OUR STORY
How We Got Started
The vision of creating The Light House started when Elicia and her husband Adam Williams made the decision to become foster parents. They finished their training with Arapahoe County in the summer of 2018 and had their first placement with foster children that August. Their experience with the foster care system had been an incredibly eye-opening experience. During the process, Elicia had come to the realization that the caseworkers and children being placed into the foster care system lacked the support they needed to reduce the trauma children may experience awaiting placement.
Elicia was inspired by nonprofit organizations in other states that had created a place for the caseworkers and children to find solace and support through the transition period between children being removed from their home due to safety concerns and being placed into foster care. Foster children are expected to go from one house to another without understanding what is happening, often having little to nothing of comfort. There is limited support in several counties in Colorado, including Denver and Arapahoe county and why we have started The Light House Denver.
MEET THE BOARD
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Elicia Williams, President/Executive Director/Founder
Elicia Williams brings nearly five years of experience as a certified foster parent with Tri-County Collaborative, where she gained firsthand insight into the challenges faced by foster children. Born and raised in Arapahoe County, Colorado, Elicia has always had a deep passion for helping Colorado’s children thrive. In 2011, she adopted her foster daughter, who is now 14, and remains dedicated to providing a loving home to more children in the future.
Married for 24 years to her husband, Adam, a dedicated Corporal in Colorado State Patrol, Elicia’s family exemplifies a strong commitment to service and community. Her personal journey as a trauma-informed parent to an adoptive child gave her valuable insight into what foster parents need to know when parenting children who have experienced trauma. She recognized the urgent need for trauma-informed support and mental health resources within the foster care system, which inspired her to establish The Light House. This nonprofit is dedicated to easing the trauma of foster care and empowering children to heal and thrive.
Elicia believes in a world where we cannot control what others do, but we can control what we can do for others.
Nathan Brandt, Vice President
Nate Brandt is a seasoned leader with over two decades of experience in driving organizational growth and fostering a strong company culture. With a proven track record of leading, managing, and creating successful ventures from the ground up, Nate has played a pivotal role in shaping numerous companies and empowering countless employees.
Having founded and managed businesses across various industries, including the innovative Middle School Matchup in Colorado, Nate possesses a deep understanding of go-to-market strategies and revenue-driving initiatives. His passion for cultivating thriving work environments and prioritizing company culture has been instrumental in achieving sustained success.
Beyond his professional endeavors, Nate is deeply committed to giving back to the community and helping others succeed. As a devoted family man, he prioritizes spending quality time with his two children and has been happily married for 15 years.
Nate Brandt is excited to bring his wealth of experience and dedication to The Light House, where he looks forward to making a meaningful impact and driving positive change in the community.
Angela Ishee, Board Member
Angela Ishee is a Business Consultant with Vensure Employer Services, where she supports small and mid-sized businesses through strategic HR, payroll, and compliance guidance. Since entering the HCM industry in 2021, Angela has been recognized for her thoughtful, relationship-driven consulting style and her strong ability to listen, understand needs, and offer solutions that strengthen both people and operations. Her career began in 2008 as a Realtor, followed by nearly a decade in education sales, where she built a high-performing territory from the ground up and achieved multiple President’s Club awards for excellence.
Angela felt an immediate connection to the mission of The Light House. Understanding how difficult and emotionally challenging it can be for children to transition from the only family they have known, she is deeply committed to supporting foster families with the education, resources, and encouragement they need. She is equally passionate about ensuring that children in foster care feel seen, supported, and never alone. With strengths in listening, communication, and community networking, Angela brings a steady and compassionate presence to the board.
Originally from Texas, Angela moved to Colorado seven years ago and carries deep roots in her Christian faith and her large, close-knit family. She has been married to her high school sweetheart for nearly 30 years; the early years of their marriage were spent on both U.S. coasts while he served in the U.S. Navy, fostering their shared value of community and service. Angela enjoys hiking, camping, and traveling, which inspired her to launch her own travel advising business. She is honored to serve on the Board of The Light House and to help bring hope, stability, and healing to children and families throughout Colorado.
Melissa Guevara, Committee Chair of Fundraising & Board Member
Melissa’s passion for The Light House began when she met Elicia at a networking event for small business owners and attended their annual Easter Egg Chase. She was inspired by the way Elicia spoke of her mission to ease the trauma of foster children and how she wanted to make an impactful change in the community and improve how they are helped. She loved the way the Easter Egg Chase event brought the foster community together, providing inclusive activities for all kiddos of all ages. Eager to give back to the community with important resources, that’s really where her dedication first flourished!
Melissa is a local business owner here in Denver, owning a concrete and waterproof coating construction company with her husband. With over 6 years of experience in leadership roles in the trades industry, her passion for helping the Hispanic community in the trades and forming partnerships with other local business owners fuels her passion to give back to communities like foster care families, and other underserved communities especially.
She is incredibly committed to giving back to this community in any way she can, hoping to raise as much funds as humanly possible to continue the mission and provide mental health, healthy comping outlets, and other important resources for foster parents and their children in Colorado.
Gayle Demasse, Board Member
Gayle DeMasse is currently a Senior Residential Manager for Spectra Human Services. They work with youth and adults with Intellectual Disabilities. Gayle and her husband did respite for foster care before adopting their daughter through Jefferson County. Gayle spent years working with children, teens and adults in the mental health field in various states and centers. Gayle led classes in wellness, self esteem building, leisure and life skills. Gayle strives to be a positive influence in the community and with her own family.
Terry McIntosh, Board Member
First of all, I was adopted and won the lottery with the family that chose me. I grew up in a small rural farming community in Western Kansas with a very strong sense of community. College Academic all-American baseball player, pre-engineering degree, sociology degree, and a Master’s degree in public management. 30 years in law-enforcement, including acting sheriff positions for two rural sheriffs departments. The last 23 years a Special Agent with the Drug Enforcement Administration working drug cases and then finished my career as a firearms/tactical/SWAT instructor/member stressing team-building and teamwork. DEA duties also included victim witness coordinator and fugitive coordinator. After 30 years in law-enforcement, it will be nice to work on the prevention side to help young kids from becoming offenders.
Want to join our board?
Reach out to Elicia at elicia.williams@thelighthousedenver.org by email.
We are currently looking for a Treasurer and Secretary.
Would you be interested in joining our Board?
If you are interested in joining our board or if you have questions, please email elicia.williams@thelighthousedenver.org
She will reach out and schedule a time to meet. Let’s see if you would be a good fit for us! Committment is minimal, but necessary. Please plan for at least 2 hours a meeting once a month as well as attending and participation in fundraisers.
We would love to have you!
GET IN TOUCH. GET INVOLVED.
Welcome to The Light House Denver, where hope shines bright! We are dedicated to making a positive impact in the foster community and providing support to children in need. Whether you have questions, want to volunteer, or make a donation, we are here for you. Give us a call at (720) 556-4837.
Together, let’s make a difference!