Team and Board
It takes all of us to ensure our students thrive.
The Denver Public Schools Foundation team is comprised of dedicated and mission-driven individuals who believe that when students succeed, we all benefit. It takes all of us to ensure our students, educators and families are supported so that our city may thrive. Meet the staff and board members who propel this work forward below.
Staff
The DPS Foundation team is made up of passionate, hardworking individuals who make this critical work possible.
Sara Hazel
President & CEO
About Sara
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Sara Hazel (she/her/hers) is the President & CEO at the Denver Public Schools Foundation. Sara is a proud DPS parent, advocate for public education, and a community builder. She has 20 years of nonprofit development and leadership experience. Sara has worked at global, national, and local organizations, including The Red Cross, The American Cancer Society, and Girls Inc. of Metro Denver.
Sara joined the DPS Foundation in May of 2020 as the Vice President of Development & Impact, and also served as our Interim CEO from June 2021-February 2022. Sara was appointed our President & CEO on February 1, 2024. In all of her roles, Sara has held management and leadership responsibilities and loves to build and work with exceptional teams, while challenging current systems and fostering growth through collaboration and innovation. She loves the nonprofit sector and fundraising because of a desire for social justice and the ability to help donors navigate a path to support a mission that they can impact. Locally, Sara is involved in many organizations including as a Board of Directors Member for City Year Denver, serving on the Denver Women’s Commission, and is an alumnus of Metro Denver Chamber Leadership Foundation Leadership Denver Class of 2020. Sara was awarded the prestigious Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award in 2022. When Sara is not raising money for humanitarian causes, Sara is an avid reader, aspiring writer, and enjoys Kansas City BBQ. She loves spending time in the Colorado mountains, traveling, watching Kansas Jayhawks basketball, and spending quality time with her husband, friends, and chasing around her DPS kiddo. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that the DPS Foundation can accelerate progress and be a catalyst for change in the district, and every child deserves an opportunity for high-quality education.
Angelica Garcia
Communications Manager
About Angelica Garcia
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe our city is strengthened by every student who graduates prepared to lead a successful life. We invest in accelerating progress, connect the community to classrooms, and inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Angelica Garcia joined DPS Foundation in August 2025 as Communications Manager. In this role, she leads the organization’s communications and public relations strategy and serves as the lead storyteller. She oversees digital and print content, donor appeals, impact reports, and media relations - all guided by a student-centered, equity-focused lens. Before stepping into this position, Angelica served as Community Partnerships Manager, where she expanded youth programming and workforce initiatives. She developed recruitment campaigns that boosted participation, built strong relationships with schools, nonprofits, and community leaders, and provided reporting and recommendations that informed organizational growth and impact. Angelica is passionate about equity-centered storytelling and creative community engagement. She is committed to amplifying the voices of DPS students and families and is excited to bring her background in advocacy, collaboration, and strategic communications to advance the Foundation’s mission.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because every student deserves the chance to be a leader in their own story.
MaryBeth Lawson
Vice President of Development
About MaryBeth
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. MaryBeth Lawson is the Vice President of Development at the Denver Public Schools Foundation. In this role, she designs and executes comprehensive development programs to support the long-term vision and annual fundraising goals of DPS Foundation while supporting the talented fundraising and development team. She has nearly 15 years of experience helping folks accomplish their philanthropic goals while strengthening the support for and awareness of programs, missions, and goals. Prior to joining the Denver Public Schools Foundation, MaryBeth supported the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work as their Executive Director of Development, and was part of several municipal teams and nonprofit organizations, including the American Red Cross. In her spare time, she enjoys reading, exploring the playgrounds, parks, and cultural institutions of Denver with her two daughters, and cheering on her Colorado Buffaloes with her husband. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that public schools and public education are a city’s greatest asset and investing in them makes the city I love better and stronger.
Lauren Lindgren
Development Officer, Grants & Foundation Relations
About Lauren
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Lauren Lindgren joined the Denver Public Schools Foundation in January 2019. She comes to the DPS Foundation with over 10 years of experience with grant writing and management across a variety of sectors. Most recently, she worked at STRIVE Prep as Director of Development, and prior to that, at ZIM Consulting as Director of Grants. Lauren’s favorite part of her job is making successful connections between a funder and a program. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in the mission of the DPS Foundation because education is a right for all students.
Jenny Martin
Director of Development
About Jenny
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Jenny Martin joined the DPS Foundation in 2021 as the Development Officer, and today she serves as Director of Development. In this role, she supports DPS Foundation’s fundraising efforts by cultivating partnerships with individual and corporate partners, leading DPS Foundation's Development Committee, and drives development operations, including annual giving and donor stewardship. Prior to joining the DPS Foundation, Jenny taught elementary school. In 2018, she transitioned out of the classroom and into fundraising, discovering a passion for supporting child development by connecting others to mission driven work. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that every child is an extraordinary individual deserving an extraordinary education.
