Art Williams
Chief Executive Officer
Art Williams is a native of Denver, Colorado. After college, he began leveraging a career focused on the development of ministry in low-economic & ethnically diverse communities. Art comes to iSSACHAR from a 17 year tenure with Young Life where he directed a remarkable ministry in Denver. Art has successfully and systematically created a scalable platform of ministry and went on to serve in leadership roles at a regional, divisional, and national level. The successes of his work not only thrive but they also empower, influence, and strengthen a multiethnic presence of leadership. As a dedicated and passionate professional and a man of God, Art demonstrates strength in leading city initiatives that include partnerships, fundraising strategies and leadership development programs. Art has become a key voice in our city that many have grown to trust and partner with. As the Executive Director (President) of iSSACHAR, Art plans to launch a leadership foundation here in Denver. With iSSACHAR’s expanded vision, Art will be a great fit to lead iSSACHAR in the upcoming season. Art is blessed with the love and lifetime partnership of his wife, Stacey, and has three beautiful daughters, Brooklyn (13), (Amaya 10), (NiZayla 5).
Scott Lundeen
Chief Strategy Officer
Scott was part of iSSACHAR’s second class and is an alumnus of the apprenticeship program. He has 25 years of experience in urban and student ministry in cities including Minneapolis, Kansas City, Denver, Chicago, and New Orleans. Scott’s experience in New Orleans, including Hurricane Katrina, furthered his passions for developing young urban Christian leaders and engaging followers of Jesus in issues of race, poverty, and justice. Upon his return to Denver in 2008, he worked with Mile High Ministries to produce the Urban Entry video series and became re-engaged at iSSACHAR. In his role of program director since 2011, Scott lives his passion of developing urban Christian leaders who leverage their resources for God’s Kingdom. Scott holds degrees in Communications and Media from Bethel University and an M.A. from Denver Seminary. He lives in Denver with his wife, Melanie, and two daughters.
Dr. Sandy Lee
Diretor of Culture and Community
Sandy’s passion for developing and counseling young people spans two decades and five states. She has served as a social worker for underserved youth and court-ordered juvenile delinquents and their families, a school crisis counselor, a church youth leader, an intercultural competence trainer, and a discipleship director. She worked alongside Scott Lundeen to create an urban leadership development program in New Orleans, and later accepted his invitation to join the iSSACHAR staff in 2012. Sandy enjoys helping people understand who they are at their core, in order to discover what God has for them in their story. She desires to equip apprentices who walk with confidence into their gifts of leadership to impact the world. She holds a B.A. in Psychology from Trinity International University, an M.S.W. from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, and a Ph.D. in Marriage and Family Therapy from Florida State University.
Paloma Cotton
Finance and HR Operations
Paloma Cotton (wife of Anthony Cotton) brings experience to iSSACHAR as an alumnus and knows, first hand, the transformation that happens when you are a part of the iSSACHAR community. In her active role in the operations of iSSACHAR, she is committed to giving back to a community that gave her so much and she is honored to be a part of the organization’s growth and success. As a member of the operations team, Paloma oversees finances, Human Resources, and Executive Administration.
Paloma is a black belt in Taekwondo and has taught martial arts and self-defense to underserved communities with a targeted approach for girls who were rescued from human sex-trafficking. She has also partnered in mentoring for numerous schools and organizations such as Heart and Hand Center, Save Our Youth, and The Good Seed.
The iSSACHAR center is an extension of her own family as she lives with her husband, Anthony, and they are raising their daughter Kaihlani in the iSSACHAR Residence Hall.
Sierra Warren
Apprenticeship Director
Sierra Warren was born and raised in the heart of Kansas City, Missouri. She is a proven advocate for first generational minority students where she consistently explores her passion in bridging the gap for these students to help them matriculate throughout their collegiate experience successfully. Her personal academic journey started at the Metropolitan Community College where she received an Associates of Arts degree. She then conferred a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies with an emphasis in Journalism and Mass Media and a Master of Arts in Educational Administration with an emphasis in Higher Education at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. She has worked in Higher Education for almost ten years.
Sierra is a believer in Christ and started exploring her relationship with Him in her formative years as she grew up in the church. She rededicated her life to Christ back in 2008 and continues to show others His love. Sierra and her husband of nine years, Miguel Warren Jr., have served in various capacities of ministry. Most recently God has called Sierra and her family to Denver, Colorado to serve at Park Church. They have three amazing children, Miguel III (age 7), Aria (age 4), and Ava Grace (age 3). Sierra’s greatest privilege and joy in life are serving God with the gifts and talents that He has bestowed upon her, loving and honoring her husband, and discipling her children.
Anthony Cotton
Residential Director
Anthony Cotton (husband of Paloma) married into the iSSACHAR family 4 years ago. He has a very special skill set in matters of artistic talent and leverages these skills in his affiliation with iSSACHAR. Anthony contributes to the day-to-day functionality of iSSACHAR and also the overall culture and mission. His contribution ranges from daily management and maintenance of the physical property, walking with the apprentices personally, spiritually, and professionally and finding creative ways to tell the story of iSSACHAR through social media.
Anthony is a dancer, speaker, and bestselling author. Anthony moved from Denver to Los Angeles at 18. During his time in Los Angeles, he did commercials, created viral videos, and danced on shows like The Ellen Show and on the set of Jimmy Kimmel Live. After 6 years in LA, Anthony moved back home to Denver and he now uses his story, lessons learned along the way, and his social media platform to inspire the iSSACHAR community through various forms of art and speech.
Heather Dean
Development Officer
Heather Dean is a tenured professional in the nonprofit sector and has forged a brilliant career in Organizational Development. She received her Bachelors in Business Administration from Walla Walla College (now University) and completed classes towards her Master’s degree in Clinical Ministry while working in the Center for Christian Bioethics at Loma Linda University. Her skillset, combined with her passion for helping others has enabled her to be an asset to the iSSACHAR Urban Leadership community. One of Heather’s greatest joys is witnessing the impact that her work makes in the lives that are touched by the kind of generosity that is reflective of the kindness of Jesus. The people and the stories that she has been blessed to experience continue to inspire her to give and work in this space.
Heather primarily grew up in the Pacific Northwest. At the age of 13, her family lived in Loveland for one year…just long enough to become a Denver Broncos fan. Fast forward 18 years, she returned to Colorado and fell in love with a guy named Monte, now her husband. They are blessed by their three children, Dorothy (age 13), David (age 11), and Demi (age 5). As a family, their mission is to serve Jesus and the community hand in hand.
