Our Team
Board of Directors
Hridith Sudev
Founder and President
Hridith Sudev is a Onco-Epidemiologist, public health scientist, writer, and community organizer committed to expanding health equity and community power for underserved communities. In his day job, Dr. Sudev studies how cancer develops and spreads in populations, and was the 2024 Colorado Public Health Association Emerging Leader of the Year. Born in India and raised in Oman, his engagement with social issues began in 2012 with the founding of Project Greenworld International, a youth-led environmental action group in Oman for which he was honored at the Rio+20 UN Conference on Sustainable Development. Since moving to Denver, he has worked across sectors to advance the health, rights and well-being of immigrants, refugees, and unhoused residents of Colorado. He holds Bachelor’s degrees in Biology and Public Policy from the University of Denver, an MPH from the Colorado School of Public Health at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, and is a DrPH resident in Social Epidemiology at the Mercer University College of Health Professions. As the founder of Colectivo de Paz, Sudev’s strategic insights and leadership have advanced the organization’s mission and values.
Clare Nicholson
Co-Founder and Treasurer
Clare Nicholson serves as the Treasurer and a founding Board Member of Colectivo de Paz (CDP), joining in Fall 2021 inspired by the original vision to support immigrants and refugees. Clare brings extensive experience in grant writing, infrastructure development, and financial management, honed during her tenure at the Youth Sustainability Board and currently as a Senior Administrative Assistant at Colorado People’s Alliance (COPA). Her passion for CDP’s mission is deeply personal, reflecting a commitment to advocating for marginalized communities. Over the past 2.5 years, Clare has been integral to establishing CDP as a functional nonprofit with 501(c)(3) status, managing finances, and supporting the growth of the CARE program. While most of her work has been behind the scenes, she takes pride in CDP’s ability to remain sustainable and thrive despite initial challenges. Clare’s contributions involve critical tasks such as filing, compliance, bookkeeping, grant management, and systems development. Outside of CDP and COPA, she stays active in local movement politics and enjoys discovering new food spots around Denver, learning about science and history, spending time with friends and family, and skiing during the winter. Her persistent commitment to CDP’s mission underscores her dedication to making a meaningful impact, and her skills have been pivotal in building the systems and infrastructure necessary for the organization’s ongoing success.
Methusella Rwabose
Co-Founder and Vice President
Methusella Rwabose was born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Denver. In 2023, he was honored as the USA for UNHCR Storyteller Winner. His experiences as a refugee and community activist were highlighted globally on World Refugees Day in 2023. He was also featured in Helen Thorpe’s book, The Newcomers. Methusella currently serves the people of Colorado in Washington, DC, working for Senator John Hickenlooper. His experiences have driven his commitment to social justice and community service, leading to numerous roles working for Congressman Joe Neguse and Representative Leslie Herod. His passion to ensure a better future led him to join Colectivo de Paz from its inception. He is dedicated to advocating for the right policies and strives to uplift and inspire others to take bold action to improve our communities.
Ana Bustamante
Director
Ana María Bustamante is an accomplished community advocate who has spent the last 6 years working on progressive electoral and legislative campaigns, focusing on social and environmental justice and the care economy. Her passion is on building up young people and marginalized communities by teaching them the skills they need to be effective advocates. Ana currently works as the Colorado State Manager for the Save the Children Action Network which is one of several organizations that Ana has helped build up with her intrepid sense for proactive community development and mobilization like in her previous role with SEIU Colorado, where she worked to lift up working people’s voices and worked closely with direct care workers to advocate for solutions to the crisis in care. Ana has a BA in Sociology and Political Science from the University of Miami, where she lived before settling in Denver. She won the Alvin W Rose Award for Outstanding Sociology Student. As a volunteer leader with the Sierra Club, she helps helps revitalize the volunteer infrastructure in Colorado while working to protect wildlife and wild places, ensure clean air and water for all, and fight the devastating effects of climate change. When she is not working on electoral and advocacy campaigns on everything from top-ballot candidates to local issue based campaigns, our multifaceted General Board Member loves the outdoors and discovering new recipes. In her free time, you can find Ana on the road enjoying rural America, with the goal of visiting all 50 states.
Julian Temianka
Director of Operations and Advancement
Julian Temianka is a passionate advocate for community empowerment and social justice, dedicated to making a meaningful impact on the lives of others. With a degree in Public Policy and Sociology, Julian brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to their role as Director of Operations and Advancement at Colectivo de Paz. Throughout their tenure, Julian has spearheaded numerous initiatives aimed at improving the material conditions and well-being of marginalized communities. Notable accomplishments include orchestrating the distribution of over 8000 meals, distributed hundreds of doses of Narcan, and coordinating the provision of warm clothing to individuals during harsh winters. Julian’s leadership extends beyond project management; they have cultivated a culture of collective self-development within their team of volunteers, fostering strong interpersonal relationships grounded in mutual support. Outside of their role at Colectivo de Paz, Julian serves as a full-time community organizer at Colorado Peoples Alliance, further exemplifying their commitment to effecting positive change at both local and systemic levels. Beyond their professional endeavors, Julian finds solace and inspiration in various hobbies, including painting, video games, and exploring new corners of the community.
Ariana Cuevas
General Secretary
Ariana Cuevas is a seasoned policy communicator and community organizer with a robust background in legislative support, community engagement, and digital media management. With extensive experience in managing communications, social media, and marketing initiatives, Ariana excels in cultivating partnerships and optimizing resource distribution. Her passion for Colectivo de Paz’s mission is deeply personal, driven by a commitment to enhancing resource accessibility for marginalized communities. Ariana has successfully coordinated the Community Aid and Resource Exchange (CARE) program and mentored legislative fellows, contributing significantly to the organization’s impact. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Policy with a minor in Leadership Studies from the University of Denver, where she also serves as a mentor for the Colorado Women’s College Leadership Scholars Program. Her community involvement extends to organizing political campaigns, advocating for tax equity, and supporting reproductive rights initiatives. Ariana’s dedication to Colectivo de Paz’s mission remains steadfast, as she continues to work tirelessly to build stronger, more resourceful communities.