Jennifer Mays-Krimmer
Impact Engagement Director
About Jennifer
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Jennifer Mays-Krimmer joined DPS Foundation in September 2023 as the Grant Engagement Manager. In her current role as the Impact Engagement Director, Jen continues to run all of the Foundation's grantmaking to schools and serves as the primary contact for DPS. She is also responsible for taking all of the Foundation's data to determine our impact, as well as to help guide our strategy for investment in the future. Jen's favorite part of her job is working to positively impact student outcomes and build relationships with school staff in order to provide resources and connections to support their work. Prior to joining the DPS Foundation, Jen worked in public education in Southern Oklahoma for eight years as a teacher, and then later in the central administration office. She worked as an Intervention Coordinator for the past four years implementing integrated MTSS throughout her district with a focus on mental health supports in schools. Much of this work consisted of writing and managing a series of grants for different school sites in the district and providing training and resources to the staff at those sites. Jen also provided technical support for grants to other school districts in Oklahoma and state-wide trainings through her work with the Oklahoma State Department of Education. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that children are the future leaders of our country and every student deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Ashley Muramoto
Vice President of Marketing and Communications
About Ashley
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Ashley Muramoto came to the DPS Foundation in 2015. Today she serves as the Vice President of Marketing & Communications. In this role, Ashley serves as chief impact articulator, creating powerful messaging and materials targeted to help the community understand the deep need for their support and the tangible and ongoing outcomes of their investment in DPS. She works to conceptualize, strategize and implement the DPS Foundation’s fundraising campaigns and events. Ashley’s favorite part of her job is getting to build firsthand relationships with students and assessing how to leverage resources and opportunities to ensure all students have a quality education. Prior to joining the DPS Foundation, Ashley worked as the Email Marketing Manager for a financial and insurance marketing agency, where she managed all internal and external marketing efforts, initiated the launch and creation of a new self-service email marketing platform to create additional sales revenue, managed the design team, and oversaw the company’s website redesign. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that children are the future leaders of our country and every student deserves the opportunity to receive a quality education.
Crystal Noonan
Executive Support Manager
About Crystal Noonan
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. As Executive Support Manager, Crystal brings over two decades of cross-sector experience supporting mission-driven organizations, creative teams, and executive leaders. Crystal’s career began in the arts, supporting the leadership of the Walker Art Center during its landmark expansion. Since then, she has held roles spanning nonprofit finance, operations, and communications. Her background also includes office management, HR support, event planning, and systems implementation—making her a natural fit for the hybrid role she holds today. In each position, she has been known for her resourcefulness, eye for detail, and ability to bring calm order to fast-moving environments. At DPS Foundation, Crystal supports the President & CEO and Executive Leadership Team, manages internal systems and day-to-day operations, and helps create a strong and inclusive team culture. She’s the logistical engine behind many of the Foundation’s board meetings, staff events, and partner communications. When she’s not fine-tuning processes or championing behind-the-scenes impact, Crystal enjoys road trips, live music, and a well-designed space.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that the DPS Foundation can accelerate progress and be a catalyst for change in the district, and every child deserves an opportunity for high-quality education.
Samantha Rogan
Events Manager
About Samantha
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Samantha Rogan is the Events Manager for the Denver Public Schools Foundation, having joined the team in March 2022. In this role, Samantha works closely with all Development and Communications/Marketing team members to lead all event planning, budgeting, logistics management and execution. This includes managing all logistical planning aspects of DPS Foundation's two signature events: the annual Achieve Gala (1,000 attendee event raises nearly $1 million), Back to Class Bash (on-site school volunteer event, and 5k/Fun Run). Samantha comes to the DPS Foundation from the Colorado Avalanche Alumni Association, where she served as the Manager of Digital Content. Prior to that, she worked for five years as the Assistant Manager/Event Planner for Western Golf Hospitality where she managed the planning, logistics and execution for all on-site events such as golf tournaments, birthday parties, reunions, and fundraising initiatives.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I believe that every child deserves the opportunity for a high-quality education as they grow and develop into the future leaders of our society.
Erin Shelby
Senior Development Specialist
About Erin
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Erin Shelby is the Senior Development Specialist for the Denver Public Schools Foundation, having joined the team in October 2022. In this role, Erin manages our annual giving fundraising, donor stewardship events, and supports gift management. She also maintains Development team systems. Prior to joining the DPS Foundation, Erin worked in both the nonprofit and political spaces. She managed multiple local campaigns and worked as a Legislative Aide at the Colorado House of Representatives. When Erin is not at work, she is probably trying new Denver restaurants, playing pickleball, or snuggled up with her cat and a book. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in the mission of the DPS Foundation because every child deserves a quality education that is able to make space for big dreams, community involvement, and steadfast support.
Jennifer Struthers-Johnson
Finance Controller
About Jennifer
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Jennifer Struthers-Johnson is the Finance Controller for the Denver Public Schools Foundation, joining the team in April 2023. In this role, she manages the finances of the DPS Foundation, which includes maintaining and analyzing financial reports, budgets, federal and state compliance, grant reporting, and internal controls. Prior to joining the DPS Foundation, Jennifer worked for the last 16 years in public accounting, specializing in nonprofit and 401(k) audit and consulting. Jennifer is a CPA and comes to the DPS Foundation after a 20-year career in accounting. Volunteering with nonprofits is a passion for Jennifer; she has been on the board of multiple nonprofits in past years including the Denver Professional Chapter of Engineers Without Borders, Young Women on the Move, and the Busan International Women's Association (South Korea). She has also completed volunteer projects with Christmas in October, Project Change KC, and Habitat for Humanity. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because I love seeing the impact of the DPS Foundation's contributions on the Denver Public Schools.
Valeria Serrano Vélez
Grantmaking & Program Manager
About Valeria Serrano Vélez
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Valeria Serrano Vélez (she/her) joined the DPS Foundation in August 2025 as the Grantmaking & Program Manager. In this role, she supports programs that center students, families, and educators across the district—working to increase access, amplify community voice, and expand opportunity. Valeria brings nearly a decade of experience leading programs in nonprofit and arts-focused spaces. Prior to joining DPS Foundation, she worked as an arts consultant and curator, partnering with city agencies, community organizations, and schools to design inclusive public art programs and engagement initiatives. She’s managed complex, multi-stakeholder projects, mentored early-career creatives, and helped institutions build more community-rooted and equitable practices. Valeria is passionate about public education, student voice, and systems-level impact. She’s excited to bring her background in advocacy and cross-sector collaboration to the Foundation’s work.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe in our mission because creating opportunity starts with investing in students, families, and the systems that support them.
