OUR TEAM

Becky Miller Updike, PhD | Executive Director

Becky brings more than 25 years experience in advancing organizational interests through strategic communications, advocacy, and building relationships with government and industry leaders.  Most recently, Becky served as Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center where she oversaw organizational strategy, drove community engagement efforts, and advocated for public policy reform. Prior to that, she served as Vice President Child & Family Services for Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, managing one of Colorado’s largest private foster care organizations.  In 2011, Becky was selected to serve as Colorado’s 1st Child Protection Ombudsman, where she opened and established the legislatively-created office. Earlier in her career, Becky founded a government relations consultancy that specialized in health, education, and community initiatives and policy reform. She represented Tennyson Center for Children, Every Child Matters, Qualistar, Colorado Council of Churches, Colorado Care Management and others. Becky began her career as an Aide to U.S. Congressman Lee Hamilton in Washington, DC, and later served as a Legislative Aid in the Indiana General Assembly.

Becky holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University; an MA in Child & Family studies and a Ph.D. in Child & Family Leadership (focused on social work, education, and public policy) from University of Denver Morgridge College of Education.  Becky serves on the Board of Directors for Colorado Children’s Alliance and was recently appointed to serve on the Delivery of Child Welfare Services Task Force. She was named a top 3 finalist for Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business in 2010 and 2012.

David Sevick | Director of Development & Member Services

Dave brings a wealth of experience to CAFCA, having worked in non-profit marketing, communications and development for more than 30 years. Over that time, his award-winning campaigns and strategies have helped to advance some of Colorado’s most respected organizations, including Tennyson Center for Children and Firefly Autism.

Originally from a part of the country where the locals repurpose their right hand as a map of their homeland and use terms like ‘The Thumb,’ ‘Up North,’ ‘Yoopers’ and ‘Fudgies,’ Dave earned a Bachelor’s degree in Communications/Graphic Design from Northern Michigan University. Around the same time, Dave was already realizing great success as an on-air radio personality throughout the Great Lake state, a gig that had fallen in his lap a few years earlier. He found himself at a crossroads where a  decision would need to be made that would alter the course of his life. After much reflection and soul-searching, Dave made the tough decision to pursue the career path more closely aligned with his educational pursuits in college—a choice which made his parents extremely happy.

The decision paid off, as evidenced by the many accolades his work has garnered, including having been selected as a finalist for America’s Non-Profit Marketing Professional of the Year.

On the side, Dave hosts and produces podcasts, and in his spare time, he enjoys landscaping, gardening, camping and most other outdoor activities that Colorado has to offer.

Shawna Jewell, CPA | Accounting Services

Shawna Jewell, owner of Enumerate Accounting & Bookkeeping, is a small business CPA with more than 20 years of experience. She retains her CPA license by completing 80 continuing professional education (CPE) hours every two years. She is also a certified QuickBooks ProAdvisor.

In 2019, Shawna decided to go out on her own so she could help small business owners and follow her childhood dream of opening her own accounting business. As a small business accountant, she provides one-on-one attention to all her clients in all industries. She takes time to learn about her clients’ businesses and understand the challenges they face with bookkeeping, accounting, and financials. As a strong business partner to her clients, Shawna has also aligned herself with top-quality business service providers. Her clients know that she has a strong network of referral partners who can assist with other areas of their small business, should the need arise.

As an experienced small business accountant, Shawna enjoys and welcomes working one-on-one with entrepreneurs and small businesses owners.

Benjamin Teevan | Lobbyist/Legislative Liaison

Benjamin is the sole principal at Cavan Consulting, which represents several membership organizations and business entities with a track record of success for the Colorado Departments of Revenue, Regulatory Agencies, Public Health and Environment, Healthcare Policy and Financing, Education, Human Services, and Agriculture.

As CAFCA’s Lobbyist and Legislative Liaison for the past three years, he has been instrumental in helping to shape the policy and advocacy landscape for much of Colorado’s child welfare community.

Benjamin has a wealth of experience in the political world, having served as a legislative aide for two state representatives as well as leadership roles in a variety of political campaigns on the local, state, and federal levels. Benjamin also provides services for Fostering Colorado as well as several other respected membership organizations throughout Colorado.