Board spotlight: Meet Conrrado Saldivar

The Natrona Collective Health Trust board is representative of the diverse voices of Natrona County. Over the coming months, we’ll be introducing you to our board members through a series of Board Spotlight blogs. See a full listing of board members on our “Who we are” page.

No matter where life takes Conrrado Saldivar, Natrona County has a way of calling him home. “I’ve felt the desire to leave more than once—and even did, briefly,” he says, “but something always brings me back.” For Conrrado, that something is the community itself: the people, the connections, and the shared sense of belonging that continues to shape his personal and professional journey.

Born and raised in Casper, Conrrado is the son of Mexican immigrants who settled here over 40 years ago. “My siblings and I were all born here,” he says, “and now we have dozens of aunts, uncles, and cousins who call Casper home.”

As the Tech Services Manager at the Natrona County Library, Conrrado has spent years connecting with people from every corner of the community. “I’ve seen people on their absolute best days—and people who were down on their luck. The Library is one of those rare places where everyone belongs, and no two days look the same.”

That perspective is a big part of what led him to join the board of the Natrona Collective Health Trust. Conrrado began his board service in 2023 and recently became the Program Committee Chair. This position allows him to be at the heart of the Trust’s work, which reflects his commitment to the community.

“The (Health Trust) guiding principle that really stood out to me was ‘Center on Community,’” he says. “Working at the Library, I’ve seen firsthand how important that focus is. I felt like I could bring an additional perspective to the board—one rooted in lived experience.”

Conrrado holds degrees in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Wyoming, and a Master’s in Library and Information Science from the University of Washington, where he now also serves as Guest Faculty. Conrrado was Wyoming’s Librarian of the Year in 2020 and was recently elected as an American Library Association Councilor at Large.

But he’s not all books and technology—he’s also a musician, playing alto sax with the Casper Community Band during the school year. “It’s a great way to disconnect from work and just focus on playing music with dozens of other musicians,” he says. When he’s not performing, you might find him playing volleyball or softball with friends and family—“It’s always a good time, even when we lose,” he laughs.

Along with his connection to the community, Conrrado brings personal life experience to his board service. “Back in 2015, I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer,” he shares. “I really struggled with my mental and emotional health, and my financial health tanked on top of it. I had a strong support system, but I know that’s not the case for everyone. When the Trust was formed, I was excited for the support it could give to the many organizations who work on the various aspects of what it means to be ‘healthy.’”

For Conrrado, “health and wellbeing” means thinking beyond the present moment. “It’s about working on the now, while also ensuring the generations that come after us are set up for success,” he says. “Many of the issues we face as adults are tied to things we experienced as kids. If we tackle those early on, we have a better chance at being holistically healthy individuals.”

Whether through his work at the Library, his volunteer efforts with organizations like Casper Pride and the American Cancer Society’s Relay for Life, or simply being a helpful presence in the Spanish-speaking community, Conrrado is always looking for ways to create bridges. “Being bilingual has been such a blessing,” he says. “Whether at work or just around town, I get to help people navigate the community in ways that make them feel seen and supported.”

Looking ahead, Conrrado sees real potential in the Trust’s focus on youth mental health. “The Youth Mental Health Collective is setting the stage for long-term systems change,” he says. “And the partner organizations involved are dedicated and driven. We’re building something that can have a real impact for years to come.”

And even though he doesn’t have kids of his own, Conrrado says he sees the future every day. “I see it in my nieces and nephews, and in all the kids who walk through the library doors. The work the Trust is doing is helping build lifelong health for them—and for everyone who comes after us.”