Board of Directors
The Denver Public Schools Foundation Board of Directors consists of business and community leaders, as well as non-voting representative(s) from the DPS School Board of Education who believe that every student deserves an excellent education so that they may become leaders, change-makers and societal contributors.
Dr. Rebecca Grant Zarret | Chair
Rebecca Grant Zarret Coaching & Retreats
About Rebecca
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Rebecca Grant Zarret, Ed.D. is an education professional with nearly thirty years of experience in the field. Throughout her career, she has demonstrated a strong commitment to improving education in various capacities, spanning from early childhood education to K-12 to higher education. Currently, Rebecca's primary focus is on supporting the growth and development of leaders. As an executive coach, she leverages her expertise to work with school and district leaders across both public and private institutions, ECE-12, providing one-to-one coaching. In addition, Rebecca hosts and facilitates leadership team retreats and mindfulness retreats in Denver and at a private retreat space in Conifer, Colorado.
Before transitioning to coaching, Rebecca spent nearly a decade in school district administration, holding leadership roles in three large, urban school districts and serving as a consultant for schools, districts, organizations, and state-level institutions. This breadth of experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the challenges faced by educational institutions at various levels. She has also contributed to the academic development of aspiring leaders through her work as an instructor at the University of Colorado Denver, where for five years she has taught research methods to doctoral students in the education leadership program.
Rebecca's passion for supporting leaders was sparked during her time in Harvard University’s Urban Superintendents Program, where she conducted doctoral research on leadership and adult development. Her graduation from this program in June 2016 further solidified her expertise in these areas. She received her executive coaching certification from Northwestern University in 2020.
Early in her career, Rebecca taught middle school science in locations as diverse as rural northern California and New York City. These experiences continue to serve as a critical foundation for her leadership and advocacy work in education. In addition to her current roles, Rebecca actively contributes to civic life through her participation on the Board of Directors for the Denver Public Schools Foundation, Colorado Outward Bound School, Luminary Learning Network, and Ekar Farm and Community Gardens; she is also a member of the 50th Class of Leadership Denver. Rebecca lives in Denver, Colorado and enjoys adventuring with her husband and two sons, taking care of their abundant plant and animal life, and spending time in nature.
Carmon Hicks | Immediate Past Chair
Senior Managing Director, Jones Lang LaSalle
About Carmon
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education. Carmon Hicks is a member of Denver’s Logistics & Industrial Services team specializing in owner-user sales, leasing, investment dispositions and acquisitions of industrial land and buildings. With more than 15 years of experience, Carmon’s depth of knowledge and expertise in warehouse distribution, logistics and supply chain management uniquely positions him to deliver best-in-class results for his clients. Carmon has built strong relationships with institutional, regional, local and national corporate clients. Carmon is currently involved in numerous organizations including JLL’s Supply Chain and Logistics Practice group, DMCAR, NAIOP, SIOR and serves as a board member for Denver Public Schools Foundation and American Cancer Society. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. As a member of the Denver community and as someone who grew up in a public school system, I am passionate about supporting children and education. The mission of the DPS Foundation aligns with where I would like to devote my time and energy. I feel I could be an integral part of an organization that helps to positively impact the lives of children and the community that supports the children.
Michael Kapoor | Chair-Elect
Senior Vice President of Majestic Realty Co.
About Michael
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Michael is the Vice President of Majestic Realty’s Colorado office. He oversees all development, leasing and asset management at the 1,600-acre Majestic Commercenter business park in Aurora, CO, representing over 10 million square feet of industrial and retail projects. Michael’s role also includes primary responsibility for new development and acquisition projects throughout the Midwest region.
Prior to joining Majestic, Michael was at the law firm of Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck, LLP, representing many owners, developers, lenders, landlords and tenants. He is a graduate of the University of Toledo College of Law and is a member of the State Bar of Colorado.
Michael has served on various boards and committees, including the Rocky Mountain PBS Community Advisory Board, the Colorado Lawyer Committee Housing Task Force, and the Majestic Foundation. Michael competes on a national and international level in Ultimate Frisbee, having won gold at the World Championships in 2015 with Team USA and again representing America in 2022 in the Masters Division.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. As a product of public school education, I am a firm believer in the transformative role education plays for an individual and the community. The DPS Foundation provides a way to effectively connect our community with our classrooms and further advance this transformation. Raised by an immigrant college professor, I also know that strengthening and supporting our school system is critical to Denver’s (and America’s) future. I align with the Foundation’s mission, and want to contribute my time and talents to help provide opportunities and encouragement to DPS and the children that we serve.
*At-Large Member, Executive Committee
Nancy Walsh | Secretary
Vice President of Experiences & Partnerships, Denver Museum of Nature & Science
About Nancy
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Nancy Walsh is Vice President of Experiences and Partnerships at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where she is responsible for the vision, creative direction, and oversight of innovative and engaging exhibitions and programs, as well as local and national partnerships with non-profit and community organizations. She is passionate about the vibrancy of all local communities as well as access to Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math, especially for students.
Nancy is the Vice President lead for the Museum’s No Walls Initiative, which has increased both the number and diversity of people who connect with the Museum around nature and science in ways that are meaningful to them and in places that matter to them.
She has been involved as a mayoral appointee on the Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs and serves on the boards of the Denver Public Schools Foundation, the Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, the Art Students League of Denver, and CherryArts and is a member of the International Women’s Forum of Denver.
Nancy and her husband Ted Vial have three children whom have attended or currently attend schools in DPS including Teller Elementary, Morey Middle School, Denver School of the Arts and East High school.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. The work of the Denver Public Schools Foundation has never been more important than in this time of challenge and opportunity. As a board member, I will work diligently and creatively to ensure that the nimble, community-focused work of the DPS Foundation is successful. I am honored to help support this work to ensure that all students have the support they need to achieve their dreams. Our children are active students or alumni of DPS, so I am personally aware and grateful for the role public education can play as the basis of thriving communities.
