Board of Directors

Ken Hoagland

Pronouns: He/Him/His

President, Board Tenure: 2014-present

Ken Hoagland is founder and principal in Community Capital Corp., a real estate consulting and financing firm in Denver, CO. Community Capital is a leader in affordable and senior housing by being part of developing over 6,500 affordable and senior units throughout the western United States and assisting many organizations with planning and management issues. Mr. Hoagland holds a masters in Regional Planning (UMass.-Amherst) and taught a graduate level course in real estate development finance at UC-Denver for 30 years. His 40+ years of experience includes work at HUD (Washington, D.C.), Maryland’s Community Development Agency, a private developer and a Denver lender. His civic involvement includes numerous nonprofit boards (Neighborhood Housing, Mercy Housing, Inc., Mercy Loan Fund, Kentucky Circle Village., St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Leading Age (formerly Colo. Assoc. of Homes & Services for the Aged), Colo. Housing NOW!, Colorado Housing Campaign and Housing Colorado!, Seniors, Inc. and First Plymouth Foundation) plus many community projects. 

Shahen Gharibian

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Treasurer, Board Tenure: 2024-present

Shahen Gharibian is a Vice President, Banking Officer, at ANB’s Denver Tech Center Banking Center, assisting the Denver Metro community with consumer and commercial lending and deposit needs with compassion and extensive financial knowledge. Shahen has over 24 years of banking
experience, mainly stemming from his ventures at FirstBank (2001-2017) and at ANB Bank (2017-present). As a Vice President, he ensures customer satisfaction and takes an active role in the community. His previous management experience, along with his welcoming nature, makes him a great leader in the Banking world. Shahen is actively involved in his community. He serves as Board Treasurer for The Empowerment Program Inc. and is a frequent guest speaker/volunteer for BankWorks throughout the year. In addition, Shahen has also been a volunteer with Junior Achievement since 2010.


Shahen graduated from Glendale High School in California and moved to Denver in 2001 to further complete his education at Community College of Denver and Metro State College of Denver. Outside of his professional pursuits, Shahen enjoys family time with his wife and two children, is a huge supporter of FC Arsenal, and very passionate about barbequing delicious meals.

Nadine M. Kerstetter, M.Ed.

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Director, ​Board Tenure:  2022-present

Nadine is an educator and reentry specialist for justice involved individuals. Nadine earned a bachelor's degree in communication, with a minor in women and ethnic studies, from Colorado Women's College of the University of Denver, and earned a master's degree in education from Regis University. She has been employed by Colorado Department of Corrections since January 2016, and works at Denver Women’s Correctional Facility where she teaches a college and career readiness curriculum. Nadine works part time for National Corrective Training Institute facilitating court ordered classes using the cognitive behavior change curricula Crossroads. She is also certified to teach 7 Habits, Why Try, REAL Essentials, and Decision Points. Nadine is an advocate for social justice and follows legislation as a committee member for St Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Social Justice Ministry and Colorado Council of Churches, Voices for Justice. She also serves on the board of Colorado Adult Education Professional Association as its secretary. Nadine has connected justice involved women to The Empowerment Program since she began working with the population as a case manager for Community Works in 2008. 

Owen K. Medina Loftus

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Director, ​Board Tenure:  2024-present

Bio:  Owen Loftus is the founder and executive director of More Than November, a nonpartisan organization focused on increasing participation in primary elections through education, outreach, and community-based engagement. He brings more than 17 years of experience at the intersection of electoral politics, philanthropy, and democracy reform.


Before launching More Than November, Owen served as senior director of external affairs at Unite America and as program director at the Gill Foundation. He has also held senior communications roles with nationally recognized campaigns, the Colorado House of Representatives, the Colorado Republican Party, and Freedom for All Americans. He holds bachelor’s degrees in political science and English and a master’s degree in art history, with a scholarly focus on the sacred art of Colonial New Mexico.

Nicole Rodriguez, MSW

Pronouns: She/Her/Hers

Director, ​Board Tenure:  2024-present

Bio: Nicole Rodriguez is a licensed social worker, crisis response clinician, nonprofit leader, and community advocate dedicated to helping individuals and families build stability, healing, and resilience. Her work is grounded in trauma-informed care, equity, and culturally responsive support for communities navigating complex challenges. She brings experience in crisis intervention, behavioral health, family advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and systems-level collaboration.

Nicole is the founder of a local non-profit and serves in community board leadership, reflecting her commitment to strengthening families, neighborhoods and underserved communities. As a board member of Empowerment, she brings thoughtful leadership, community-centered values, and a strong dedication to expanding meaningful opportunities for others.


Daniel Flora

Pronouns: He/Him/His
Director, ​Board Tenure:  2026-present

Bio: Daniel Flora leads residential design for Cuningham’s Denver office, bringing over two decades of experience in multifamily housing, hospitality, and community-focused design. His work centers on shaping thoughtful, well-designed environments that elevate daily life, support long-term livability, and create a sense of dignity and beauty in everyday living.

 

Daniel is deeply committed to affordable housing and believes the built environment plays a critical role in strengthening communities. His approach is rooted in the idea that design is not just about buildings, but about people, how spaces can foster connection, stability, and a sense of belonging. He has extensive experience working with developers, public agencies, and community stakeholders to deliver housing that is both practical and aspirational, particularly for underserved populations.

 

Raised in Brussels Belgium, Daniel spent much of his formative years in Europe, where he developed a deep appreciation for how cities and social systems are designed to support everyday life. Experiencing environments where housing, transportation, and public space are intentionally shaped around human well-being left a lasting impression on his design philosophy. This perspective continues to influence his work, inspiring a focus on creating healthy, connected communities where people feel supported, valued, and at home.

Christiaan Dismuke

Pronouns: He/Him/His

Director, ​Board Tenure:  2026-present

Seasoned Senior IT Support Engineer with a strong track record of delivering comprehensive hardware, software, and network solutions across diverse environments. Skilled in troubleshooting complex technical issues while maintaining a focus on exceptional end-user experience. Recognized for fostering strong client relationships, clear communication, and collaborative problem-solving. A proactive leader who thrives under pressure, with a passion for continuous learning, research, and innovation to drive operational efficiency and improve IT processes.


https://linkedin.com/in/christiaandismuke