Team and Board

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

About Jamie

Bio Forthcoming

About Stacy

Bio forthcoming

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.

About Allie

Bio Forthcoming

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

About Alphonso

Bio Forthcoming

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.

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.

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

About Alanna

Bio Forthcoming

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.

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.

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

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.

About Brandy

Bio Forthcoming

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.