Colorado Leadership Stories

In honor of Juneteenth, we’re celebrating Black leadership and cultural legacy in Colorado. In this episode, Katie visits with  Malik Robinson , president and CEO of Cleo Parker Robinson Dance , one of our state’s most iconic and enduring cultural institutions. Malik reflects on a lifetime shaped by artistry, activism, and deep community roots. He shares how the vision of his parent...

In this episode, Katie sits down with Elyse Blazevich , president and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association (CBSA). Elyse shares her journey from deciding not to pursue medical school after college to becoming a successful entrepreneur and leader in Colorado’s life sciences sector.  She shares lessons from her career, emphasizing the importance of resourcefulness and resilience, urging l...

Join Katie as she sits down with 2022 Scholar Yahir Chairez-Salazar to hear his powerful story of resilience, determination, and purpose. The summer before his sophomore year, Yahir lost his leg in a devastating car accident, but fought his way back—both academically and as a collegiate wrestler. His journey from hospital bed to wrestling mat is nothing short of remarkable. Now, the Colo...

Join Katie as she sits down with Luis Benitez —six-time Everest summiteer, policy innovator, author of "Higher Ground, ” and outdoor industry trailblazer— to explore how he went from a boy battling severe asthma to one of the most influential voices in Colorado. Born to a Southern educator and Ecuadorian engineer, Luis grew up deeply curious with a foot in two cultures.&nb...

In this episode, Katie sits down with Aaditya “Aadi” Pore , the 2025 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year, as awarded by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. Inspired by his mom’s lessons in humility and service, the CU Boulder senior opens doors for fellow students interested in STEM careers while serving as a campus-wide leader. For Aadi, true leader...

This week, Katie Kramer welcomes Katy Anthes, a respected education leader who has spent decades shaping Colorado’s K-12 sector. Known for her collaborative approach and steady presence during times of challenge, Katy reflects on the early influences that drew her to public service and education, as well as her deep connection to Colorado. She discusses her current work leading...

Join Jevon "JJ" McKinney , a 2021 Boettcher Scholar, as he shares his experiences as a journalist. Raised in Colorado Springs, JJ shares how his passion for storytelling took shape — and why ethical reporting matters more than ever. From his time as an undergraduate at Colorado State University to his vision for a future in local news, JJ explores journalism’s power to shape, serve, and strengthen...

In this episode, Katie chats with Dr. Melissa Reynolds of Colorado State University, who dives into how an interdisciplinary approach to biomedical research has shaped both her leadership and collaborative spirit with others. She discusses how the solution to a challenge is often a combination of different voices, ideas, and failures — with the approach and process as important as the end result....

This week, Katie sits down with longtime friend Christine Benero to explore how meaningful leadership can shape stronger communities. In particular, Christine   shares how her early experiences as a special education teacher and her work with AmeriCorps and the Red Cross informed her approach to community-driven solutions. As the longtime president & CEO of Mile High United Way , Christin...

On this week’s episode of  Colorado  L eadership Stories , Katie sits down with tech entrepreneur and social impact leader, Richard Lewis . A champion for communities of color, Richard discusses his innovative incubator model at Denver’s BIPOC Nonprofit Development Center, which provides both space and support to help organizations flourish. Rich, as his friends know him, also talks abou...

On this week’s episode of Colorado Leadership Stories, Katie and Curtis dialogue with the 2025 Colorado Teacher of the Year, Janet Damon, on how to become a champion of wellness. As a dedicated educator and advocate for student-centered learning, Janet’s journey has been defined by her passion for helping every student reach their full potential. Janet reflects on how her approach to teaching...

In this episode, Katie talks with Cindy Mahlberg, a 1997 Boettcher Scholar and entrepreneur who has made her mark in Colorado. As co-founder of Women in the Mix and the Colorado Center for Dermatology & Skin Surgery , Cindy has been instrumental in empowering women and supporting their professional and personal growth. Her work emphasizes the concept of a "work-life mix" rather than traditiona...