Dan Galemba | Treasurer
Vice President of Revenue Strategy and Operations at DaVita
About Dan
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Dan is Vice President of Revenue Strategy and Operations at DaVita. In his role, Dan leads strategic, analytical, and operations teams responsible for driving profitable growth, ensuring patients have access to insurance choices best suited to them, and facilitating accurate payment. He works with stakeholders across DaVita and beyond to understand the impact of a changing healthcare landscape and to advocate for the rights of patients with kidney disease. He also serves on DaVita’s executive Diversity & Belonging Council and Village Giving Council with a specific focus on our education giving strategy.
Originally from the Denver area, Dan got his BA from Dartmouth College and his MBA from the Tuck School of Business. Prior to DaVita, Dan worked as a management consultant at Bain & Co. in Boston and Stockholm, with another year spent living with smugglers in Mexico and Guatemala (where his wife Rebecca was doing her dissertation fieldwork). In his free time, he enjoys hitting the slopes with his 12 and 8-year old girls, hiking, cycling (road and mountain), cooking, and generally enjoying Colorado.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I have long been passionate about education broadly, and education in Denver specifically. I have a vested interest: both my children have attended DPS schools (one currently), and I know – from personal experience, from study after study, and from working with Reading Partners of Colorado – how foundational pre-K through elementary education is to success beyond. But I have a bigger why as well: I grew up in the Denver area, and I love this city. It is so unique… and we import too much of our talent (speaking for myself in my role at DaVita). If we better position our students at every stage of their educational journey – up front, to get them on the right track, and at graduation, to position them for a career, we could do wonders in lifting up our entire community to fill the jobs that our community is creating. I can’t think of an institution better positioned to empower today’s youth to be tomorrow’s leaders of Denver and ensure that the city live continues to succeed and thrive than DPS, and the DPS Foundation.
Tyler Loy | At-Large Member of Executive Committee
Chief Financial Officer of The ONE Group
About Tyler
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Tyler Loy is the Chief Financial Officer of The ONE Group (NASDAQ: STKS), a global hospitality company headquartered in Denver, CO which owns and operates the restaurant brands STK and Kona Grill. He has served in that role since in March 2019 and was previously the company’s Vice President of Strategy and Measurement from September 2018.
From August 2016 to September 2018, Tyler was the Vice President of Finance for Pacific Bells, one of the largest franchisees of Taco Bell and Buffalo Wild Wings.
From May 2011 to August 2016, Tyler was with Einstein Noah Restaurant Group, a leader in the fast casual restaurant segment with brands such as Einstein Bros. Bagels, Noah’s Bagels, Bruegger’s Bagels and Manhattan Bagel Company. He held various finance and operational roles culminating in his role as Vice President, Catering Channel.
Tyler started his career with McCormick and Schmick’s Seafood Restaurants where he held various finance and operations roles.
Tyler lives in the Central Park neighborhood of Denver with his wife Beth, daughter Grace, and son Jack. Beth is a Group Fitness Instructor for the Denver Parks and Recreation Department. Grace and Jack are currently enrolled at Willow Elementary School.
Tyler and his family enjoy all that Denver and Colorado have to offer, including skiing, snowboarding, professional sporting events, art exhibits, concerts at Red Rocks, and of course, dining at great restaurants throughout the community.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives.
Kimberly Allegretti
President, Venn Travel Attorney, McCollum Crowley, Moschet, Miller & Laak
About Kimberly
Originally from Illinois, Kim moved to Colorado to attend law school at the University of Colorado, graduating in 1991. She has been an attorney or a judge for twenty-eight years and has also owned several local businesses including coffee and knitting shops and a travel company. Kim has also served on the Colorado Nursing Board and the Colorado Board of Social Work Examiners, as well as on the boards or executive committees of multiple non-profits and charitable foundations. She lives with her family just south of Denver and enjoys travel, skiing, hiking and photography.
Honorable Kim Allegretti was appointed to the Office of Administrative Courts in 2010. Judge Allegretti conducts hearings in workers' compensation, regulatory law and human services cases. She received her mediation training pursuant to the 40-hour course developed by the Colorado Bar Association Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. Judge Allegretti graduated from the University of Illinois in Champaign-Urbana in 1988. Previously, she was in private practice for nineteen years in the areas of general civil litigation and business transactional work.
Additionally Kim heads the Fred & Jean Allegretti Foundation and has been instrumental in awarding dollars to DPS Foundation.
Jamie Villarreal Bassett
Director, Culture & Engagement, Pinnacol Assurance
About Jamie
Jamie Villarreal-Bassett (she/her) is an experienced leader with twenty (20) years of leadership experience, including more than eight (8) years leading culture, engagement, equity, diversity, and inclusion work. As a Mexican American woman, Jamie has a proven track record of impactful contributions, driven leadership, and passion for ensuring team members are included, honored, and uplifted. Her personal and professional lived experiences have prepared her to excel in her 10+ year tenure in Denver Public Schools, most recently as the Director of Culturally Responsive Education and in her current role as Director of Culture and Engagement at Pinnacol Assurance, the largest workers’ compensation company in Colorado. Since January 2019, Jamie has also run her own DEI consulting business, assisting Colorado employers and beyond in advancing their DEI and culture goals. Jamie works to ensure every single team member and community member, especially those who are Black, Indigenous, People of Color, and of other marginalized identities thrive, not by accident, but by design.
