Four business and community leaders from across the Front Range have been elected to two-year terms as the newest members of the governing board of the Alzheimer's Association of Colorado.
Joining the 16-member board are Shirika Cousin, health advocate who currently leads the Health and Wellness Ministry at New Hope Baptist Church; Wendy Davis, managing director in Risk Management at KPMG LLP; James Fraser, senior vice president for Alliant Employee Benefits in Greenwood Village; and Rebecca Martin, vice president of Memory Care at MorningStar Senior Living.
“This is a very strong class of new board members who will bring healthcare industry expertise, passion for the Alzheimer’s cause and personal insights into this tragic disease to the table,” said Mark Thompson, board chair and chief growth officer for Delta Dental. “This disease has an enormous impact on both the families living with it as well as our communities. These new board members will bring critical new energy and resources to the Colorado board.”
The new board members are:
Shirika Cousin – An Aurora resident, Cousin is passionate about health advocacy. Her focus is on improving health outcomes by taking a holistic approach to the education and awareness of a healthy lifestyle. She has led the health ministries at two Denver metro churches over the last four years. Prior to discovering her passion for health advocacy, Cousin worked for nine years in the executive and corporate recruiting fields and for seven years in the accounting field, holding management positions at a Fortune 500 company and a publicly-traded company. She earned a bachelor’s degree in economics and accounting from Claremont McKenna College and held a CPA license in the State of Colorado from 1996 to 2015.
Wendy Davis – Denver-based managing director in Risk Management at KPMG LLP, Davis resides in Evergreen. Growing up, her family owned and operated assisted living homes for Alzheimer’s patients for over 25 years in honor of her grandmother, Catherine, who passed from the disease. Wendy also captains the KPMG team in the Denver Walk to End Alzheimer’s.
James Fraser – The SVP for Alliant Employee Benefits in Greenwood Village with a total of 20 years of consulting expertise, Fraser also has worked as a stockbroker at UBS and was part of a tech startup that was ultimately acquired by Google. He saw both of his parents pass away from dementia-related complications in 2022. An assault on his mother while in memory care motivated Fraser to become active in legislative advocacy. His goal is to help spread awareness of the Alzheimer’s Association and its resources, fundraise to find a cure, and continue as a legislative advocate.
Rebecca Martin – The vice president of Memory Care for MorningStar Senior Living, she has dedicated 17 years to senior care, particularly supporting those with memory impairment. Martin, who resides in Littleton, earned a bachelor’s degree in sociology with an emphasis in gerontology, is a Certified Dementia Practitioner, and is currently pursuing a graduate degree in dementia and aging studies from Texas State University. She also serves as an Alzheimer’s and dementia trainer for NCCDP (National Council for Certified Dementia Practitioner) and has led countless hours of family education and staff development and training. She credits the seniors she has served and families she has supported over the years as her greatest teachers. All have left an indelible mark on her heart and continue to be her daily inspiration.
There are more than 76,000 Coloradans among nearly 7 million people across the United States living with Alzheimer's. More than 160,000 Coloradans – family members and friends – provide unpaid care for loved ones living with the incurable disease. To learn more, go to
alz.org or call the Association’s free 24/7 Helpline at 800-272-3900.
Alzheimer's Association
The Alzheimer's Association leads the way to end Alzheimer's and all other dementia — by accelerating global research, driving risk reduction and early detection, and maximizing quality care and support. Our vision is a world without Alzheimer's and all other dementia.™ For more information, visit www.alz.org or call the 24/7 Helpline at 800.272.3900.