Meet Our Board of Directors

Nothing happens without the right people.
Let us introduce you to the team making Gratitude Village a reality.

Gratitude Village officially incorporated on January 24, 2025, with a committed board of eight founding members who bring not only deep expertise but also deep heart. Together, they represent a powerful blend of lived experience and professional skill — including a retired agriculturist, a functional medicine doctor, a disabilities advocate, a business attorney, a community land trust specialist, an accessibility consultant and film producer, a construction company owner, and a retired teacher/business owner.

In December, we’ll grow to a 15-member board, with staggered terms to ensure continuity and strong leadership as we evolve.

Each of our board members believes in the transformative power of community, the urgency of sustainability, and the necessity of equity. They’re here because they know — as we do — that when people come together with shared purpose, real change is possible.

Suzie Shride

Founder / Executive Director

I’m an explorer at heart — and that spirit has guided every chapter of my life. I’ve been a teacher, writer, entrepreneur, and adventurer. I grew up in Colorado but have also called Massachusetts, Santa Fe, and Peru home. My early career took me to the San Juan Mountains with Colorado Outward Bound, and later to Nepal and across South America, where I co-owned a specialty travel company for nearly 20 years. After becoming a single mom, I shifted careers, earned a master’s degree in elementary education, and spent over a decade in the classroom — all while publishing my award-winning young adult novel, Lucy Dakota: Adventures of a Modern Explorer.

In recent years, I co-owned a thriving math tutoring business in Littleton, Colorado, which sold in March 2024. I live with my 24-year-old daughter, two lovable doodles (Ollie and Nova), and Mr. Pickles, our chatty green parakeet.

I’ve always dreamed of living in a place where I feel a deep sense of connection — something I experienced growing up on my grandparents' Oklahoma farm, while traveling abroad, and in the early years of raising my daughter. But in the years since the pandemic, that connection has felt harder to come by. So, I started searching for new ways to live and discovered cohousing. After visiting nearly two dozen communities, I realized what I was looking for didn’t yet exist — so I decided to build it.

As a proud founding member and future resident, Gratitude Village Colorado is the result of that vision. It’s my next great adventure — and hopefully yours, too.

Dr. Wanda Bedinghaus

board member

Dr. Wanda Bedinghaus is a visionary in the world of holistic health. After earning her medical degree from the University of Texas Southwestern Medical School and becoming a board-certified pediatrician, she began to question the limitations of traditional medicine in addressing the root causes of illness. Her journey led her to study homeopathy at the Northwestern Academy of Homeopathy and later, to earn certification in Functional Medicine through the Institute for Functional Medicine.

For more than two decades, Dr. Bedinghaus has helped patients heal by treating the whole person — mind, body, and spirit. She co-founded Healing Unleashed, a thriving integrative medical clinic in Denver, where she practices a systems-based, root-cause approach to care. She believes strongly in the interconnectedness of all life and the sacredness of the healing journey. Wanda's deep spiritual commitment also led her to become an ordained minister of the Unity Church. Years ago, she moved to Denver to found the Lakewood Unity Church, where she helped nurture a community rooted in healing, compassion, and personal growth.

Dr. B lives with her beloved dog, Shiloh, and two vibrant parrots who bring daily joy and a reminder of life’s beauty. She is also a founding member of Gratitude Village and brings to the community a deep passion for wellness, community and creating environments where all beings can thrive.

Ron Jepson

BOARD secretary

Ron Jepson brings a lifetime of experience in agriculture, natural resources, and community service to the board of Gratitude Village. A Denver native, Ron earned his bachelor’s degree in Animal Science and a master’s in Range Science from Colorado State University. He served in the Peace Corps in West Africa and spent much of his professional life working in agriculture and land stewardship. After retiring in 2010, Ron embarked on a six-year chapter as a full-time house and pet sitter, traveling across the western U.S.

Ron is a widower and proud father to one beloved son. He’s an avid reader, adventurous eater, and alpine hiker who finds joy in gardening—especially growing his annual crop of potatoes—and walking dogs at the local animal shelter. He has studied animal communication and explored a wide range of spiritual and mystical traditions, cultivating a deep respect for life in all its forms.

Having known the quiet of solitude, Ron understands the profound value of community. His wit, wisdom, and grounded presence enrich every conversation. Ron has also served in leadership roles throughout his career, including as president of the Colorado County Agricultural Agents Association, a board member of the Colorado Weed Management Association, and a commissioner on the Thornton Parks & Open Space Advisory Commission.

Ron is also a founding member of Gratitude Village and brings invaluable insight and a heartfelt commitment to cultivating connection—with the land, with one another, and with something greater.

Akshay Pradhan Esq., LL.M.

BOARD MEMBER

Akshay Pradhan is a seasoned attorney, strategic advisor, and compassionate leader whose career bridges law, business, and social impact. With degrees from the University of Denver’s Sturm College of Law — including a Juris Doctor and a Master of Laws in Taxation — and a business degree from the University of Wisconsin–Madison, Akshay brings both intellectual rigor and entrepreneurial insight to every endeavor.

His legal practice spans estate planning, business formation, governance, and compliance, informed by years of experience at top law firms, global consulting agencies, and a Fortune 500 company. As a dedicated board leader for organizations like Kids First Health Care and a former COO and General Counsel for Join the Journey, Akshay has consistently used his expertise to advance equity and opportunity for underserved communities.

