We Want You!
Want to be part of the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the USA? Come join the Colorado Dragon Boat team! We’re looking for passionate, community-minded individuals to help make our festival an unforgettable experience.
We’re currently seeking a Volunteer Manager (Internship-Level Volunteer Position) — a resourceful, motivated self-starter who will help lead and coordinate our amazing volunteer network. This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on event experience, develop leadership skills, and be part of one of Colorado’s most vibrant cultural events.
For more details, please see our job postings below or contact our Executive Director, Sara Moore, at Sara@cdbf.org.
Join Our Ops Team!
If you’re ready to dive deeper into festival leadership, consider joining our Operations (Ops) Team! This team of high-level volunteers helps plan, organize, and oversee key areas of the festival—from logistics and stage management to community engagement. Ops Team members are the driving force behind the scenes, helping bring the energy and spirit of the festival to life.
If you’re passionate about teamwork, leadership, and community, we’d love to have you join us!
Contact Program Manager Lorraine Eloriaga at Lorraine@cdbf.org for more information.
Volunteer Intern
The Dragon Boat Festival Team:
Executive Director: SARA MOORE
Sara Moore is the Executive Director for Colorado Dragon Boat, the umbrella organization that encompasses the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, the Colorado Dragon Boat Film Festival, the AANHPI Emerging Leaders Program, and the new Riverdale Regional Park Dragon Boat Regatta. Sara brings over ten years of non-profit executive management experience. Sara has managed large scale events, significant fundraising efforts, and is a key leader in the AAPI community. Sara is most proud of bringing Colorado Dragon Boat into a stable and thriving financial position as well as leading the largest Dragon Boat Festival in the country with an average of 200,000 attendees per year.
Sara’s passions include rock climbing, hiking, and learning about her Japanese heritage. Sara can talk on end about her grandfather, Masamichi (Mac) Suzuki. Mac was interned during WWII as a nisei at Tule Lake, California. He later served on the ABCC (Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission) in Hiroshima, Japan, as a OBGYN studying fertility in the victims of the atomic bombs. Sara earned her Bachelor of Science degree from Grand Valley State University in Michigan.
Sara is proud to be a part of this amazing organization that helps promote and celebrate the diversity we have in the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander community.
Program Manager: Lorraine Eloriaga
Lorraine Eloriaga, born and raised in Denver, Colorado, has a rich heritage and a deep commitment to community service. She was born to Dr. Amelia Ashmann and Mr. Marshall Ashmann, and from an early age, she became a dedicated member of the Philippine American Society of Colorado (PASCO). By age five, Lorraine was already learning and performing traditional Filipino dances, showcasing her talents at venues such as the Denver Zoo, the Governor’s Mansion, and even during Pope John Paul II’s visit to Denver for World Youth Day in 1993. Lorraine’s passion for her Filipino heritage and dedication to her community are inspired by her mother’s lifelong commitment to service.
Lorraine’s involvement with the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival began with the very first event, where she served as both paddler and coach. In 2010, she took on the role of Chief Timer, and by 2019, her dedication and expertise led her to become Race Director. In 2023, Lorraine was appointed as the Program Manager for Colorado Dragon Boat, allowing her to combine her love for dragon boating with her extensive experience in event planning. Her role as Program Manager enables her to bring people together and celebrate cultural diversity through the power of sport and tradition.
CDBF Intern: Elijah Teerapenun
Operations Committee/Key Volunteers
Public Safety
Public Safety is one of the most essential parts of the festival! Our Public Safety Chairs work closely with contracted officers—including DPD, security teams, EMTs, and park rangers—to ensure every guest, performer, and volunteer enjoys a safe and fun festival experience.
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TYLER WALKER BIO COMING SOON!
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CISCO VELASQUEZ BIO COMING SOON!
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SAM COBB BIO COMING SOON!
Parking and Transportation
The Parking & Transportation Team keeps the festival moving—literally! These dedicated volunteers coordinate parking and transportation logistics to ensure guests can easily and safely travel to and from the event. This team keeps the festival flowing and helps create a positive experience for everyone who attends.
