Board of Education Members

Katy Lee moved to Steamboat Springs in the summer of 2014 and is a happily settled resident of Old Town. She graduated from the University of Southern California in Los Angeles with degrees in Chemical Engineering and East Asian Languages and Cultures. She and her husband have both worked in the oil refining industry for over twenty-five years and have lived across the world. They have two children in college and one in high school in the district. Katy deeply appreciates the dedication of the staff and community to the quality of life for our students and hopes that her experience will benefit the board.

• Originally elected: November 2017
• Re-elected: November 2021
• Term expires: November 2025

Chresta Brinkman is a Parent Guide for Colorado Hands & Voices working with families who have children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing. She has an extensive background of working with children in a variety of roles which has equipped her with a unique understanding of the complexities of public education. She is a former teacher with a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from The University of Kansas and a master’s degree in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado. Most
importantly, she is a devoted mom to four children across all levels of Steamboat Springs School District. Her commitment to our schools and community shows in the time she has devoted within our district by helping children and families with the school buildings and classrooms as well as school PICs, SACs, DACs and Challenge Fund. Community involvement is foundational to who she is and she currently serves on the boards of Junior Achievement of Colorado, BookTrails, Historic Hayden Granary, Holy Name Pastoral Council in addition to being a United Way Tocqueville Society Member. She is committed to understanding our students, staff, schools and community and strives to be an advocate for all children.

Originally elected: November 2019
Re-elected: November 2021
Term expires: November 2025

Lara Craig is a lifelong resident of Steamboat Springs. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in French from Baylor University and a Master’s degree in curriculum and instruction. Lara is an educator with 30 years of experience teaching a variety of subject areas including English language arts, social studies, French, and English as a second language. She retired in June 2019 with 24 years of experience teaching primarily 8th grade language arts and social studies to both general and gifted students at the Steamboat Springs Middle School. Lara has served in various capacities throughout our community and has a passion for youth education initiatives and programs
that promote healthy choices. She currently serves on the board of the Steamboat Symphony Orchestra specifically supporting youth music programming. Sharing a love of the mountains, Lara and her husband, Brad, have raised their two children in Steamboat Springs. Both of her children have attended Steamboat Springs public schools. Lara
has tremendous passion for the academic and social/emotional well-being of the youth in our community and hopes to continue to make a positive difference for students in Steamboat Springs.

Originally elected: November 2019

Kevin Callahan, originally from rural northeastern Pennsylvania, moved to Colorado in 2012 after a life-changing road trip and to Steamboat Springs in 2016. He attended Penn State where he studied Electrical Engineering Technology. Callahan founded Keystone Utility Systems 13 years ago, a construction company that specializes in remote reading and automated reading for utility companies. He has held numerous positions within the company, from installation to call center work to now being vice president. Callahan also teaches and performs music locally. He enjoys fly fishing, backpacking, hiking, and anything that gets him outside with his family. 

Elected by acclamation: November 2023
Term expires: November 2027

As a born and raised Coloradoan, Leah moved to Routt County fifteen years ago from her hometown of Colorado Springs to manage the Chief Plaza Movie Theater. When the theater was closed, she began her career working with the adult disability community through Horizons Specialized Services. This allowed her to build upon her education training through University of Colorado - Colorado Springs in early childhood special education and her former job in Colorado Springs as a paraprofessional. As an advocate for all people with disabilities, Leah is looking forward to advancing the inclusion and welfare of all students in the Steamboat Springs School District. Her daughter is a fifth grader currently attending Soda Creek Elementary.