Empowering Independence
The Independence Center is one of 400+ designated Centers for Independent Living (CILs) in the United States. Developed as part of the Independent Living Movement, CILs are nonresidential community-based nonprofit organizations that are designed and run by people with disabilities to help other people with disabilities live independently.
As a CIL, The Independence Center believes that each individual knows their own needs and what’s best for them. So instead of telling our consumers how they should live their lives, we walk alongside them, offering support and resources while they create the lives they want. These services are provided at no cost to our consumers, and include information and referral, skills training, peer counseling, advocacy, transition services, and much more!
Our Board
Kevin is originally from Maine but has called Colorado Springs home since 1980. He is currently the chief financial officer of Diversus Health. Kevin is an accountant with 30 years of professional experience and 16 years of heath care experience. He has 23 years of not-for-profit experience in health care and Olympic sport and has a passion for serving the community and helping people. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting and an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
Dan is originally from Montana and has called Colorado Springs home since 1985. He is the executive director of the Myron Stratton Home Foundation, the oldest private foundation in Colorado. Prior to arriving at his current position, Dan spent 22 years at Goodwill Industries serving as chief financial officer and later as president of the Goodwill Industrial Services Corporation where he developed a passion for assisting employees with developmental disabilities. Dan has a bachelor’s degree in business administration, an M.B.A. from the University of Colorado, and is a certified public accountant. Dan resides in Colorado Springs with his wife, Sandy. They have three children and one granddaughter, all living in Colorado.
Velette Britt is an Air Force Veteran who served nine years in the 21st Dental Squadron. Since 2021 she has owned and operated Relentless Well-Being LLC, which provides health and nutrition coaching for wheelchair users. Velette enjoys skiing and cycles competitively.
Tamrin Apaydin brings deep financial and governance expertise to The IC’s Board with more than two decades of leadership experience across nonprofit, housing, healthcare, and property management sectors. She served for 23 years on the Board of Greccio Housing and spent approximately eight years as Chief Financial Officer at Rocky Mountain Health Care Services.
Most recently, Tamrin served as Chief Financial Officer for ProTerra Properties, a role she held for seven years before retiring. A Certified Public Official Accountant (CPOA), she is passionate about giving back to the community and supporting organizations through strategic planning, operational excellence, and sound financial stewardship.
Jason Crowe joins The IC Board with a long history of accessibility, public service, and community leadership. He currently serves as the Title II ADA Coordinator for the City of Colorado Springs, where he specializes in facility evaluations, transition planning, and ADA compliance, including investigating complaints and providing technical assistance.
His career includes more than 13 years with the Colorado Division of Vocational Rehabilitation and earlier work with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment, with a focus on employment, outreach, and disability inclusion. Jason is deeply committed to advancing access, equity, and community impact.
Chip couldn’t get back to Colorado Springs fast enough, having spent three years here in the 90s here and vowing to come back someday. He returned to the Springs in 2012 and put down roots with his family. Chip is a retired US Army Veteran, having spent time on five continents and in many countries. He served as an Intelligence and Information Operations specialist in the Army, deploying to Iraq and Afghanistan. Chip’s bachelor’s degree is from Middle Tennessee State University; his master’s is from Johns Hopkins University. The three teenagers that call him Papa and his awesome Golden Retriever keep him alert and active. Most weekends during the winter see him in the mountains on the slopes. He is passionate about community work and focuses on Veterans issues.
Meghin moved to Colorado Springs in 2010 after graduating with her Doctorate of Physical Therapy from Nazareth University in Rochester, New York. She worked as a physical therapist at Memorial Hospital Central in both inpatient rehabilitation and hospital settings. In 2014, she earned her American Board of Physical Therapy Specialties (ABPTS) Neurologic Certified Specialist (NCS) designation with a focus on traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, and stroke rehab. Meghin then transitioned into leadership and is currently working as the Acute Care Therapy Manager for UCHealth Memorial Hospital North and Grandview Hospital. In this role, she supports physical, occupational, and speech therapists providing rehabilitation to diverse patient populations. She leverages her skills in Process Improvement to increase safe discharges to the community. Meghin enjoys spending time with her husband and two children. She is a supporter of the arts, and loves an evening at the theatre.
Drew is a Colorado native who has lived in Colorado Springs since 1968. He earned a BS from Lewis and Clark College and a JD from The University of Colorado School of Law. He has practiced law from El Paso County for over 35 years and has served on various nonprofit boards in the Pikes Peak Region including The Resource Exchange, The El Paso County Bar Foundation and The Independence Center. Drew suffered a severe spinal cord injury in 2004 which rendered him a paraplegic and wheelchair user. Drew brings a unique perspective of living on both sides of the world of ability/disability and has spent considerable time helping the IC to engage local government and agencies to improve accessibility and build a community where all can thrive. (Read about his experience of working with the City of Colorado Springs to ensure trails are accessible by clicking here.) Drew has a strong commitment to supporting the greatest level of independence and self determination possible for everyone. In his spare time, Drew enjoys outdoor sports, especially hand cycling and skiing with his wife, family and friends.
Dr. Corey Winn is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with more than 15 years of clinical experience supporting individuals with spinal cord injuries, progressive neurological conditions, and complex mobility needs. She is the founder and CEO of The Carl Edward Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to addressing critical gaps in care by providing funding for essential equipment, home modifications, and resources not covered by insurance.
In addition to her nonprofit leadership, Dr. Winn serves as President and CEO of HER Quantum Rise, a coaching and consulting firm supporting women leaders in healthcare, business, and entrepreneurship. She brings a deep commitment to dignity, access, and opportunity for people with disabilities, along with clinical insight, advocacy experience, and strategic leadership to her role on the Board of Directors.
Jim is a Chicago native and lived there until the age of 16 when his family moved to Germany. At 17, he was involved in a snow tubing accident that left him with a spinal cord injury which resulted in quadriplegia. After rehabbing at Craig Hospital in Denver, he moved to the Colorado Springs area, where he has lived since 1979. Jim holds an Associate of Arts degree from Pikes Peak Community College and has also completed coursework at UCCS. Jim has been a successful corporate telecommunications manager as well as an on-air announcer for several local radio stations. He is currently the executive producer and marketing director of an internationally syndicated radio show. An avid supporter of live music in Colorado, he was part of a successful lawsuit that ensured that Red Rocks Amphitheater is accessible to people with disabilities. Jim is the proud dad of a University of Northern Colorado student studying music business and recording.