Stacy Carpenter
Shareholder, Greenberg Traurig, LLP
About Stacy
Bio forthcoming
Mary Clark
Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor at the University of Denver
About Mary
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Mary Clark joined the University of Denver as Provost and Executive Vice Chancellor in July 2020, coming from American University in Washington, D.C., where she had served as Interim Provost, Deputy Provost, and Dean of Faculty. Mary also serves as a tenured full professor at DU’s Sturm College of Law, and before that, as a tenured full professor at American University’s Washington College of Law. Mary brings prior law teaching experiences from both Yale Law School and Georgetown University Law Center. Throughout her career, Mary has been actively involved in community service including as a member of the Council on Diversity and Equity, Washington Latin Public Charter School as well as the Middle States Reaccreditation Self-Study Team for Schools Without Walls, a magnet public high school in Washington D.C. Mary earned a J.D. from Harvard Law School and graduated magna cum laude from Bryn Mawr College, where she has served on the Board of Trustees for the past 11 years.
She is passionate about access to education and opportunity. As a proud graduate of the public school system, Mary raised her two sons (now 20) in the public school system in Washington, D.C. Mary is a lifelong educator, having served for over 20 years as a law professor and now as a senior university administrator, currently as Chief Academic Officer (Provost) at the University of Denver and previously as Interim Provost and Deputy Provost at American University.
Prior to her start as a law professor, Mary served as a civil rights attorney for a number of years, working principally on employment discrimination matters, but also on non-discrimination in school and college settings.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. I believe that access to excellent public education is foundational to our democracy and to the well-being of our society. I would be extraordinarily proud – and absolutely delighted – to serve on the DPS Foundation Board.
Allie Engelken
Vice President of Community Impact, Denver Broncos | Executive Director, Denver Broncos Foundation
About Allie
Bio Forthcoming
Joe Fortna
Executive Vice President at FirstBank
About Joe
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
What do you get when you combine a seminary trained pastor with a banker trained by CSU and FirstBank? You get me! Life is about who you are aligned with and I am blessed with great parents, a lovely wife with three beautiful daughters, I work for a great company and serve Denver’s best non-profit.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. My father graduated from Lincoln High School and Emily Griffith in the late 60’s. All three of my daughters attended Denver Public Schools as well. My wife is a teacher and we are believers in the concept and value of public education. My interest in the foundation board stems from a lifetime of curiosity and a desire to make things better in Denver. Positive change always starts with listening and learning and then looking for creative and effective solutions. My hope is that I can draw on my experience to make a positive impact and give back as a product of public education myself. Education is one of the main precursors to success in life so supporting equal access to quality education for all Denver students is a necessity
Alphonso Hawkins
Senior Vice President, US Bank
About Alphonso
Bio Forthcoming
Latia Henderson
Director of Strategic Communications & Informed Communities, Gates Family Foundation
About Latia
Latia Henderson is a strategic communications, marketing, events, and public relations expert with nearly 20 years of experience in nonprofit leadership and management. Born and raised in Colorado, she brings a deep understanding of the region and a wealth of expertise in developing and executing strategic communications, excelling in storytelling, brand development, digital strategy, media relations, and community engagement. Latia’s experience includes providing strategic direction and amplifying mission-driven initiatives. Most recently, Latia served as the Chief Engagement Officer for Denver Families for Public Schools. Before joining Denver Families, Latia worked for Denver Scholarship Foundation, Young Americans Center for Financial Education, Denver Public Schools Foundation, and Community Resource Center. She holds various leadership positions, including serving as the founding board chair of Wildflower Montessori Public Schools of Colorado, and is a member of The Communications Network’s local Denver chapter. Latia is also a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Incorporated, a Daniels Fund Scholar, and a magna cum laude graduate of Arizona State University with a degree in Nonprofit Leadership and Management and a minor in Business Administration.
As an executive professional with deep experience in community engagement, l'm eager to leverage my expertise to support the DPS Foundation board of directors. I believe I can contribute to the Foundation's success through positional messaging, compelling storytelling, and identifying the kind of information that will truly motivate and inspire the community, fostering both greater understanding and vital philanthropy for the Foundation's crucial work.
Sylvia Hilario
Corporate Controller at Burgerville LLC
About Sylvia
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Sylvia currently works as the Corporate Controller, Burgerville LLC, and most recently co-chaired our 2022 Achieve Gala alongside her husband Manny Hilario.
She is super passionate about education of underprivileged children as she is of Mexican descent, and is a product of public schools in NW Indiana. She is a financial wizard and was a CPA (not active), and used to audit non-profits when she worked for EY in Chicago including the endowment fund for her alma mater, the University Notre Dame. She has been an amazing influencer in our daughter Adriana’s career who currently is a second grade teacher for underprivileged kids in California, and will begin this June her second Master’s degree in education leadership at the University of Notre Dame. We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives.
Dr. Alex Marrero
Superintendent, Denver Public Schools
About Alex
Dr. Alex Marrero became superintendent of Denver Public Schools, Colorado’s largest school district, on July 6, 2021. Dr. Marrero leads with a vision of supporting students the way educators supported him growing up and into his career. As the child of a Cuban refugee and an immigrant from the Dominican Republic, Alex prides himself on representing many of the Latinx students in the communities he has served as a school leader and in district leadership positions. He attended New York City public schools, and began his education career there as well, serving as a guidance counselor, assistant principal and principal. He believes that every child can accomplish what he has, not only overcoming obstacles but being recognized as a leader in their chosen field.
His life experiences showed him both what a difference-maker a great education can be, and how shamefully different the opportunities are for Black and Brown students in a system of stark inequities. And he has made it his life’s work to–in his own words–“pursue equity and excellence for all students and help others see the diversity within our schools as a strength.”
Alex has been honored as an outstanding administrator by the Latino Caucus of the Council of School Supervisors and Administrators and inducted into the New York Academy of Public Education. He received a Leadership and Excellence in Education Award from the Association of Dominican-American Supervisors and Administrators and was recognized as a Latino Administrator of the Year by the Association for Latino Administrators and Superintendents.