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Bryan Yee, an engineering geoscience professional, holds a B.S. in Land Use with concentrations in the earth sciences. In the community, he volunteers with the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP), Society of Asian Scientists & Engineers (SASE), and as a professional resource for high school and college students in Colorado. He also served as a youth mentor and program coordinator for the Asian Pacific Development Center. New to the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival leadership team, he looks forward to working with an amazing group of leaders and the challenge the festival provides. As a Colorado native, Bryan loves the outdoors. Besides volunteering, his hobbies include camping, tennis, archery, chess, reading, and exploring new places.
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Teresa is a Colorado native that when not working as a data entry and customer service professional, is an avid event- goer. Having spent many years attending events such as the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Denver Cherry Blossom Festival, Colorado Renaissance Festival, Colorado Anime Fest and the like; seven years ago she initially decided to volunteer to better learn how such large events are ran and managed. But she quickly grew to admire and enjoy working with the members of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival Committee; such supportive individuals who truly care about each other and the AANHPI community here in Colorado. So she eagerly supports that mission, continuing to always promote and celebrate all of the rich cultural diversity and inclusion within the local communities.
Volunteer HQ
Volunteer HQ volunteers are the go-to team for supporting and empowering our day-of volunteers. Based at Volunteer Headquarters, they help with check-in, coordination, and communication—ensuring every volunteer has what they need to make the festival a success..
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Frank Chen is a software engineer at a global satellite communication company who dedicates his time beyond work to serving his community. He actively volunteers and/or donates to organizations like the Denver Botanic Garden, Nathan Yip Foundation, and CACEN, and helps run the Asian American Youth Athletic Association (AAYAA). Frank is excited to collaborate with fellow passionate leaders to contribute to the festival and the wider community. His diverse interests also extend to AI for everyday life, crypto and blockchain, sports photography, hiking 14’ers, and real estate investment and management.
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Stephanie is a Program Manager, Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Students, at CU Boulder. She is originally from Dallas, Texas, and I have been living in Colorado for 6 years. In school, I studied chemistry but decided to pivot to education after graduate school. I enjoy coaching students through college, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds, and ensuring that they have access to opportunities and community while in college. In my spare time, I enjoy knitting, gardening, cooking, and getting outside into the sun!
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Hi, I'm Jen Pu, and I am the Director of Data Strategy, Analytics, and Insights at Coca-Cola. I’ve been a dedicated volunteer for the Asian American Youth Athletic Association (AAYAA) for many years.
I am passionate about promoting cultural diversity and supporting community events. The Colorado Dragon Boat Festival is a vibrant celebration of Asian American culture and heritage, and I am proud to contribute to its success.
When I’m not volunteering, I enjoy watching my daughter’s swim meets and my son’s hockey games. Being part of this incredible community event brings me immense joy and satisfaction, and I look forward to many more years of involvement.
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DEE VALENCIA BIO COMING SOON!
Dragonland and Artist Alley
Our Dragonland and Artist Alley Coordinator supports community partners and artists in one of the most dynamic areas of our festival. This vibrant space highlights education, connection, and creativity—offering festivalgoers a unique opportunity to engage with AANHPI communities, meet local partners, and discover the incredible talent of AANHPI artists from the Denver Metro Area.
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ANGLEA TEO BIO COMING SOON!
Stage Managers
Our Stage Managers are the heartbeat of each stage! They work directly with our incredible performers—whether it’s dance troupes, live bands, or cultural showcases—keeping the energy flowing and ensuring every performance runs smoothly on the Performing Arts, Band, and 360 Stages.
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A Colorado resident all my life, I've lived all along the Front Range but somehow, I've never been to the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. 2025 was the year I wanted to become more connected and engrained in the Asian community, so I decided to volunteer for CDB. As a graduate of CDB's Emerging Leaders Program, I wanted to give back to the organization that provided such an impactful program. I bring a passion for connecting people and exploring new methods for community-building. In my personal time, you can find me volunteering, spending quality time with my friends and partner, or snuggling up with one of my two kitties.
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Finance and Accounting Specialist with a degree in Accounting from Columbia College and Master in Business Administration from Regis University. Retired from both the US Navy and the Federal Government. Chairman of The Music Council for the Denver Art Society. Frontman, founder, song writer and guitar player for Pilot Haus (an original alternative rock band from Aurora, Colorado).
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Christina is a versatile, creative thinker who excels in collaborative settings and navigating ambiguous situations. She loves exploring fresh ideas, approaching challenges with creativity, and building meaningful connections with others. Deeply committed to the human experience, she thrives when fostering relationships to achieve common goals. Her passion for the arts and cultures has naturally guided her career toward the nonprofit sector, where she’s been able to blend her creativity with her dedication to making a positive impact.