In this episode, Katie sits down with Kara Penn , a 1994 Boettcher Scholar and owner of Mission Spark . Kara's journey from scholarship recipient to social impact leader   has been marked by a commitment to systems-level change and a passion for supporting mission-driven organizations. As co-author of "Fail Better," Kara emphasizes the importance of learning from "smart mistakes,” while using...

Buckle up as Paul Andrews, CEO of the National Western Stock Show, takes us on his journey from sports executive to agricultural leader. A Colorado native, Paul reveals how he turned the Stock Show into the Super Bowl of livestock shows and a powerhouse for ag education. As he prepares for retirement, Paul reflects on his 15-year legacy of developing an enterprise that has become an international...

A passionate advocate for justice,  Kenzo Kawanabe is a community leader with deep roots in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. A fourth-generation Coloradan and Boettcher Alum, he carries forward a legacy of service inspired by his great grandparents who farmed the land and his maternal grandparents’ resilience during their internment in World War II. As a trial lawyer, Kenzo combines legal expertis...

This week, Katie visits the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in Greeley to discuss university leadership with Dr. Andy Feinstein, president of UNC.   Andy, as he prefers, reflects on how his passion for hospitality shapes his leadership style and influences his work, including the establishment of Colorado's first public college of osteopathic medicine and collaborative advocacy for...

This week, Katie sits down with John Chapdelaine, director of the Eastern Colorado Office at the Community Foundation of Northern Colorado , to explore the power of positivity in leadership. John shares how his guiding principle — relationship-building — ties together his diverse background as an educator, prison warden, coach, and connector. Tune in to hear how the strong sense of community in Ea...

Gillian Laycock's journey from South Africa to the plains of Eastern Colorado has ignited a passion for rural community development. As a town manager, entrepreneur, and placemaker, Gillian champions innovative solutions to build stronger, more connected communities. Her work highlights the power of collaboration, resource-sharing, and artistic expression that create pathways for possibility on th...

Join us for an enlightening conversation about leadership, community, and the human experience with Javier Alberto Soto, president and CEO of The Denver Foundation. The son of Cuban immigrants, Javier shares his inspiring story of growing up in Miami and navigating a whole new world. Today, with that same passion for listening and learning, he aims to make philanthropy more accessible to all. Disc...

What do geography, history, data, computer science, and medicine have in common? Find out on this week’s episode of Colorado Leadership Stories, featuring Katie’s conversation with Dr. Stephen Kissler, an assistant professor at CU Boulder and expert in epidemiology and complex social systems. Stephen, a Boettcher Scholar Alum, shares his experiences calculating public health metrics amid significa...

Find a nice spot outside and listen to Brian Vogt, CEO of the Denver Botanic Gardens , as he shares his remarkable transition from a classical antiquity degree to leading one of the nation’s most beautiful and frequently visited public gardens. Brian talks about the importance of pursuing your passion, the meaning behind intentional culture, and the exciting developments at Chatfield Farms. As a c...

Bryana Starbuck is the public information officer for the City of Glenwood Springs and proud Alum of Boettcher’s Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship. In this episode, Bryana talks about the nuance required to serve as a local government leader in rural Colorado. As a public servant dedicated to bridging differences, Bryana shares her strategies of authentically listening, finding common groun...

Put on your western wear and listen as Katie revels in some rich Colorado history with her mentor and longtime friend, Tim Schultz. With roles ranging from cowboy, school board member, county commissioner, banker, commissioner of agriculture, economic development leader, and president of the Boettcher Foundation, Tim has earned the name, “Mr. Colorado.” Explore the meaning behind collaborativ...

Join us for a conversation with Rene Brown, the chair of the Colorado State Fair Board of Authority and a longtime resident of Pueblo. Her family has been part of the Junior Livestock Sale at the Colorado State Fair for over 60 years. In this episode, Rene reflects on the impact of hard work, family legacy, and community involvement. Listen in to learn more about the state...

The Governor of the Colorado Buffaloes football program is a Boettcher Scholar. As he enters his junior year on the field, Camden Dempsey reflects on his newfound fame and potential for influence after Coach Prime recently appointed him press secretary for the team. Camden also shares insights about the rigors of being a Division I student-athlete, persevering through adversity, and why he talks s...