In January 2020, Alex joined the City School District of New Rochelle as the Assistant Superintendent of Curriculum and Instruction. In September, he became the first Latinx head of the city’s school system, serving as acting and then interim superintendent. Prior to that, as Assistant Superintendent at East Ramapo Central School District, Alex supported schools into Good Standing and increased graduation rates.
Alex’s doctoral dissertation—Dominican Parents’ Involvement in Children’s College Aspirations and Achievement Motivation—speaks to his dedication and commitment to engaging families. His life exemplifies a bit of wisdom he borrows from Nelson Mandela; “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”
*Non-voting board member
Alanna McKiernan
Vice President and Regional Counsel at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado
About Alanna
Bio Forthcoming
Jonathan Narlock
Senior Vice President, PNC Public Finance Group
About Jonathan
Jonathan is a Senior Vice President for PNC's Public Finance team based in Denver. With over ten years banking experience, he is responsible for developing and managing PNC’s public finance practice across a multi-state region. Our team specializes in delivering financing, cash management, and investment strategies for state and local governments, higher education institutions, and non-profit organizations.
Prior to joining PNC in 2020, he served as a Vice President of Government Banking at Wells Fargo. Jonathan graduated from Hope College with a bachelor’s degree in Accounting. In addition, he holds FINRA Series 52 and Series 63 licenses and is a qualified Municipal Finance Professional.
Kelli Clifton Ogunsanya
Chief Operating Officer, Delta Dental of Colorado
About Kelli
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Kelli Clifton Ogunsanya serves as the Chief Operating Officer of Delta Dental of Colorado where she is responsible for claims processing operations, call center operations, project governance, and provider relations. Delta Dental of Colorado is the state's leading dental benefits company and the most experienced dental benefits provider serving over 1.5 million Coloradans with high-quality, cost-effective, evidenced-based dental plans.
Prior to her current role, Kelli served as the Chief Operating Officer of STRIDE Community Health Centers, a 600-staff Federally Qualified Health Center in Denver providing primary care, dental, and behavioral healthcare to more than 70,000 patients annually.
Before STRIDE, Kelli was a Client Executive for Optum, a division of UnitedHealthcare Group. In her role, Kelli served as a national partner to more than 12 primary care and specialty medical group leaders to improve chronic care management through risk adjustment strategies including patient activation, telehealth integration, point of care technology optimization. Kelli was the executive leader responsible for the business development, program management, and $20M implementation of California’s COVID-19 Electronic Lab Reporting System which enabled the State to accurately process and report COVID-19 results for more than 40M Californians during pandemic peak.
With leadership roles at PwC and The Advisory Board Company, Kelli's experience includes clinical documentation improvement, electronic health record (EHR) standardization and interoperability for the Department of Defense and Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). While at PwC, Kelli supported the planning and activation of new VA medical facilities and provided program management for the Sierra Leone Trial to Introduce a Vaccine against Ebola (STRIVE), a collaborative Phase 3 clinical trial between the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health and Sanitation.
Kelli earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Health at the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill and a Master of Health Administration degree from The Ohio State University College of Public Health. Internationally, she has studied and worked in South Africa, Liberia, and Ethiopia.
Dr. Carrie Olson
President, DPS Board of Education
About Carrie
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Dr. Olson received her B.A. in Elementary Education and Spanish from Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa in August 1985. She received her M.A. in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Language, Literacy, and Culture from the University of Colorado at Denver in August 1990. She also received her PhD in Curriculum and Instruction with an emphasis in Holocaust and Genocide Studies from the University of Denver in August 2016. Her dissertation, The Meaning of Educational Travel in the Lives of Urban Middle School Students: A Transformative Mixed Methods Study, examined quantitative data from DPS and qualitative data from interviews with former travelers and a focus group chaperones. In addition, she holds a Colorado Professional Master Teacher License and is a National Board Certified Teacher (Middle Childhood Generalist) since 1999. She certified in English Language Arts, Social Studies, Linguistically Different (ESL), and Spanish.
From 2004 – 2014, Dr. Olson held the position of Executive Director for the Kepner Educational Excellence Program, a supporting nonprofit of Kepner Middle School. KEEP supported student educational travel at Kepner Middle School and provided mini grants for teachers to assist in building relationships and strengthening academic achievement. From 1993 – 2014, she and her team traveled with over 800 students from the Westwood neighborhood to Washington, DC and Europe. Since 2006, she has been a Museum Teacher Fellow for the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and runs conferences and seminars for teachers and professors regarding Holocaust and genocide education, including the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and the Ministry of Education in El Salvador to train teachers in Holocaust and genocide education. In 2008, Dr. Olson began work with EF Tours as a Global Education Ambassador where she trained teachers and gave talks on her dissertation. Currently, she’s an independent consultant for the USHMM and Educators for International Human Rights. In addition, she’s an adjunct professor at the University of Denver in the Teacher Education Program.
Her daughter Ekaterina (Katya) is a DPS graduate attending Denison Montessori, Kepner Middle School and George Washington High School. Dr. Olson is a northern Minnesota native and loves to canoe in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area with Katya and her family. Other hobbies she enjoys when not working with her quirky adolescents, are reading while walking on her treadmill, spending time at a ranch, traveling anywhere, skiing in the beautiful mountains of Colorado, and cooking vegan food for anyone willing to try it.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. My 33 year career has included elementary, middle, and high school education. I am very excited to serve on the DPS Board of Education as I dedicated my entire adult life to teaching in Denver Public Schools.
*Non-voting board member
Marisa Carson, Ph.D.