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Carmeliza “Zha-Zha” dela Paz is a first-generation Filipino American continuing her family’s legacy of community leadership. A dedicated PASCO officer and active member of the Filipino community, she shares her culture through service and connection. Zha-Zha brings her leadership and organizational skills as a dentist to her role as Stage Manager for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival and has also emceed the Riverdale Regional Park Dragon Boat Regatta and Night Market. Together with her husband, Michael, and their sons, Dominic and Matteo, she continues to inspire the next generation to celebrate AANHPI culture with pride.
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Mr. Yun Wang is an attorney licensed to practice in the State of Colorado. Starting out as a prosecutor in Rural Colorado, he is now a Partner at Britt, Tshering and Wang, a full-service litigation firm providing legal services in general criminal defense, domestic relations, and real estate matters, with a particular focus on serving the Asian immigrant community. Originally from Shanghai, China, Mr. Wang grew up in Los Angeles, California before settling down in Colorado. An active member of Denver's Chinese-American community, Mr. Wang is eager to participate in community events; his hobbies include playing the piano, racing cars, and photography.
VIP/Hospitality - Dragon’s Den
The Dragon’s Den is our exclusive space for distinguished guests and valued sponsors to enjoy a premium festival experience just steps from the lively Band Stage. This shaded oasis offers a comfortable spot to relax, enjoy refreshments, and connect with fellow supporters—all while taking in the sights and sounds of the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival. It’s our special way of saying thank you to those who help make the magic of CDBF possible.
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I was born and raised in Fresno, CA, but I've spent the last 27 years living in the Denver-Metro area. I completed my undergraduate in Information Systems from the University of Colorado Denver. My professional career has been rooted in sales operations, with a recent specialization in partner operations. In my free time, I enjoy staying active and have recently got into gardening at my new house. I also volunteer with a nonprofit organization, the Hmong American Association of Colorado, dedicated to supporting our local Colorado Hmong community.
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Cameron is a non-profit arts and culture leader, a first generation Cambodian American, and an adoptee who grew up in Cheyenne, WY. He strives to lead with courage and curiosity, speaks from experience, brings humor, and conspires to co-create spaces of belonging.He has nearly a decade of experience in non-profit arts and culture. He is the Regional Engagement Manager for Creative West (formerly the Western States Arts Federation) where he leads and co-develops innovative programs to support capacity building at state arts agencies in the region and manages the organization’s consulting services. He serves on the boards of Art of the Rural and Colorado Dragon Boat. Prior to joining Creative West he was the Art Show Coordinator for the Cheyenne Frontier Days(™) Old West Museum and the statewide Wyoming History Day Coordinator at the American Heritage Center.Cameron has an BA/MA in History from the University of Wyoming. His thesis, Fantasy of the Last Khmer: French Representation of Cambodia in Colonial Institutions, 1863-1931, explores how architects of French colonialism used contact zones such as silent films, travel writing, the world's fairs, and cultural tourism to construct a uniquely French ideal of the Khmer. His graduate research was funded by the Sen. Malcolm Wallace Fund for Conversations on Democracy and the Dick and Lynne Cheney Study Abroad Grant. He received the UW Dean's Award for Outstanding Graduate Research (2017). He is an alumnus of Colorado Business Committees for the Arts Leadership Arts (2023-2024) and the WESTAF Emerging Leaders of Color (2021).Cameron and his partner reside in Aurora with their four cats.
Haiku Contest
Our Haiku Contest Facilitator helps bring creativity to life at the festival! This volunteer works with participants, coordinates entries, and supports our celebration of community through poetry. From organizing submissions to engaging with guests at the festival, the Haiku Facilitator helps make this beloved tradition a meaningful and inspiring part of CDBF.
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Morgan believes poetry can heal the world. Poetry brings communities together by showing us we are more alike than different, which fosters empathy, compassion, and unity.
Morgan Liphart’s poetry has appeared in anthologies and journals across the US, Canada, Italy, Sweden, Japan, England, and Scotland, such as Oxford University Press’ Literary Imagination, Poetry Scotland, PopShot Quarterly, Santa Fe Literary Review, and The Asahi Shimbun. Her poetry book, Barefoot and Running, was a finalist for the Colorado Book Award. She is the host of the writing podcast, The Quiet Alchemist, and the teacher of Poetry Masterclass: Writing and Publishing Powerful Poetry in Journals and Magazines. When she’s not writing, she enjoys her career as an attorney and surrounding herself with nature in the mountains.
