Our Staff & Board

Co-Founder, Community Organizer and Director of Finance & Operations

Andrea Savage

Educator, Environmentalist, Community Organizer 

(She, They)

Andrea is a community organizer and Southwest Denver resident. She holds a BA and MA in Community Education from Goddard College and serves as a community organizer with Sheridan Rising Together for Equity, on the board of the Harvey Park Community Organization, as a dispatcher and first responder with the Colorado Rapid Response Network, and on the Mayor’s Advisory Council for Environmental Justice and Sustainability. Andrea has over 15 years of experience in community education and environmental justice, working with young people and adults in English and Spanish to organize for a more just, sustainable, and resilient world. Andrea is also a musician, writing and performing music advancing social and ecological fortitude.

Mental Health Program Manager and Bilingual Therapist

Bre Holligan

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Licensed Addictions Counselor, EMDR trained Therapist, Acudetox Specialist

(She, Her)

Bre Holligan is a bilingual (Spanish) Licensed Clinical Social Worker who is excited to work in Harvey Park, the community that she grew up in and the neighborhood where her family lives. As a therapist, Bre specializes in trauma work, recognizing the impact of trauma on individuals and communities. Her passion lies in creating spaces of healing. With over 10 years of experience in the mental health field, she has focused on providing individual therapy, group counseling, training, and support to other helping professionals experiencing vicarious trauma. She has supported individuals experiencing homelessness, addiction, and severe and persistent mental illness. She has primarily worked with communities of immigrants, Spanish speaking communities, children, families, and seniors. Bre specializes as well in somatic interventions, such as EMDR and ear acupuncture. She received her BA in Psychology, Spanish, & English Literature from the University of Denver and her Masters of Social Work from MSU Denver.

Community Organizing Program Manager

Camila Restrepo

(She, They)

Camila is a resident of Denver and grew up in adjacent Jefferson County. She is a community organizer and facilitator working with young people and adults within the community to develop leadership skills to create change, and specifically, to co-create a joyful and equitable community space. Camila holds a Masters of Environment and a BS in Environmental Engineering from the University of Colorado Boulder. She began organizing around climate justice issues in Commerce City in 2017. Through her graduate work with East Denver Food Hub, Camila saw the food system as the nexus where we can address racial, climate, and economic justice issues, locally. In her free time Camila likes to be active through climbing and dancing, being outside in nature, and eating delicious food.

Food Sovereignty Program and Finance Manager

Daianna Soto

(She, Her, Ella)

Daianna is from Acapulco, MX  but grew up in Chicago, IL. With a background in hospitality management, and mental health event coordination, especially for fundraising, she holds many skills that are essential in Commún’s program operations. She has been at Commun since October 2021. At Commún, Daianna has taken on the role of our bilingual food program and finance manager. Dianna does this work  because as an immigrant and DACA recipient, it is important for her to uplift community members and share resources they would otherwise not know about. She does this work because everyone deserves the better life they come looking for and equitable opportunities to reach that goal. In her free time Dianna enjoys doing yoga, loves camping, and has a passion for hosting gatherings.

Social Media Coordinator and Communications Specialist

Nahomy Bello

(She, Her, Ella)

Nahomy, born & raised in the Denver metro area. She is the Social Media & Communications Specialist at Commún. Nahomy loves being able to work within her community and FOR her community.

Along with her position at Commún, she also works with a partner organization, Sheridan Rising Together for Equity, as an administrative assistant.

Nahomy is passionate about her community and supporting their growth and  she can’t think of a better place to be to do just that.

Manager of Youth Mental Health and Food Sovereignty Programs

Laura Engelman

(She, Her)

Laura is a social worker and facilitator working towards achieving food sovereignty and equitable, inclusive mental health care for everyone in our community. She is passionate about connecting people and plants in order to support individual mental wellbeing and community health and sustainability. Laura has over 10 years experience in sustainable food and farming and youth development. She holds an MSW from University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work, a BA in History and International Studies from the University of Richmond, and has a certificate in Horticultural Therapy. Laura enjoys camping and drinking coffee while wandering in her garden with her partner and two young kids. 

Co- Founder, Executive Director

Margaret Brugger

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Bilingual Child and Family Therapist, Adjunct Professor

(She, Her, Hers)

Margaret Brugger is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker who has over 20 years working to create healthy communities and families.  Margaret graduated from the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work in 2007.  She works with diverse populations, both in Denver and internationally, specializing in working with people with mental health challenges, severe trauma, developmental delays, and immigrants and refugees. She is skilled at leading trainings, groups, and presentations on topics such as self-care, self-esteem, trauma in immigrant communities, and vicarious trauma. Margaret is a current adjunct faculty at the University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work and supervises masters-level social work interns.

Co- Founder, Resource Navigator, Food Share Coordinator, Community Organizer

Martha Lopez

(She, Her, Ella)

Mi nombre es Martha, y soy Co-fundador de Commun. Soy Navegadora de Recursos, Organizadora Comunitaria, y Coordinadora del Banco de Comida porque mi pasión es poder ayudar a la comunidad. Trabajar en Commún es una gran satisfacción para mí porque ayudamos a la comunidad y ver felices a las familias es la mejor recompensa. Me encanta ver como en Commun los voluntarios se sienten en un lugar seguro y con un ambiente de compañerismo. Me encanta bailar, escuchar música y pasar tiempo con mis hijos y nietos.

Case Navigator and Intern Therapist

Viviana De La Torre

(She/Her/Ella)

Vivi was born and raised in the southwest Denver area, and has an immense amount of love for her neighborhoods, Westwood and Ruby Hill. As a daughter of immigrant parents, she is very proud to be giving back to the community that raised her. Her experience in case management comes from working in the areas of probation, nonprofit, and with first generation college students. As a bilingual (Spanish) case manager, Vivi loves connecting with people and collaborating to find resources in the community. Vivi attended Regis University where she graduated with a Bachelors in Sociology and Criminal Justice. While at Regis she minored in Peace and Justice where she discovered her passion for social justice. Currently she is at Metro State University pursuing a Masters of Social Work. Once she becomes a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Vivi plans to work with Latinx families and youth involved in the criminal system. As a strong believer in somatic healing Vivi loves providing trauma informed yoga, and ear acupuncture to the communities she serves.

Licensed Clinical Social Worker, Acudetox Specialist

Mikayla Palma

(she, her)

Mikayla Palma is an LCSW honored to work with and alongside the Southwest Denver community. In 2014, Mikayla received her BA in Elementary Education. For several years, she worked as a primary school teacher, where she centered teaching methodologies that supported students learning English as a second language. After graduating with a Master of Social Work from MSU Denver, Mikayla has served individuals who have experienced life-generated trauma and who have gone through significant life transitions of grief and loss. Her therapeutic approach is grounded in mindfulness-based practices that align the connection between the mind, body, emotions, and spirit to promote healing and wellness. Mikayla is passionate about creating spaces that recognize the power of human relationships and uplifting collective work. She loves to try new foods, dance, and go for walks in nature with her dog.