Background
(She/her) I’m originally from Denver, (so is my husband, so are my kids, and maybe my tortoise.) I love everything about this beautiful state!
For nearly 25 years, I have been honored to be part of the Denver philanthropic sector, collaborating with generous donors and dedicated nonprofits to inspire change in our community. Over the years, I've secured nearly $40 million in charitable gifts, coached countless community leaders and teams to deepen relationships with stakeholders, and establish successful fundraising programs.
I attended the University of Colorado at Boulder and after graduation, was introduced to the power of philanthropy and started as a major gifts officer at CU Boulder before transitioning to a small nonprofit in the workplace giving arena, Community Shares of Colorado, where I served as their first development director.
I “grew up” as a nonprofit leader at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains where I moved up the organization to oversee the major gifts and political giving teams. I received the Development Professional Award from our national organization, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, in large part due to my work managing a ballot initiative campaign.
At Colorado Public Radio, I established a sophisticated major gifts program built on portfolio segmentation, metrics and relationship-focused moves management. I launched a feasibility study and campaign plan to establish beat reporting initiatives and collected treasured tote bags and CPR coffee mugs.
For nearly a decade, I served as Philanthropy Director at Children's Hospital Colorado Foundation, securing over $25 million for pediatric clinical care and research and participated in a comprehensive campaign raising over $420 million for Children's Hospital Colorado. I was fortunate enough to work with donors contributing 4-figure gifts up to 7-figure gifts, all making a meaningful impact on child health. During this time, I dived into professional development and served as Board Member and President for the Association of Fundraising Professionals Colorado Chapter and as a mentor for 6 graduates of DU’s Institute for Leaders in Development Program.
As part of this professional development, I've been exploring more deeply my own privilege, white fragility and the role philanthropy plays in sustaining white supremacy. It's been a journey and a trail I'm committed to staying on. Applying an equity lens to charitable giving is very important to me and I welcome (and pursue) these conversations. If you've read a great book recently, or heard a podcast on this subject, I'd love to hear about it.
The last couple of years have introduced a new challenge - professionally and personally. Like millions of others, I'm battling Long Haul Covid. This wretched mystery put my personal and professional life on hold. As I return to the workforce, I've been introduced to the joys of consulting - meeting new people, organizations and opportunities to make a difference in my community. I've learned to put my health and family first, to embrace the unpredictability of this condition, and take each day as it comes. It is especially gratifying to put my skills and expertise towards missions that shine a light on communities and causes often forgotten or dismissed, I know a taste of that experience on my Long Haul journey. Everyone should be seen, feel valued and offered opportunities to pursue their dreams.
I've got a fantastic family and supportive circle of friends. I'm honored to serve on the Board for the Center for Work Education and Employment (CWEE) and the External Affairs committee at Brent's Place. Both organizations fill my cup and inspire me to stretch - personally and professionally. I'm a former trail runner (now hiker), open-water swimmer (now stand-up paddleboarder) and mom to two teens who like me most of the time.