About Us

Diane Cushman Neal

Founder & President

Diane Cushman Neal is the founder and president of Justice Necessary, a Colorado nonprofit founded to fight hygiene and period poverty. Through more than 60 community partnerships, legislative advocacy, and educational initiatives, the organization has made a significant impact.

Since its inception, Justice Necessary has donated more than 4.4 million organic and sustainable period products, 246,000 diaper wipes, and more than 244,000 hygiene products.

Diane founded Justice Necessary, formerly known as “Donations for Dignity” in 2020 after she discovered Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) don’t support the purchase of hygiene products.

Born and raised in California, Diane came to Denver for life-saving medical care when she was given six months to live. Remarkably, that was thirty years ago. Despite the challenges of living with Cystic Fibrosis, and relying on a permanent oxygen tank, Diane continues to live life to the fullest. Her Colorado adventures include skiing, snowshoeing, participating in the Avon 3-Day walk from Boulder to Denver, and even competing in a sprint triathlon.

Diane has garnered recognition for her unwavering perseverance, resilience, determination, and resourcefulness.  She lives by the inspiring words of Dr. Jane Goodall, “You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.”

Heather Distad

Community Relations Coordinator

Heather is our dedicated Community Relations Coordinator. With over 13 years in the nonprofit, outdoor, and advocacy realms, Heather is a seasoned pro in fundraising and community engagement. She designs robust fundraising strategies, empowers volunteers, nurtures vital donor relationships, and orchestrates impactful events.

A natural leader and catalyst for change, Heather founded High Point Nonprofit Consulting in 2020, assisting organizations like the United States Ski Mountaineering Association and PCOS Challenge. Beyond her professional commitments, she serves on the boards of the American Hiking Society and Big City Mountaineers, advocating for equity and inclusivity in outdoor spaces.

In essence, Heather's deep commitment to community and advocacy aligns perfectly with Justice Necessary's mission.

When she's not passionately pursuing her causes, Heather enjoys spending time with loved ones and exploring the world through travel, sailing, ultrarunning, and finding tranquility in nature.

Heather holds an MS in Recreation, Sports, and Tourism from the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. This is complemented by studies in Nonprofit Management, Psychology, and Service Leadership at Wartburg College.

Karen Wick

Policy Implementation Coordinator

Karen Wick is a principal at Swift Strategies, a government relations firm in Denver, Colorado focusing on the Colorado General Assembly and state government agencies. She has more than 15 years of legislative and political experience honed while working for top advocacy organizations in Colorado and Washington, DC.

As Political Director and Lobbyist for the Colorado Education Association, affiliate of the National Education Association, she led strategic campaigns to advance their political and legislative goals and engage their 35,000 members across the state. Her previous experience also includes advancing rights for LGBTQ individuals nationally with the Gill Foundation, advocating for union members with the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees and advancing the rights of working women at Women Work! The National Network for Women’s Employment.

A native of New Jersey, Karen completed her bachelor’s degree at Montclair State University. She later earned her Master’s in Public Policy at the Trachtenberg School of Public Policy and Public Administration at George Washington University in Washington, DC.

Dr. Sharon Michaels

Educational Consultant

Sharon Michaels, Ed.D. (she/her), is a visionary educational leader dedicated to racial and gender justice. As a teacher, coach, and elementary school principal, she founded Disrupt Forward in 2016. This consulting firm aids K-12 education organizations in refining their anti-bias and anti-racist policies, ensuring all students thrive.

Dr. Michaels earned her Doctorate in Leadership and Learning in Organizations from Vanderbilt University and a Master's in Curriculum & Instruction from George Mason University. Her expertise encompasses K-12 strategic planning, enrollment, retention, business development, and policy compliance. She has also pioneered technology integration in public schools, improved immunization compliance, and secured federal grant funding.

Her commitment to coaching and supporting teachers enhances the learning experience for educators and students.

AudreeRae Castleman

Community Outreach & Support

AudreeRae has joined Justice Necessary as our Community Outreach & Support.  AudreeRae began her career as a program coordinator for a structural engineering firm  This role provided her with the opportunity to manage multiple projects simultaneously while supporting C-Suite executives, further enhancing her organizational and leadership skills.

