Lara has served on the board of the Colorado Art Therapy Association since 2019. As President, she engages in grassroots advocacy efforts to spread awareness about Art Therapy. Through building relationships with artists, community organizations and non-profits that have a mission to uplift marginalized communities, Lara is creating a coalition of support for Colorado Art Therapists from the ground, up. Lara encourages self-organizing directly from COATA membership, recognizing that when we work together, we can do extraordinary things.

Lara received her MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling & Transpersonal Art Therapy from Naropa University. She completed her internship at Children's Hospital Colorado within the Ponzio Creative Arts Therapy Program and served as Creative Arts Therapist for National Jewish Hospital within the division of Pediatric Behavioral Health. She currently provides Pediatric Art Therapy services with Healthy Young Minds, a tele-health company dedicated to children and families across the State of Colorado.

Lara is passionate about providing support for children and families to heal and deepen their connection to one another through Art Therapy and holistic approaches like yoga, natural healing and mindfulness.

Kerry is an art therapist with the Marcus Institute for Brain Health at CU Anschutz Medical Campus. She works with military veterans and first responders with traumatic brain injuries and related psychological health conditions. She is also a therapist with Peak Interactive Wellness, where she primarily works with young adults. She joined the CO-ATA board in 2020.

Kerry earned a BFA from Indiana University in 2012 and an MA from New York University in 2015. She is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Colorado and is board-certified by the Art Therapy Credentials Board. Prior to joining the Marcus Institute, Kerry most recently worked at the Colorado Mental Health Institute at Fort Logan - a state psychiatric hospital in Denver - where she established art therapy as a clinical discipline. In her spare time Kerry enjoys climbing, yoga, and spending time with her friends and loved ones.

Rachel is a Denver-based Certified Financial Social Worker and Art Therapist, who promotes financial healing through a mental health lens for adults. She co-founded the Money Healing Club, a membership experience for anyone yearning for a safe space to process the emotional impacts of money. She also offers one-on-one therapy as well as workshops and presentations. She has previously served on COATA as Chapter Delegate and Vice President, and also chairs the board of Dream Big Wellness, an Art Therapy collective based in Seattle, Washington.

Diana is a Board-Certified Art Therapist and Licensed Professional Counselor with passion and experience using art therapy to help folks heal from trauma. She comes to the Board with experience engaging in both regional and national art therapy organizations, including positions as the AATA Short Film Festival Co-Chair, the Missouri Art Therapy Association Art Show Co-Chair, and the SIUE Student Art Therapy Association Art Show Chair during her graduate studies at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. Diana has also served on the AATA Conference Committee and the COATA Conference Committee.

Diana received her MA in Art Therapy Counseling at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville in 2013. She began her career as an art therapist in community mental health in Metro East St. Louis and the experience formed the foundation for her current work at Wild Haven Art Therapy, her solo private practice in Colorado. Diana is a strong believer in the role of connection and relationship for healing, both in our personal relationships and our community. This is woven into her therapeutic, organizational, and community engagement.

Student Liaison

Jenni Lillie (she/her) MA Art Therapy Student

Jenni is a graduate student at Saint Mary of the Woods College in the Master of Art Therapy with an emphasis in Counseling Program. Her background includes working with a non-profit, owning a photography business and founding an organization to fight human trafficking in the Denver area.

Her undergraduate degree is a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Graphic Design. She has worked in the corporate world as a brand designer and marketer for many years. Currently, Jenni works full-time as a Marketing Consultant while completing her graduate degree.

She loves spending time with her husband of 21 years, traveling and exploring. In her free time, Jenni also enjoys spending time with her teenagers and cheering them on in their various interests and sports.

As Student Liaison, she is excited to help Colorado Art Therapy Association grow and bring Art Therapy awareness to other students in the State of Colorado.