Our Staff

Susie Davis, Executive Director

sdavis@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct line: (970) 763-7002

With a background in nursing, Susie Davis has been actively involved in issues and concerns for families and children in Eagle County for over 25 years. Susie is one of the most widely recognized members of our community and it's easy to see why.

Outside of her job with The Youth Foundation, she participates and supports various organizations including The Public Education Foundation, Eagle River Youth Coalition, RSVP Advisory Board, CASA of the Continental Divide, and the Human Rights Campaign.

Susie is well-known for her experience in organizing successful political campaigns and ballot initiatives. Additionally, she has had involvement with the Salvation Army, Business Education Partnership, The Women's Foundation, Child Protection Team, and Eagle County Schools. Susie initiated the Licensed Child Care Association in Eagle County. Susie received the Women's Foundation of Colorado "Be Bold" Award in 2007 for her commitment to advocate on behalf of women and girls for more than 20 years.

Her other roles include being a mother to daughter Katie Bruen, and stepson Ryan Davis. She enjoys boating with her husband Scott Davis.

Susan Milhoan, Development Director

susan@colorado.net
Direct line: (970) 376-3036

Three words immediately surface when thinking of Susan Milhoan: PASSION, SERVICE and IMPACT. When word of The First Tee started filtering through the Rocky Mountains, Susan Milhoan not only surfaced, she ignited! As an avid golfer and life-long advocate of children, Susan lives the notion that investments we make on behalf of children today help to create a healthy community tomorrow. Of course, she was immediately sold on The First Tee — it’s what Susan is all about.

Susan has given tirelessly to The Youth Foundation, the host site of The First Tee of Eagle County, since our inception in 1997 as a volunteer, board member, and now as the Development Director. Susan admits to waking in the middle of the night with fabulous ideas and solutions to challenges that will impact our children. Whether it’s recruiting a new volunteer, chairing a golf tournament, inventing another great idea to raise funds, or listening to a child, Susan takes the time to be present, to listen and to roll up her sleeves.

Susan has a diverse background, as a photographer, marketing expert, real estate broker, investor and entrepreneur. Susan served as the Vice President of Marketing for Alpine Bank, the President of the White River Executive Center and is the Founder of Estate Data, Inc., a web-based home-owner inventory company.

Susan has three sons, Walker, Trey, and Prent and recently welcomed her first grandson, Gunnison.

Katie Santambrogio, Marketing & Event Director

kbruen@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct line: (970) 763-7013

Katie Santambrogio, a Vail, Colorado native, graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of San Diego in 2003 with a Bachelor's degree in International Relations and Spanish. Following graduation Katie moved to San Francisco to work for United States Senator, Dianne Feinstein. During her two years in Senator Dianne Feinstein's office, Katie worked with Federal agencies to respond to constituent needs and researched policy issues for upcoming legislation. In the Fall of 2004, Katie returned to her home state of Colorado where she began working as the Project and Events Coordinator for the Institute on the Common Good (ICG) at Regis University in Denver, Colorado. ICG is a non-profit, community-focused organization that provides educational opportunities for the community to learn about social and civic issues, and to explore the meanings and implications of seeking the common good. In March 2007 Katie joined the Youth Foundation team as the Events & Marketing Director. Katie brings her passion for helping others and her energy to fundraise and plan exciting new events for the Youth Foundation.

Katie has a Master's degree in Non-Profit Management from Regis University and a graduate certificate in Dialogue, Deliberation and Public Engagement. Katie enjoys volunteering for various community organizations, skiing during the winter and traveling throughout the world.

Lee Jones, After School Enrichment Director

ljones@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct line: (970) 763-7003

Playing soccer since the age of three, Lee Jones has a true passion for the sport. Lee spent his first 28 years in Manchester, England, and won many accolades after high school competing in the North West counties and Manchester Amateur Leagues. After deciding to travel Lee played in both Greece and Australia in local leagues. He eventually settled in Eagle County, Colorado. While tackling a very full schedule playing, training, coaching and refereeing, Lee discovered another passion, kids. As Executive Director and head coach of the Vail Valley Soccer Club for over three years, Lee refined his skills in coaching and teaching children team skills that could be applied to life. Having the desire to reach more children, the Recreation Director for The Youth Foundation was a natural fit. 

As The Youth Foundations’ programs have grown so has the scope of Lees’ activities. He evolved in to a new role as the Director of After School Programs in January, 2009. Lee is now assisting thousands of children in the valley in soccer through our after school and summer programs. In 2008 Lee traveled and helped implement a new after school program in rural South Africa that is providing hope for challenged youth. Lee holds a USSF B-License, a NSCAA/USFF National Youth License, NSCAA Professional Development Certificate, Grade 7 and 8 USSF Qualified Referee License, and is a qualified Colorado Referee Instructor. Lee is also a Certified The First Tee-Level Three coach. Lee lives in Edwards and enjoys participating in adult soccer leagues and a variety of other seasonal athletic activities.

Mike Santambrogio, KidSTRONG Coordinator

msantam@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct line: (970) 763-7001

Mike holds a dual Bachelor’s degree from the University of Colorado in Psychology and Exercise Physiology and is also a certified personal trainer. Mike has three years of experience in child and adolescent program development and is dedicated to implementing the programmatic and assessment aspects of the KidSTRONG within our After School program

Through his own personal experiences, Mike has come to find that there is no greater feeling than that of making a positive impact on the lives of children. Mike holds a dual Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Colorado in Psychology and Integrated Physiology and is also a certified personal trainer. After being given the opportunity to work with adults as a trainer, Mike felt that he needed to do something that truly made an impact, something that was more meaningful. So after looking at the void of physical fitness and nutritional education in the school system, Mike joined The Youth Foundation to help develop and implement the KidSTRONG program as an addition to The Youth Foundations after school programs. Currently Mike is working towards obtaining his Masters Degree in Family and Childhood Psychology so that he can continue his passion on making a difference in the lives of our next generations. When he isn’t “at the office” Mike loves spending time with his family and friends enjoying all that this wonderful valley has to offer, especially being in the snow!

