Pronouns: She/Her
Trena’s journey to joining Chinook Fund as the Finance & Operations Manager began in Omaha, NE where she grew up in a middle-class family as the youngest of 5 and granddaughter of Mexican immigrants & Kansas farmers. She followed some of her siblings to Colorado in 1985, which became her heart home at first visit.
After working in the banking industry for several years, Trena’s soul needed recharging and she returned to school, graduating from Metropolitan State University of Denver with a B.A. in Spanish. She then began her 20+ year career in the nonprofit/philanthropic sector, working with both local and international organizations, during which she has developed a range of skills in finance, human resources, administration, and operations.
Trena is a member of Denver Showing Up For Racial Justice (SURJ) and has been active in supporting her communities for many years. However, her participation in the Spring 2021 Giving Project helped her to better understand her responsibility and role in helping to bring about systemic change. She is excited to have the opportunity to apply her skills in support of Colorado’s grassroots organizers and Chinook Fund’s democratic grantmaking model.
Trena lives in North Denver with her partner, Don, and their ever-entertaining cat, Juniper. She feels lost without a book to read, treasures time with friends & family, and enjoys making her grandma’s mole every Christmas.