She is thrilled to be facilitating this contest to teach about the art of the haiku and uplift the voices of AAPI community in Colorado.
You can find her on Instagram at @mliphart and on TikTok at @thequietalchemistpodcast.
Race Commitee
The Race Committee keeps the heart of the festival beating on the water! This dedicated team works behind the scenes and along the shoreline to coordinate teams, manage race logistics, and ensure every heat runs smoothly and safely. From start to finish, they help bring the excitement and spirit of dragon boat racing to life for paddlers and spectators alike.
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Stephanie has been a part of the dragon boat community for over two decades, beginning as a paddler with her family on the PASCO Fighting Dragons team. What started as a shared family activity soon grew into a deep passion for the sport and the sense of community it fosters.
Today, Stephanie serves as the Race Director for the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival (CDBF), where she oversees the coordination and safety of races that bring together teams from across the region. Her thoughtful leadership and attention to detail help ensure a seamless and exciting race experience for paddlers and spectators alike.
Outside of the festival, Stephanie brings years of professional experience in billing, accounts receivable and payable, and administrative operations. Her strong organizational skills, commitment to teamwork, and focus on relationship-building make her an integral part of the festival’s success both on and off the water.
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Freddie has been an IT Professional for over 30 years and has been working at AT&T in emerging technologies for over 17 years. Freddie served as the Vice President of Operations at Colorado Dragon
Boat Alliance (CODA) for four years and worked extensively with CDBF during his term with CODA.
Freddie is also the coach/captain for the Agua Libre dragon boat team which is made up of parents, faculty, students, and friends of Denver Language School.
Freddie is an alumni of Texas A&M University – Whoop! He also holds several IT related certifications.
In his free time, Freddie helps with training other dragon boat teams in the Colorado area. Freddie is very passionate about dragon boating and has attended several dragon boat camps and also participates in several festivals nationally and internationally. Freddie also volunteers his time with Scouting BSA and training youth karate students at his home dojo, Colorado Budokan.
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Jeff Dang is a dynamic leader, driven by his unwavering commitment to community and personal development. Serving as the former President of the Colorado Dragon Boat Alliance (CODA), Jeff was instrumental in spearheading the organization's inception in 2017. Drawing from his extensive background as both a paddler and a coach for the last 13 years, Jeff cultivated an environment within CODA that not only thrived on the water but also nurtured individual growth and camaraderie.
Currently, Jeff serves as the Coach of Team RPT (Relentless Positive Thinking), embodying the ethos of optimism and resilience both on and off the dragon boat. Alongside his role as a Partner Enablement Lead at Oracle, Jeff continues to inspire and empower others, fostering a culture of collaboration and boundless potential.
Festival Contractors
Productions Coordinator: Pamelah Maragh - Owner, Siteline Events
Pamelah has a BFA from the California Institute of the Arts, and is a multifaceted artist: she's a teacher, dancer, drummer, festival event planner, stage manager who manages CDBF's production logistic from stages and sound to duct tape and cord ties. She's also performed with her African drum troupe at the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival.
Taste of Asia Coordinator: Andreas Furness - Owner, Classic Events & Consulting Services
Andrea has worked in the events industry in Colorado since 2005, when she joined the staff of Capitol Hill United Neighborhoods, to help produce the annual Capitol Hill People's Fair. Andrea has also produced or been part of the production team of other major events and festivals in Colorado, including the Highlands Street Fair, Denver Burger Battle, Cherry Creek Arts Festival, Boulder Creek Festival, Mile High 420 Festival, and others.
Prior to working in the events industry, Andrea spent eight years working in sports public relations, first for the Colorado Rapids Soccer Team, and then for the Colorado Avalanche Hockey Club. During her time in sports, she assisted in producing several major fundraisers and community events.
A Colorado native, Andrea grew up in the Hilltop neighborhood and attended George Washington High School. She earned two bachelor's degrees from the University of Colorado at Boulder, one in Journalism/News Editorial with an emphasis in Public Relations, and one in Communications with a Minor in Political Science.