Head of Talent Management, Global Product & Technology, Visa
About Marisa
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Marisa Carson is the Head of Talent Management and Learning for the Retirement and Wealth Management businesses at TIAA, a Fortune 100 financial services organization dedicated to serving the financial needs of people in academic, government, medical, cultural, and other nonprofit fields. Prior to joining TIAA, Marisa was in human capital consulting with Kenexa, an IBM Company, and with Strategic Management Decisions, a boutique human capital consulting firm. She has significant experience in the areas of talent acquisition, employee engagement, organizational design and effectiveness, performance management, leadership development, and succession planning. Having worked with organizations across the finance, utilities, healthcare, and nonprofit industries, she is skilled in implementing evidence-based talent management solutions that drive organizational performance.
Marisa is a co-author of Business-Focused HR: 11 Processes to Drive Results and has published several articles on leadership and employee development. She serves as Vice Chair of the Paddington Station Preschool Board of Trustees and Chair of the Paddington Station Head of School Search Committee. She is also a member of the Denver Public Schools Foundation Development Committee and a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber’s Impact Denver program. Marisa holds an M.S. in Industrial/Organizational Psychology and a Ph.D. in Organizational Science from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. As a Colorado native and proud product of the Colorado public education system, I am passionate about supporting public education. I believe a public education can prepare our children – academically, socially, and emotionally – for a bright future and I’m committed to investing my time and talent in helping to make DPS a place where all students can thrive.
Brandy Radey
Senior Advisor, Community Relations, Suncor
About Brandy
Bio Forthcoming
Dr. Ashlee Saddler
Partnership for Leaders in Education - District Support Chief, University of Virginia
About Ashlee
Dr. Ashlee Saddler serves as the District Support Chief for the University of Virginia’s Partnership for Leaders in Education (UVA-PLE). In this role, she partners with senior district leaders across the country to support schools in leveraging high quality instructional practices and creating systemic, sustainable change that improves student achievement. Ashlee also works as a leadership coach for the Public Education and Business Coalition (PEBC), where she facilitates engaging, timely, and interactive professional learning tailored to adult learners. With over 18 years of experience, Ashlee has held leadership roles including Director of Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Education, principal, and assistant principal in Aurora Public Schools. She is known for her work ethic, integrity, and infectious energy, which inspire those around her. Throughout her career, she has consistently upheld high expectations for herself and others. Ashlee began her career as a mental health professional, providing therapeutic services to students, children, and families. She earned a Master’s in Social Work from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has worked in the mental health field in Illinois, Indiana, and Colorado. She later earned a second Master’s degree in education from Colorado State University and completed her doctoral studies at Baylor University. Her research focused on professional learning for school principals. Through her consulting business, Ashlee provides leadership development for professionals across business, education, private, and nonprofit sectors. She also offers executive and health coaching. Ashlee enjoys delivering keynotes, facilitating learning experiences, mentoring aspiring leaders, and continuing her own leadership growth. In her free time, she can be found working out or traveling the world with her family.
After learning more about the composition of the Board, I am even energized by the opportunity to contribute. With a background rooted in both education and mental health, I bring a unique lens that I believe can deeply serve the Board’s mission. I am passionate about being part of the solution—ensuring that every student, regardless of their path, has equitable access to the tools, resources, and guidance they need to make empowered, informed decisions about their future.
David Salazar
Vice President of Sales & Marketing, Comcast
About David
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
David is currently the Vice President of Sales & Marketing for the Comcast Mountain West region. In this role since 2020, he is responsible for a residential customer base of ~ 2.4M customer relationships across a 4-state geography (CO, UT, NM, AZ) and leads a team of approximately 600 sales and marketing professionals. Primary accountabilities include customer experience, customer subscriber and revenue growth, acquisition, and retention as well as providing strategic and operational leadership for the region sales & marketing organization.
David joined Comcast in 2016 as the VP of Sales & Marketing for the Houston Region. Under his leadership, the Sales & Marketing team cared for and grew a customer base of 1.1M customer relationships and generated more than 900,000 new product sales annually while delivering best in company customer experience results.
Prior to joining Comcast David served as Vice President and General Manager for Coca-Cola Refreshments (Austin/San Antonio). In this role, he set the strategy and led the sales and operations for a market unit consisting of 1,200 team members across seven distribution/production centers.
Tony Salazar
Vice President for Outreach & Engagement, University of Colorado System
About Tony
Tony Salazar is the first vice president for outreach and engagement at the University of Colorado. Salazar is responsible for leading outreach and continued engagement efforts that strategically build and sustain relationships with key constituents in communities across Colorado and beyond. Salazar is an experienced nonprofit and for-profit C-suite executive. He served as the chief affiliate officer for the National Education Association (NEA) Member Benefits Corp., an affinity marketing company based in Gaithersburg, Maryland. Salazar also served as the executive director of the Colorado Education Association (CEA), the state’s largest labor union with over 38,000 members at the time. Salazar began his career as a policy analyst at Colorado Legislative Council, a nonpartisan support office for the Colorado state legislature. Later, Salazar served as an education lobbyist for CEA, where he also managed successful ballot issue and candidate campaigns. Salazar is a past board chairman and current board member of the Latin American Educational Foundation (LEAF), a 75-year-old, Denver-based scholarship organization for Latino students. He is also a past board chairman and current board member of the South Metro Denver Chamber of Commerce. In addition, Salazar serves on the board of directors for the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, and on the board of advisors for the CU Denver Business School. Before taking his role at CU, Salazar was on the University of Northern Colorado’s Board of Trustees for two terms as a gubernatorial appointee. In recognition of his work in the community, Salazar received the Latino Leadership Institute’s (LLI) 2023 Influence Award, which recognizes individuals who serve in an elevated leadership role in their organization or community and who have leveraged their power, influence, resources, platform, and connections to drive meaningful change. Salazar also was recognized as the South Metro Denver Chamber’s 2023 Brian Vogt Community Leader of the Year. Salazar is a northwest Denver native and multi-generation Coloradan with family roots in Southern Colorado. After graduating from Denver North High School, he received a full scholarship to attend the University of Denver, as a first-generation college student, where he graduated with honors. Salazar is also a 2018 graduate of the LLI Fellowship and a 2021 graduate of Leadership Denver. Salazar lives in northeast Denver with his wife, Tonette, who is an attorney and state legislative lobbyist. The Salazars are parents to three children, including two boys who are college graduates and a daughter who will be attending the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business in the fall of 2025.
