Co-Creating Recovery for All
Sheri Trahern, MBA CPA FACHE SHRM-CP
CEO
Sheri Trahern, MBA CPA FACHE SHRM-CP, CEO
Sheri has over 35 years of executive leadership experience. Sheri is an innovative and visionary leader with a passion for driving social change and fostering community partnerships. She leverages her strong strategic leadership approaches and diverse experience growing nonprofit organizations to elevate organizational performance while building high performing teams. Sheri’s exceptional communication skills and ability to build relationships throughout a community has been valued as she brings thought leaders together to drive solutions and build efficiencies without duplicating services. As the CEO for Serenity Recovery Connections, she looks forward to continuing efforts to educate and build local, state, and national awareness of the importance of promoting long-term recovery across diverse populations and reduce the stigma associated with substance use disorders. Her commitment is to implement effective and sustainable programs that will directly impact those SRC serves and their families and lead meaningful change management initiatives that will elevate the organization. An additional key focus of her work is continuing to develop the skills of staff and leaders at all levels to expand their overall impact and effectiveness in the organization and throughout their various roles in the community.
Sheri’s role as the Chief Financial/Chief Operations Officer for USA Triathlon had oversight of finance human resources and administrative operations. Sheri provided the highest-level financial, administrative, and ethical practices toward the achievement of organizational priorities.
Before her consulting and executive coaching work, Sheri led the executive team at St. Thomas More Hospital (STM) in Cañon City, CO as Chief Executive Officer. She spent 32-years with Centura Health, having served in various roles since her start as a junior accountant at St. Joseph Hospital in 1986. She is a perfect example of how hard work and dedication can lead to career growth. She held many roles with Centura Health – STM and St. Mary-Corwin Medical Center in Pueblo, CO – including junior accountant, senior accountant, chief accountant, accounting manager, controller, director of decision support, Chief Financial Officer, and Chief Administrative Officer.
Her education includes a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Southern Colorado (now Colorado State University-Pueblo), and a master’s degree in business administration, Finance and Accounting from Regis University. She also holds a CPA license, is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and SHRM-CP and is a certified Executive Coach. Active in the community, Sheri has served on the boards of the Colorado Hospital Association, El Pomar Foundation–Central Peaks Council, the Cañon City Chamber of Commerce, Fremont County Economic Development Corporation, and the Pueblo Community College Advisory Board–Fremont Campus.
Dr. Robin Johnson
President
Robin Johnson, MD, MPH, FACEP.
Dr. Johnson has 30 years of medical practice and health care advocacy in the Pikes Peak Region of Colorado. She received her doctorate in medicine from University of Colorado and completed an emergency medicine residency with Denver Affiliated Residency. She also holds a Certificate of Medical Ethics from Catholic Health Initiatives and a Master Public Health from The George Washington University. She practiced Emergency Medicine at University of Colorado Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs for 24 years, served as Medical Director for one of the local safety net clinics, Mission Medical Center, and has served as Deputy Medical Director for the Colorado Springs Fire Department Community and Public Health Division. Dr. Johnson served as Medical Director for El Paso County Public Health, 2018 through December of 2021, helping our community to navigate through several outbreaks and the first 2 years of the COVID Pandemic. She continues her community advocacy through consulting to address emerging issues in health. Additionally, she is the Director for Community Engagement, University of Colorado School of Medicine, Colorado Springs Branch. Dr. Johnson has and continues to serve on many local boards in the Pikes Peak Region and the state of Colorado.
Dr. Joel Ernster
Vice President
Chair of Governance Committee
Dr. Joel Ernster,Vice President
Chair of Governance Committee
Joel was raised in Colorado Springs, attending both grade school and high school there. He brought his young family back to Colorado Springs in 1986, having trained as an ENT (ear, nose and throat) surgeon at the University of Colorado. Along with several partners, he grew the practice into what is now called Colorado ENT and Allergy. In addition, he served on a number of committees at Centura Health and UCHealth, most notably the credentials committees, peer review committees, medical executive committees and oncology committees. He was Chief of the Medical Staff at Penrose-St. Francis (Centura Health) from 2012-14. He retired from active practice in late 2022. He and his wife, Jan, currently split time between Colorado Springs and Arizona. Joel now spends his time with family as well as developing his skills as an artist mostly as a sculptor. He and his wife raised three boys who are now in their 30’s. Their eldest son, Nick, became dependent on alcohol and struggled with access to appropriate care for many years. Fortunately, Nick has been able to remain sober for nearly 3 years and currently serves as a housing navigator for the downtown Denver Salvation Army homeless shelter.
Brian Cortez
Treasurer
Chair of Finance Committee
Brian Cortez, Treasurer
Chair of Finance Committee
Bio Coming Soon
Mel Harnly Hjelkrem
Member At Large
Finance Committee
Mel Harnly Hjelkrem, Member At Large
Finance Committee
Bio Coming Soon
Dr. Ryan Cole
Member At Large
Dr Ryan Cole,Treasurer
Chair of Finance Committee
Owner and President of Brain and Body Integration and Achieve Whole Recovery, responsible for leadership and oversight of all aspects of the operations of both businesses. Has spent more than 10 years in private practice and has developed both of his businesses into organizations with multiple locations and more than 30 employees at each business. Has worked as a Clinical Psychologist for 10 years. He is passionate about connecting individuals and organizations with shared purpose to create a large network of resources for individuals that struggle with addiction and mental health.
Elton Kirkwood Jr.
Member at Large
Chair of Peer Advisory Council
Elton Kirkwood, Member at Large
Chair of Peer Advisory Council
Elton moved to Colorado Springs from California 32 years ago. He offers 25 years of involvement in education and the community service sector. With a solid business management and education background, he has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and business operation strategies. He has sat on multiple boards and committees throughout the community and offers experience in multicultural environments that includes education, coaching, and fundraising.
Wendy Oatis
Member at Large
Organizational Effectiveness Committee
Wendy Oatis, Member at Large
Bio Coming Soon!
Jessica Hennings
Member at Large
Organizational Effectiveness Committee
Jessica Hennings, Member at Large
QA Committee
Kevin Murphy
Member At Large
Governance Committee
Kevin Murphy, Member At Large
– Kevin has lived in Colorado Springs for 40+ years and worked at Murphy Constructors as Vice President and General Manager. Kevin currently is Vice-President and Co-Owner of D2-Demo and Dirt/Rapid-O Rolloff, a company specializing in demolition, excavation, utilities, trucking and rolloff services. Kevin is a person in long term recovery with a heart for helping the next person get well.
