Pat serves as Board President for Harmony Foundation. She has been a certified public accountant for 50 years, specializing tax consultations. Her fiscal and leadership engagement with Harmony over the years has assisted with our growth on campus and our local and regional presence in Colorado. Ms. Nielsen has over 30 years of recovery and is a proud member of the Harmony Alumni Program. Pat is strongly engaged with Harmony because she wants to be a part of helping others’ live a sober life.
“The people at Harmony are, hands down, the reason Harmony is so special. The caring and technical knowledge of all our staff, from admissions to nursing to counseling and beyond, is unsurpassed in the industry.”
Mike Williams
Vice Chair
Mike is the current President and CEO of Colorado Credit Union. A position he has served for over 25 years. He has over 32 years of leadership experience offering insight into strong business acumen and leadership growth.
Mr. Williams currently serves as the Chairman of the Credit Union Service Network Board of Directors and is a member of the National Association of Credit Union Supervisors Credit Union Advisory Board.
Currently, Vice President of the Harmony Foundation Board of Directors, Mike has a deep commitment to organization fiscal growth. He assists and supports the Harmony Foundation Philanthropy Department as the Chairman of the Harmony Fundraising Committee so that clients and families can access treatment services.
“As alum of Harmony I have a very strong commitment to ensuring that Harmony continues to thrive and prosper for years to come continuing to deliver the gift of recovery to all who seek it.”
Paul Whittle
Treasurer
Paul joined the Board of Directors in 2003. He currently serves as Treasurer providing fiscal support to Harmony leadership. He has served on numerous commercial and non-profit boards and in senior business leadership positions. Although now retired he served as CEO for MyChelle Dermaceuticals, Peaceful Mountain Inc. and American Educational Products, Inc.
Mr. Whittle is a long time person in recovery who is fully committed to the Harmony mission and vision. He feels that his service to Harmony is a key part of “giving back” for the benefits he has received in recovery, as well as a sincere amend to the world in accordance with AA Step 9.
“I believe that Harmony is the premier recovery program in the Country and is committed to helping as many people as possible to achieve sustained recovery from substance abuse.”
Don MacPherson
Board Member
Don MacPherson is CEO, Polymath-in-Training, and Host of 12 Geniuses – a podcast for curious and voracious learners. Don interviews exceptional people about trends and technologies changing the way we live and work. A five-time entrepreneur, Don has spent 25 years studying the employee experience, the attributes of great leadership, and how healthy organizational cultures are created and sustained.
An avid traveler and volunteer, Don has visited 70+ countries and been a Big Brother mentor for more than 20 years.
Elizabeth Farver, MAAC
Board Member
Betsy is recently retired after 12 years with the Betty Ford Center and four subsequent years with Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation. She is a 2002 graduate of The Hazelden Betty Ford Graduate School of Addiction Studies. In her work, she served in both clinical and philanthropic leadership positions, as well as overseeing alumni services for HBFF. Although she formally retired at the end of 2017, Betsy knew she “wasn’t done” giving back and helping others begin the path to recovery.
“I’m thrilled to be asked to be a part of the place where my mother began her sober journey in 1985, where I attended her family program, and the seed was planted. Harmony has a special place in my heart and it is the perfect fit for me to continue my service to others, both in the non profit sector and within the clinical model. I’m beyond grateful.”
Alan Litner
Board Member
Alan joined the Board in 2019. He is an attorney who most recently served as General Counsel for an insurance group on behalf of multiple insurance companies. Alan continues to provide consulting services to the insurance industry, serves on the Board of Directors for the Boulder Alano Club, and provides pro-bono legal services.
As a long-time person in recovery, Alan passionately believes that a better life is achievable and sustainable once we are no longer actively engaged in our addictive behavior. Alan joined the Board because he believes Harmony offers exceptional care and a foundation for sustained recovery to Harmony’s clients and their families.
Xavier Amador
Board Member
Xavier Amador, Ph.D. is the CEO of the LEAP Foundation for Research to Practice. He is a clinical psychologist and leader in his field. His books, clinical research, and published scientific papers on psychiatric disorders have been translated into more than thirty languages.
Previously, Dr. Amador was a Professor at Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, an Adjunct Professor in Clinical Psychology at Columbia and New York Universities and Director of Psychology at the New York State Psychiatric Institute. He has served on several national nonprofit boards including the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) where he founded NAMI’s Scientific Council and launched NAMI’s “signature” educational and support programs: Family to Family, Peer to Peer and In Our Own Voices.
Dr. Amador is a long time person in recovery who is wholeheartedly committed to the Harmony mission. His participation on the Board stems both from his belief in the Harmony mission and his desire to give back what was so freely given to him.
“Being a part of the Harmony mission is both an honor and a privilege. For more than 50-years Harmony has helped countless suffering people step confidently onto the path of sustained recovery from alcohol and substance abuse.”
Caren Furbeyre
Board Member
Caren Furbeyre recently joined the board of directors of Harmony and is looking forward to working with a talented and diverse group of committed associates. An artist by training, Caren’s career began in Los Angeles in the 1980s. After returning home to Spokane, Washington in the mid 1990’s she focused on raising her two sons and began volunteering with numerous non profit organizations in education, the arts and other community interests. In recent years she returned to her work as an artist and is continuing to make and exhibit her paintings. Additionally she has been an active participant in a family business that includes operations in finance and agriculture.
“Sobriety and 12 step recovery has been an integral part of my life for many years. I cannot begin articulate how important this has been to both my life and the lives of my loved ones. I am honored to be invited to be a part of the Harmony community and I look forward to contributing to the work that Harmony has been dedicated to for many decades.”
Elizabeth Dean, CPCC
Board Member
Elizabeth is the daughter of our Founder, Bob Dean. In 2016, after a successful career in the corporate world as an executive recruiter, she founded Elizabeth Dean Coaching, where she is a life and career transition coach. Elizabeth has traveled the world providing leadership development workshops for Fortune 500 Companies. She has previous experience in the hospitality industry, managing high end restaurants in New York and LA and is also a professional actor. She connects with people right where they are in their process, with no judgment, and leads them forward. She was incredibly helpful as a member of the Step by Step Fundraising Committee and is obviously deeply committed to Harmony. Elizabeth will bring the Board an important legacy connection as well as a keen sensitivity to the work we do.