As a DPS alumni and parent and as a longtime K-12 and higher education staff person and advocate, I view education, especially for underrepresented students and families, as the ultimate ladder to building social capital, economic equity and generational wealth. My education as a DPS student provided opportunities to pursue higher education as a first-generation college student and graduate, which has resulted in benefits for my family never experienced before in six generations of my family's history in Colorado. I want to be part of opening similar doors for current and future DPS students.
Lauren Sisneros
Founder & Principal, LS Consultants, LLC
About Lauren
Lauren Sisneros is the founder of LS Consultants, LLC, a firm specializing in consultancy and interim management services for nonprofit and education organizations. The company provides a range of services, including board management, program development and implementation, facilitation, fundraising, grant writing, marketing strategy, policy tracking, and recruitment. With a strong background in project management, nonprofit leadership, higher education, and policy analysis, Lauren has worked with notable clients such as the Prosperity Denver Fund, Contractor Academy, Education Commission of the States, Strong Start to Finish, and the National Center for Higher Education Management Systems. Lauren earned her bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Colorado State University-Pueblo and a master’s degree in Education from Colorado State University Global. She later graduated from the University of Denver’s Latino Leadership Institute, a nine-month fellowship program that prepares Latino professionals for elevated roles of influence in Colorado. Lauren participated in the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Program, an 11-month program that aims to transform actively engaged civic leaders into community champions through in-depth experiences with a close network. Lauren is passionate about addressing equity gaps in education and has a strong commitment to serving students, with an unwavering belief in the potential of every scholar to succeed and thrive. Lauren is a Colorado native, born and raised in the San Luis Valley. She currently resides in Lakewood, Colorado. She is a proud mother of two who are currently pursuing their college degrees. She loves spending time with her family, especially her two grandchildren.
I believe in the mission of the DPS Foundation and am passionate about addressing equity gaps in education and have a strong commitment to serving students, with an unwavering belief in the potential of every scholar to succeed and thrive.
Kristin Stork
Director of Strategic Partnerships at Denver 7
About Kristin
At Denver Public Schools Foundation, we believe that our city is strengthened by every student who graduates ready to lead a successful life. At the DPS Foundation, we invest in accelerating progress, we connect the community to our classrooms, and we inspire confidence in the promise of public education.
Kristin Stork is the director of strategic partnerships for Denver7 where she oversees the station’s community partnerships, programs and events. Kristin also works on the station’s Equity, Diversity and Inclusion efforts and helps ensure Denver7 represents all of the communities it serves. She helped launch Denver7 Gives, which invites viewers to donate funds to help individuals whose stories they see on Denver7 News. Denver7 viewers have contributed nearly $2 million dollars to Denver7 Gives since its inception in 2019. Kristin and her colleagues were recently recognized by the station’s parent company, Scripps, with the Doing Well by Doing Good Award for their work with Denver7 Gives.
Kristin previously served as director of community relations for Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck and manager of community relations and charities for The Denver Post. She began her career at an advertising agency, but quickly found her way to nonprofit work, providing public relations and marketing leadership for the Children’s Museum of Denver and the Arvada Center for the Arts and Humanities before moving into corporate social responsibility/community affairs.
She has served on a variety of boards and committees including Hunger Free Colorado, Denver Post Community Foundation, Volunteers of America’s marketing and communications committee, and Colorado Nonprofit Association’s leadership advisory council.
We know that when our students thrive, our city thrives. Every child deserves access to education – and the tools they need to be successful in school. I was privileged to have many choices when it came to my education. That foundation led to many of the opportunities and successes I’ve experienced in both my personal and professional life. I want to ensure that all Denver students and their families have a similar experience – and that they have the support they need to be successful.
Alec Wynne
Managing Director, Greenwood CRE Denver, LLC
About Alec
Alec Wynne is a 26-year commercial real estate professional who graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in Economics in 1992. He co-Founder of Greenwood CRE, completed over $2B in real estate transactions, and has worked in 30 states in the U.S. and 30 countries around the world.
I believe in our mission because I care deeply about kids and education and I support public schools.
BJ Youngerman
Managing Director, Global Market Strategy & Community Impact, United Airlines
About BJ
BJ Youngerman, United Airlines’ Managing Director for Global Market Strategy and Community Impact, leads United’s local hub strategy and community engagement portfolio. He works closely with business and civic leaders, local community leaders and others to further United’s growth globally, while raising United’s visibility at a local level. BJ also oversees United’s community giving strategy, leading all United partnerships with nonprofits both at a local and global level. Prior to this role, BJ held a variety of positions for United in Chicago, San Francisco, and Denver with roles in Marketing, Customer Experience, Regional Strategy, and Human Resources. BJ started his airline career with US Airways in Charlotte, NC and has been a life-long aviation enthusiast. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics from Davidson College.
As a soon-to-be father (daughter due in September!), I am passionate about ensuring the future success of Denver Public Schools. Both my wife and I attended public schools and I am focused on ensuring that Denver's education system continues to be strong and supported with the necessary additional resources to thrive and serve future generations of Denver children.