Our Team

Astin Lopez | Executive Director, Director of Media

Astin Lopez, (he, him, his) is a multi-talented individual who brings a wealth of skills and experience to his role as Director of Media for Sacred Voices. With a background in music, writing, and sound engineering, Astin is a creative and visionary leader with a passion for empowering youth of color through the arts.

Astin holds a BS in Music from the University of Colorado Denver, and his musical focus on themes such as isolation, depression, and the struggles of modern society speaks to his commitment to using the arts as a tool for exploring and addressing critical social issues. As the Director of Media for Sacred Voices, Astin produces and organizes the organization's Open Mics, bringing his expertise and passion for the arts to this vital aspect of Sacred Voices' programming.

In addition to his role at Sacred Voices, Astin is a highly sought-after freelance songwriter and audio technician. With his extensive experience working on local shows such as Circus Foundry and providing audio expertise to Good Shepherd Presbyterian Church, Astin is a versatile and dedicated professional committed to using his skills to make a positive impact in the world. Whether through his work at Sacred Voices or his other creative endeavors, Astin is a driven and inspiring individual who embodies the spirit of Sacred Voices' mission.

Briannah Ó’Dwyer-Acheamea | Executive Director, Director of Programs

Briannah Ó’Dwyer-Acheamea, (they/them) is a dynamic and accomplished individual who brings a unique perspective and passion to their role as the Director of Programs for Sacred Voices. As a Blaqueer Nonbinary individual, Briannah profoundly understands the power of creative expression to promote unity and healing in communities, making them the perfect fit for their position at Sacred Voices.

Briannah is a talented poet, storyteller, and workshop facilitator with a wealth of experience in the arts and a solid commitment to community building. As the Director of Programs, they manage, curate, and facilitate all workshops and events for Sacred Voices, helping empower the youth of color to find their voice and power and become leaders in their communities. With their passion for the arts and dedication to creating positive change, Briannah is a dynamic and inspiring leader who embodies the mission of Sacred Voices.

Beyond their role at Sacred Voices, Briannah is also a dedicated community organizer, educator, and social activist for Black Trans and Blaqueer people. Their passion for justice and commitment to creating a better world extends beyond the realm of the arts, making them well-rounded and impactful leaders. Whether through their work at Sacred Voices or their community activism, Briannah is a driven and compassionate individual dedicated to making a positive impact in the world.

Our Board

  • Shanae Adams (She/They)

    Shanae "HonestlyNae" Adams, MA, LPCC, NCC, CIGT (pronouns she/they) serves her community in a variety of ways including therapist, educator, and sex-positive enthusiast. Her mission is sexuality normalization, explanation, and melanated representation. Her passion revolves around the liberation of embracing sexuality. She is known for her dynamic workshops, sex-positive mindset, and eliminating the "taboo" surrounding sex and sexuality.

  • Emma Perez (She/Her)

    Emma Perez Steuer is the Executive Director of Union Hall, a non-profit arts exhibition and event space supporting diverse, emerging artists and curators in the Denver area. Previously, she was the Stakeholder Engagement Manager for the Biennial of the Americas, and has also worked as the Development Associate for the World Federalist Movement— Institute for Global Policy, an international NGO working to protect human rights and advance international justice and peace around the globe. Emma holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Relations and Spanish from the State University of New York at Geneseo. She has also completed the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Impact Denver program, an initiative for up-and-coming professionals in the Denver Metro area.

  • Mateo Vela (He/Him)

    Mateo Manuel Vela is a Chicano spoken word poet, scholar, and community organizer hailing from Denver, Colorado. He is currently studying International Affairs and Ethnic Studies at the University of Colorado, Boulder. In addition to being a board member for Sacred Voices, Mateo is also a leading member of the Latinx activist organization UMAS y MECHA de CU Boulder. Drawing from his experiences growing up in the Denver Westside, Mateo is a hopeless romantic who writes about his own lived realities and observations at the intersection of radical love, ancestral grief, politics, and healing.

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