Staff
Ryan Biehle, MPA, MPH, CAE
CEO and Executive Vice President
303-696-6655 x 1
ryan@coloradoafp.org
Ryan is the CEO and Executive Vice President at the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians. He joined the CAFP staff in July 2015 and assumed this position in October 2020.
Ryan holds a Dual Master of Public Health and Public Administration through the University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz. He received his B.A. in Political Science and English from the University of Colorado at Boulder. He is a Certified Association Executive (CAE) through the American Society of Association Executives.
Prior to joining CAFP, Ryan worked as the Policy and Legislative Associate for a Colorado consumer advocacy organization to advance equitable access to health care. In previous roles, he served in U.S. Senator Mark Udall’s Washington, D.C. office where he worked in constituent correspondence and communications on issues including health care and education.
Ryan grew up on the Western Slope of Colorado and enjoys road cycling, skiing and golf. He currently lives in Denver with his daughter, Laila, and partner Stephanie, who is a family physician practicing in Aurora.
Erin Watwood
Director of Education, Events & Meetings
303-696-6655 x 3
erin@coloradoafp.org
Erin M. Watwood is the Director of Education, Events, and Meetings at the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians. She joined the CAFP staff in April 2013.
Erin holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications, minoring in Meetings and Special Events, from Metropolitan State College of Denver.
She previously worked for Consensus Medical Communications, a Medical Education company, as a Medical Education Meeting Planner. Her strengths revolve around her customer service skills, attention to detail, and her 20 plus years of experience planning meetings.
Erin resides in Parker with her husband Brad, son Brooks (10), and daughter Presley (7). She is also a stepmother to Kendal (23) who is currently attending the University of Wisconsin at Oshkosh. She enjoys cheering on the local sports teams, attending concerts, listening to podcasts, and spending time with her family.
Neal K. Walia, MPA, MCJ
Director of Policy & Government Relations
720-248-7725
neal@coloradoafp.org
Neal K. Walia is the Director of Policy and Government Relations at the Colorado Academy of Family Physicians (CAFP). He joined CAFP in 2024.
Neal holds a Dual Master’s Degree in Public Administration and Criminal Justice from theUniversity of Colorado Denver. He also received a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science and International Affairs from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Prior to joining CAFP, Neal served as Deputy Director of the Asian Pacific Development Center (APDC), a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing culturally competent health and education services to New American communities across Colorado. Neal also spent five years in Washington, D.C. on Capitol Hill, where he worked for the National Governors Association and Quorum Analytics. He began his career in public service as a staffer to U.S. Senator and former Colorado Governor, John Hickenlooper.
Neal grew up in Highlands Ranch, Colorado and enjoys playing soccer, watching anime, and spending time with family and friends. Neal currently resides in Denver and is married to his college sweetheart, Naveen.
Emily Bishop
Director of Communications & Member Engagement
303-696-6655 x 4
emily@coloradoafp.org
Emily Bishop joined the CAFP team as Director of Communications and Member Engagement in 2022.
Emily holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Middle Eastern Studies and English from Fairfield University, where she first became interested in helping communities navigate the systems that so often perpetuate privilege.
Prior to joining the team, Emily worked as the Director of Government Affairs at the state medical society, advocating on behalf of Colorado physicians and their patients. She also previously worked for AMC Outdoors, the in-house magazine for the Appalachian Mountain Club.
Emily lives in Denver with her partner, cat, and dog. She enjoys spending her free time in the pottery studio, hiking, and volunteering as a Court Appointed Special Advocate.