Board of Directors

 Paul Higgins, founder of Run For Your Life Colorado, is appointed as executive director of the organization.  Paul has been employed as a nurse for the past 10 years with Poudre Valley Health System.  He has worked in a variety of settings including a family practice clinic where he worked with the undeserved population and he is currently working as a nurse liaison for outpatient surgeries at Poudre Valley Hospital.  Paul is actively working towards obtaining his BSN and will graduate in 2011.  He has recently discovered a love for running and participated in the Colorado ½ marathon in 2009 and ran this year in the Surf City ½ marathon in Huntington Beach, California.  Paul is involved with all operations of Run For Your Life Colorado  This includes making phone calls, assisting with outreach efforts, tracking and filling shoe requests, fundraising efforts and updating the website. organization.

 Nikki Higgins                    
is co-founder of the organization.  She obtained her bachelors of science in psychology from Colorado State University, and is a NARHA (North American Riding for the Handicapped Association) Registered Therapeutic Riding Instructor.  Nikki is currently an instructor with Front Range Exceptional Equestrians (FREE) working with adults and children who have physical and/or mental disabilities.   She has also volunteered with the local battered women’s shelter in the pet placement program to assist women with finding temporary homes for their pets.  Nikki is an avid runner and has completed the Surf City Half Marathon, the Horsetooth Half, and the Colorado Half Marathon in 2010.  Within the organization, Nikki will assist with all operations including making phone calls for outreach efforts, tracking and filling shoe requests, fundraising efforts and  participating in organized running events..

 Leslie Ayres-Reichert  Leslie recently organized 2 events where she, along with a group of volunteers, assisted Larimer County families with getting access to medical coverage and resource information.  She is currently working towards organizing a similar event for September of this year.  Leslie has written and was approved for several small grants throughout the 12 years to increase clinic resources available to the patient population.  Leslie has a passion for the outdoors and feels it’s imperative for children to learn the importance of living an active lifestyle at a young age.  Leslie’s primary role within RFYLC organization is to assist with fundraising and grant writing efforts. has worked as a medical social worker at Fort Collins Family Medicine Center residency program with Poudre Valley Health System for the past 12 years.

 Michael Towbin, MD       
 has practiced in Fort Collins as a family physician since 1994 when he completed residency.  Mike started his private practice, Ultimate Health and Wellness, in May of 2007.  In addition to his current practice, he is the medical director at Columbine Care Center East, Columbine Care Center West, Columbine-Poudre Home Care and New Mercer Commons.  Mike is a member of the American Academy of Medical Acupuncture, American Medical Directors Association, Larimer County Medical Society, Colorado Medical Society, American Academy of Family Physicians and Colorado Academy of Family Physicians, and the American Board of Family Physicians.  He also sits on several committees within the community.  Mike works hard to explain the importance of being active with his patients’ and models this behavior at home with his family as well.  His primary role within the organization is to provide support and guidance in all efforts with moving forward.

 Ken Banwart                  
graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business and a minor in economics from Colorado State University.  Since that time he has worked as a real estate agent for Coldwell Banker in Fort Collins.  Ken is president of the HOA board in his community and volunteers at his child’s elementary school.  He is an avid runner and has participated in several organized running events.  He recently qualified for the 2010 Boston Marathon.  Ken’s primary role within the organization is to assist with outreach and fundraising efforts.  He will also participate in running events sponsored by the organization.

   Tasha Ballard PhD, earned a BS in Exercise and Sport Science/Sports Medicine,
MS in Health and Exercise Science, PhD in Nutrition, Postdoctoral fellowship in Human Nutrition, and an RN.  Tahsa worked in Germany as an Athletic Trainer for 7 years focusing on academic research in areas that include cardiovascular, neurovascular, adult and pediatric bone and endocrine health as well as sports training, supplementation, body composition, and performance.  More recently Tasha has worked in conjunction with CanDo (Coalition for Activity and Nutrition to Defeat Obesity) as a Lifestyle Medicine Coordinator at Family Medicine Center, a branch of Poudre Valley Health System.  In this role she works with patients in areas of lifestyle change, facilitating goal setting for chronic conditions and weight management.  Her work also includes training Family Medicine Residents in areas of Lifestyle Medicine including physical activity, nutrition, and stress management.  Her hobbies include coaching swimming to athletes that have included the full school age spectrum varying from beginners to nationally ranked athletes.  In her free time she enjoys swimming, biking, running, hiking, and yoga.  Tasha’s expertise around health and wellness is extremely beneficial to RFYLC.  She will provide education and training to staff and volunteers around how to promote healthy habits in our recipients and assist with all efforts in moving forward.

  Spencer Dries graduated CSU BA Psychology 2005
An avid outdoorsman Spencer's interests include rock climbing, hiking photography and cycling.  He has been involved in many non profit organizations and is a yearly participant in the MS 150 2 day bicycling       event where he rides to raise money and awareness of multiple sclerosis.