She subsequently advanced to a position as an Office Manager at a state hospital association, where she leveraged her extensive knowledge in facilities management and refined her abilities in cross-functional team leadership. AudreeRae played a pivotal role in organizing and presenting conferences for members of the hospital association, contributing significantly to their success.

While at the organization, AudreeRae earned a certification as a Project Management Professional from the Project Management Institute. 

AudreeRae is eager to collaborate across all 64 counties in Colorado.  She is committed to developing meaningful and sustainable tools that will enhance the systems supporting our communities and neighbors.   

Kimberly Roberts

Pen With A Purpose

Kimberly, our enthusiastic Pen With a Purpose, boasts a rich background in professional broadcast communications and journalism. She steps into her role with enthusiasm and a passion for weaving stories that inform, educate, and entertain. Collaborating closely with the team, she blends humor and heart into compelling content. 

As a seasoned storyteller, her expertise not only captivates audiences, but also ensures clarity and conciseness through compelling narratives. Kimberly's dedication to excellence shines through in her contributions. She strives to elevate the impact of each effort, embodying a deep commitment to dignified giving that touches the lives of those in need.

Hailing from a humble farm in Indiana, Kimberly's journey has taken her across continents as a laptop-toting digital nomad. She’s immersed herself in diverse cultures from Panama to Italy, now calling Egypt home. These experiences have not only broadened her perspective but have also honed her adaptability in ever-changing environments. Her adventures have reinforced her belief in the power of global connections and the strength of community.

When she’s not writing, Kimberly treasures moments with her husband and their Yorkie fur-baby, Lily. Together, they enjoy exploring Egypt's rich culture and diverse landscapes, adding new chapters to their life stories. 

Peter Rivera

Community Outreach Liaison

Peter is a Community Engagement Liaison at Justice Necessary. Hailing from a background in education, Peter has overseen everything from sponsoring several student clubs such as National Honors Society and Key Club to build and foster a sense of student identity through community to developing college essay writing workshops, English tutoring, and teaching classes on his favorite subject, comic books.

A detailed and enthusiastic team member experienced in project management with a desire to make a positive impact, however small or large, Peter can't wait to build connections within the Colorado community to best serve the Justice Necessary mission of combatting period and hygiene poverty. As HB24-1164,”Free Menstrual Products to Students” rolls out, Peter is part of the comprehensive team providing a platform for the legislation to launch, including a focus on student engagement because nurturing the minds of the future generations is how we ensure the work we do continues

In his down time, Peter enjoys catching up on comic books and novels, spending time with family and loved ones, exploring the state of Colorado, experimenting with new recipes, and working on his book. 

A former Schreyer Scholar from Penn State University, Peter holds a BA in Film-Video and a BS in Management with a focus in human capital. 

Emily Kontz

Clinical Social Worker Consultant

Emily is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker coming to Justice Necessary as a consultant with over 11 years of experience in the mental health field. Emily currently runs her own private practice where she provides therapy and advocacy to teens, college students, and adult women.

Previously, Emily worked as a school social worker in Greeley, Colorado. Emily met with students struggling with mental health and substance use concerns, developed and implemented Alternative to Suspension programming, obtained grants for wellness rooms, and trained students and staff in strengths-based suicide prevention models. Emily continues to use her school social work background to provide psychoeducation to students and families regarding their rights and the resources available to them in an academic setting.

It was her work at a 24/7 Crisis Center that Emily gained a wealth of knowledge in local resources, developed a foundation of skills in mental health care and client needs, and ultimately directed her to pursue a career in the field of Social Work. It is her belief that individual care is most effective when met with compassion, partnered with systems that bolster inherent strengths, all while bridging the gaps for needs not yet met. She’s also a firm believer that compassion and humor go a long way in someone's wellness journey.

When not wearing her social work hat (which Emily admits is hard to take off) you can find her by the water fishing or swimming with friends and family. Having grown up in the tiny town of LaPorte, Colorado, Emily is fond of the outdoors and spent many summers tubing the Poudre River and going to concerts at the Mishawaka Amphitheater. In the winter - you’ll find her indoors with a good book or watching nonsensical reality TV with her two dogs and wonderful partner.

Emily received both of her degrees from Colorado State University including a BS in Psychology, followed by a Master’s in Social Work.