Dave Kolquist, The First Tee of Eagle County

dkolquist@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct line: (970) 763-7004

Utilizing the tools and valuable experiences he gained in a successful 30 year teaching and coaching career, Dave established the first chapter of The First Tee in Colorado in 2002. Working with underprivileged boys and girls from inner-city Denver, Dave developed innovative programming that used golf as a tool to educate kids academically, socially, and physically. He established working relationships with schools in Denver to use First Tee programming to support their efforts to improve math, reading and social behaviors.

In addition to exposing kids to traditional golf instruction at Denver's municipal golf courses, Dave developed nationally recognized innovations that expanded golf opportunities for kids, while implementing programming that enhanced academic performance. Under his guidance, three short courses were built on City of Denver golf courses. These courses, offering every imaginable short game challenge, afforded more than 1,400 kids the opportunity to learn, practice and play golf without placing a burden on the city's golf courses or its paying customers. He wrote and implemented a club-making curriculum that teaches data gathering and analysis, graphing, evaluation and golf club construction that has been taught in schools throughout Denver. He also developed a program designed to improve reading through golf. This program, called Read 'N' Swing, allows participants to read aloud to a mentor, develop and demonstrate positive social skills, and work on golf skills in a small group setting. Students participating in the club-making and Read 'N' Swing programs improved more on state mandated math and reading tests than did their non-participant counterparts. He relished the opportunity to work with The Youth Foundation bringing these programs to Eagle County.

Dave is very excited to work with so many people committed to the success of The First Tee of Eagle County. He is extremely honored and proud to inspire more than 600 boys and girls, participating in the very first year of programs. As a lifelong Colorado resident, it is a thrill for him to be able to live and work in the mountains. He looks forward to the evolution of The Youth Foundation for all kids in the valley.

Deb Dutmer, Magic Bus Director

ddutmer@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct line: (970) 763-7005

With a degree in Art Education, Deb always knew she wanted a career working with children. After college she worked in a variety of jobs culminating in the position of Associate Dean of Students at DeVry University in Chicago. In 1996, Deb left DeVry to relocate to the Eagle Valley with her husband Larry and two boys, Jake and Will. After a short stint as a stay-at-home mom, Deb was back to work part-time for the Eagle County School District as a substitute teacher and teacher's aide. In 2000, Deb started working part-time for The Youth Foundation driving The Magic Book Bus. Deb's love of kids, books and serving the community all combine to form the "ultimate career." In October 2006, Deb joined The Youth Foundation on a full-time basis in order to expand the services offered by The Magic Book Bus program. She is currently looking to become qualified as a "Large Child Care Center Director" in order to better serve the program.

In her spare time, Deb volunteers as a Sunday school teacher and sings with the worship team at church. She also serves as PTO president at her boys' school. For fun, Deb loves pounding on trash cans with the local "Stomp" group and singing with "The Dickens Carolers" during the holiday season.

Maria Calvo, Magic Bus Coordinator

mcalvo@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct Line: (970) 763-7184

Maria, originally from El Paso, TX, has been living in the valley since 1999. Maria’s first experience with The Magic Bus was when she brought her 5 year old son, Bo out to be a student. After seeing the positive effect the program had on Bo, Maria became a true believer in the goals of The Magic Bus program. Maria’s natural ability as a teacher, her bilingual skills and belief in the importance of education makes her a perfect fit for The Youth Foundation. 

When not on the bus helping families, Maria enjoys spending time with her husband, Pablo and three energetic boys. She is an active member in the PTO at her boys’ school and enjoys the exercise she gets walking the family dog.  

Bratzo  Horruitiner

bratzo@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct Line: (970) 306-3123

Bratzo has a background in Advertising and Communications, and has a true passion for adventure, sports and fun. He was born in Lima, Peru where he learned how to play and gained a life long love for soccer. He played in many different levels and leagues including the professional level. As a competitive athlete, Bratzo has also been dedicated to practicing martial arts since he was a young boy. He has a wide variety of experience in Tae Kwon Do, Kickboxing and Jiu Jitsu.

Having lived in Eagle County for 9 years, Bratzo has been able to connect his passion for soccer by helping children to develop skills and values on and off the field. Having a career with the Youth Foundation truly brings Bratzo great joy and he gets immense satisfaction from spending quality time with the children in Eagle County. Brazto continues to expand his knowledge of the game by pursuing his education and receiving his soccer coaching certification National D License and Grade 8 USSF Referee Certification. Bratzo has two children who live in Peru.

Lawson  Mischer

lawson@theyouthfoundation.org
Direct Line: (970) 446-7886

Lawson Mischer graduated Summa Cum Laude from Vanderbilt University in 2008 with a major in Human and Organizational Development and minor in Child Development. During college, Lawson worked with youth and non-profit organizations in a variety of settings and roles. Her experience ranges from working with children in the townships of South Africa to working on fundraising and marketing efforts for the Memorial Hermann Foundation and Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.

Lawson recently relocated to Vail from her hometown of Houston, Texas. She has always wanted to work for an organization dedicated to empowering youth and is excited to now be part of The Youth Foundation.

In addition to working with kids, Lawson loves hiking, traveling, and enjoying the outdoors.