Publisher Renata Hill is a Colorado neighbor who struggles with mental illness and neurodivergence. She is proudly Indigenous (Mvskoke) on her mother's side. Lived experience has provided her with a deep understanding of the challenges created by adverse childhood experiences, generational trauma and marginalization. Plus, she's lost relatives, friends and colleagues to suicide. So, supporting people in recovery from trauma and despair has become her Why.
She's worked as a social justice journalist, Associated Press elections reporter and tech writer, and she's active in the Indigenous Journalists Association, the Association of Health Care Journalists, the Colorado Public Health Association Policy Committee the National Association of Peer Supporters and Colorado Association of Peer Support Professionals.
As a young Chicago woman who moved to Colorado for its glorious mountains, she was shocked to learn that the terrain is also rocky when it comes to mental wellness. With fierce determination and the support of like-minded community members, she publishes Moodfuel to increase mental health equity through inclusive, solutions-based stories and resources for neighbors who struggle.
Development Manager Steve Hill is a lifelong Coloradan who's always been interested in motors and horses. As a young cowboy, he got banged up in rodeos as a bareback rider, then moved on to wow audiences in Master Blaster, the monster truck he built with his father. Always industrious, he launched Five-R as a teen and recently sold it to his two sons after five decades as an entrepreneur. Now, he's looking forward to riding his adopted quarterhorse, Agnes, at a leisurely pace in the rural eastern part of the state.
He's active as a Mason, participates in his county's junior livestock auction each year and enjoys teaching youngsters a thing or three about rebuilding engines.
He brings to Moodfuel a wealth of knowledge about forward-thinking management practices and the achievement of financial sustainability.
Advisory Council
Charisse Piros has been a mental health advocate for over a decade, and began her wellness journey after a near-death incident in 2020. As a multi-business entrepreneur, she cofounded "Call Your Sister" in 2021, a blog and online forum focused on women's empowerment, self care and relationships. In 2022, she brought Mental Magicc to fruition as a "relief for your mind," by offering community members mental health kits. Currently in development, Charisse will soon launch "Fierce Femmes," a four-week confidence-building course that dives into creating routines and implementing concrete steps for women ages 20-50, including how-to videos on self-care, guided journal prompts, a self-care swag bag and a one-on-one session with Confidence Coach Char. She's been featured in Voyage Media and continues to expand on YouTube and through virtual "sisterhood" events on Facebook where women share struggles and triumphs in a safe space. Thank you for the gift of yourself, Char!
Glen Merica's passions, such as sports, cars, motorcycles and hunting, have developed into strong connections within Colorado. He served for three years on the nonprofit Denver Rolling Nuggets wheelchair basketball team board of directors where he helped fundraise for differently abled youth through BBQs and holiday parties. A long-time Colorado businessman, he founded highly regarded private investigation firm Merica & Associates, Inc. to assist a range of clients, from individuals to government agencies, with in-depth research and reconnaissance. He provides insight and guidance on the subject of suicidality and postvention techniques as they relate to traumatized family members. He is Asian-American and a suicide loss survivor after the death of his daughter in 2014. Thank you for your supportive participation in the Advisory Council, Glen!
Grace Jacyna is a suicide loss survivor after the death of her son in 2017 and became a suicide prevention advocate, supporting those who live with mental health needs and offering them hope during periods of suicidal intensity. She is knowledgeable about culturally competent counseling services and programmatic support, especially for veterans. She participates in face-to-face and online peer support talk groups and is considering opening a peer respite for other loss survivors. She sees Moodfuel as an essential service for those struggling with mental health needs and offers business operations guidance. We are honored to have you on the Advisory Council, Grace!
Contributors
Licensed Professional Counselor Candidate Kristine Ducote lives with depression, anxiety and bipolar illness. She's traversed these challenges, incorporating lived experience into her counseling for youth, crime victims, first responders and other residents living with mental illness. She owns Balance Point Counseling & Wellness, PLLC, in Grand Junction and offers therapy in person and via telehealth/video. Look for more of her writing on Balancing Act, her mental health blog.