involved with my community. To be living in this universe is a blessing, [we] humans have an amazing ability to constantly seek to challenge the status quo. Life is meant to be enjoyed. You and I should have access to do so 🙂 [Fun fact: I love all things related to universe building and Avatar the Last Airbender + The Legend of Korra!]
Isaura Maria Ibarra-Ramirez is a Chicana born and raised in Fort Morgan, Colorado. At 10 years old, Isaura moved to the Montbello community, where she developed her organizing skills and learned how to engage her community. She currently is pursuing a B.A. in Communications and Ethnic Studies at Colorado State University. Isaura hopes to help other students discover their inner dopeness and motivate them to get involved in their community.
Isaura Maria Ibarra-Ramirez is a Chicana born and raised in Fort Morgan, Colorado. At 10 years old, Isaura moved to the Montbello community, where she developed her organizing skills and learned how to engage her community. She currently is pursuing a B.A. in Communications and Ethnic Studies at Colorado State University. Isaura hopes to help other students discover their inner dopeness and motivate them to get involved in their community.
Dianne Myles is the founder and CEO of Dope Mom Life, a creative content agency that helps organizations build authentic relationships with diverse communities. Having been a teen mom, Dianne has a passion for using digital content and relationships to ensure that marginalized and underserved communities have representation and voice. Her life experiences have given her a unique opportunity to be a powerful messenger and connector. Dianne is sought out by organizations to create digital video content, outreach strategy, and ambassador video marketing campaigns to reach and engage traditionally hard-to-reach demographics.
Dianne Myles is the founder and CEO of Dope Mom Life, a creative content agency that helps organizations build authentic relationships with diverse communities. Having been a teen mom, Dianne has a passion for using digital content and relationships to ensure that marginalized and underserved communities have representation and voice. Her life experiences have given her a unique opportunity to be a powerful messenger and connector. Dianne is sought out by organizations to create digital video content, outreach strategy, and ambassador video marketing campaigns to reach and engage traditionally hard-to-reach demographics.
Cristina Chacon
The Amplifier | Director of Programs
Cristina’s passion comes directly from working alongside youth in the communities she grew up in and has worked in. She was born and raised in beautiful Southwest Denver, graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from Regis University. After teaching for four years at South High School, Cristina went on to design and implement the post-secondary program at Denver Kids as the Future Options Coordinator. Her last year and half at Denver Kids was as the Program Director of Enrichment and Community Partnerships, where she continued to drive the mission with a stellar team. Cristina is currently the Director of Programs at YEBO Media, where she is co-creating and designing programming for postsecondary access.
Cristina Chacon
The Amplifier | Director of Programs
Cristina’s passion comes directly from working alongside youth in the communities she grew up in and has worked in. She was born and raised in beautiful Southwest Denver, graduating from Abraham Lincoln High School and received a Bachelor’s degree from Regis University. After teaching for four years at South High School, Cristina went on to design and implement the post-secondary program at Denver Kids as the Future Options Coordinator. Her last year and half at Denver Kids was as the Program Director of Enrichment and Community Partnerships, where she continued to drive the mission with a stellar team. Cristina is currently the Director of Programs at YEBO Media, where she is co-creating and designing programming for postsecondary access.
Born and raised in Colorado, Cory reimagines and designs the learning spaces of the future with his community. His work with students and families is informed by his passions for storytelling, social justice, and the media arts. Prior to founding YEBO, Cory was a dean of students and culture, a K-5 teacher and paraprofessional, and a site coordinator for Reading Partners. He has participated in numerous fellowships, including with Camelback Ventures, Moonshot edVentures, the Donnell-Kay Foundation, 4.0 Schools, and High Tech High. His career in education spans over a decade and includes time teaching in Colombia, as well as in South Africa, where he traveled in 2014 as a Fulbright Scholar. Cory graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado Denver with a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing, and a minor in Ethnic Studies. He believes children hold magic; they remind him of comets.
Born and raised in Colorado, Cory reimagines and designs the learning spaces of the future with his community. His work with students and families is informed by his passions for storytelling, social justice, and the media arts. Prior to founding YEBO, Cory was a dean of students and culture, a K-5 teacher and paraprofessional, and a site coordinator for Reading Partners. He has participated in numerous fellowships, including with Camelback Ventures, Moonshot edVentures, the Donnell-Kay Foundation, 4.0 Schools, and High Tech High. His career in education spans over a decade and includes time teaching in Colombia, as well as in South Africa, where he traveled in 2014 as a Fulbright Scholar. Cory graduated summa cum laude from the University of Colorado Denver with a B.A. in English Literature and Creative Writing, and a minor in Ethnic Studies. He believes children hold magic; they remind him of comets.
