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Denver Public Schools Foundation Names

New President and CEO

DENVER, March 16, 2009 – The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Foundation has named Kristin Heath Colon as its new president and CEO.

Colon brings to the DPS Foundation deep experience in education fundraising. She served for 14 years with the University of Colorado Foundation, where she provided management of the major gifts program for Colorado Athletics. Most recently, Colon served as vice president and chief marketing officer at Além International Management in Louisville, Colorado, where she led business development efforts – including a contract with the Denver 2008 Host Committee allowing Além to serve as the event coordinator for the 10,000-person media welcome party and the Green Sunday Concert among other events during the Democratic National Convention. Colon also previously served as director of donor relations for Mile High United Way.

“Kristin not only has exceptional fundraising and management skills, but she also has a passion for education,” said Kristin Richardson, chair of the DPS Foundation board of directors. “We are confident that she will skillfully lead the DPS Foundation in its efforts to drive community investment in our schools.”

“The DPS Foundation is a key partner to the school district as we continue to seek community support for strategic reform efforts that are driving student achievement,” said Tom Boasberg, superintendent of Denver Public Schools. “We welcome Kristin’s leadership at the DPS Foundation and look forward to working together in transforming DPS into the best urban school district in the country.”

Colon is a Colorado native. She serves on the board of Big Brothers and Big Sisters of Colorado. She and her husband, Eric, are the parents of two boys: a kindergartener and a third grader.

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation
The DPS Foundation raises funds in support of the district’s ambitious education reform plan to improve student achievement. The DPS Foundation supports programs such as principal leadership development, resources for teachers and classrooms, and after-school and summer enrichment programs. Our vision is a community dedicated to making DPS the leading big-city school district in the country, where all students receive a first-rate education and graduate with the knowledge, talent, and confidence to become future leaders. For more information, visit www.dpsfoundation.org.

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Contact: Natalie Wilkins
720-423-3877
nwilkins@dpsfoundation.org
www.dpsfoundation.org