Akshay’s commitment to public safety and innovation also led to the co-creation of Brella, a real-time emergency response app designed to help police and victims during school shootings. He frequently educates families on estate planning and empowers businesses with the tools to grow sustainably and ethically.

Beyond the boardroom, Akshay is a motivational speaker and spiritual guide, known for inspiring others with his wisdom and heart. He enjoys time with his family, supporting his children’s dance and soccer pursuits, diving into DIY projects, and deepening his personal and philanthropic path. At Gratitude Village, he contributes his legal expertise and unwavering belief in building systems — and communities — rooted in justice, compassion and care.

Alala Wakelin

Board member

Alala brings a rare blend of creative vision and practical know-how to Gratitude Village. She moved to Boulder in 1996 to study film at the University of Colorado, where she trained under renowned filmmakers Stan Brakhage and Phil Solomon. After earning her BFA in Film Studies, she spent a decade climbing the ranks at a major media company — from Editor to Executive Producer — mastering the art of storytelling, leadership, and production.

When a corporate acquisition brought that chapter to a close, Alala embarked on a journey of self-discovery that took her through a Vipassana retreat and to Hawaii, where she connected with the deeper meaning of her name. Returning to Colorado with renewed clarity, she transitioned into the world of residential construction, gaining hands-on experience in design, operations, and customer service.

As a long-time yogi and entrepreneur, Alala founded her own remodeling company to bring intentionality and heart to the often-overlooked world of exterior home renovation. Her work is rooted in deep listening, thoughtful design, and a commitment to evolving how we live in and care for our homes — values she brings wholeheartedly to Gratitude Village.

Kathryn Wallisch

BOARD MEMBER

Kathryn Wallisch brings a unique blend of technical expertise, educational insight, and community-centered passion to Gratitude Village. Originally from Indiana, Kathryn holds a degree in Computer Science with a specialization in robotics and educational research. Her career has spanned financial services, informal education, and workforce development — always with a focus on building bridges between people and opportunity.

Kathryn currently serves as Operations Associate at Elevation Community Land Trust, where she supports both the operations and executive teams and serves as a welcoming first point of contact for future homeowners. Prior to joining ECLT, she taught at a Colorado nonprofit focused on workforce development, helping learners grow their skills and confidence.

An avid cyclist and transit advocate, Kathryn is actively engaged in efforts to improve bike and transit access across Denver. She is also passionate about cohousing and attended the Cohousing US national conference in Denver in August 2024, deepening her commitment to creating inclusive, connected communities. She brings to Gratitude Village her adaptability, creative problem-solving, and a deep belief in equity, sustainability, and the transformative power of community.

Curtis "Curt" Garrett

BOARD MEMBER

Curtis Garrett is a passionate advocate for disability justice, disaster preparedness and inclusive communities. A third-generation native of Colorado, Curt grew up in Lakewood, where he was one of the first students with disabilities to be mainstreamed into the Jefferson County school system. He graduated from Green Mountain High School in 1979 and went on to earn his B.A. in Recreation Administration from Metropolitan State University of Denver.

Curt currently serves as the Disaster Preparedness Coordinator at Atlantis Community, Inc., a Center for Independent Living that advocates for people with disabilities to live fully integrated lives in the communities of their choosing. Prior to that, he worked for Denver Parks & Recreation for 27 years, where he focused on youth development and community inclusion.

Curt’s commitment to emergency preparedness was galvanized at FEMA’s “Get Real Conference” in 2011, where he heard devastating accounts of how a lack of planning during disasters dispro-portionately harmed people with disabilities. Since then, he’s made it his mission to ensure Colorado’s disabled communities are never left behind. His vision is for Atlantis — and communities like Gratitude Village — to become national models for equitable, inclusive disaster planning.

A music lover, Broncos fan, and classic car enthusiast, Curt also finds joy in spending time with his wife, Cherlyn, working in the yard, traveling, and attending concerts and sporting events. He brings to Gratitude Village a powerful voice, grounded perspective, and unwavering dedication to building communities that truly include everyone.

Stewart Tucker Lundy

BOARD MEMBER

Stewart Tucker Lundy is a Denver-based accessibility consultant, producer, actor, and unapologetic voice for disability culture. With over 40 years of lived experience as a C4–C5 quadriplegic, he brings both strategic insight and soul to everything from inclusive urban design to media production. A native of Maryland and a graduate of Howard University with a degree in Communications, Stewart has made Colorado his home since the mid-1990s, advocating relentlessly for disability justice across public, civic, and creative spaces.

Stewart currently serves as Vice President of the board at Rocky Mountain Human Services and sits on numerous city boards and commissions — including those focused on public art, urban planning, and accessible venues — where he’s known for asking bold, necessary questions. He has also been featured in The New York Times, The Denver Post, and Westword, and continues to elevate disabled voices through his podcast, The Tucker Chronicles, and his production company, Perspective Media.

In 2017, Stewart made his acting debut with Denver’s PHAMALY Theatre Company, portraying President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Annie. He is also a director and producer with Listen Productions, and a writer for Visit Denver. Whether soaring in a glider or pushing boundaries through art and advocacy, Stewart lives out the ethos of #WheelchairBossLife — unapologetically human, driven, and always in motion.

Our Team