Blog
Stay up to date with stories about our work and our Leadership Foundation alumni.
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Welcomes New Executive Vice President and President of the Chamber’s Leadership Foundation
Kristen Blessman brings extensive experience and fresh vision to the Chamber its Leadership Foundation Denver - J. J. Ament, the President & Chief Executive Officer of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce is thrilled to announce the appointment of Kristen Blessman as Executive Vice President of the Chamber and President of the Chamber’s Leadership Foundation. With extensive experience in strategic [...]
Empowering Change: Impact Denver’s Collaboration with YANA
One of the highlights of the Impact Denver program is the nonprofit projects that participants get to work on. Each cohort is divided into groups and paired with local nonprofits that need expert guidance from talented professionals across various fields. Nikki Brooker, CEO and Founder of YANA, a nonprofit established in 2016 to support mothers and address the ripple effect [...]
Gabriel Trujillo Named 2024 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year
DENVER (April 17, 2024) — The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation, proudly announced Gabriel Trujillo as the 2024 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year. Trujillo, a senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish, was honored during the Leading Colorado Luncheon, celebrating outstanding leadership and community impact. In [...]
John Farnam Named 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year
DENVER (April 11, 2024) — 9NEWS and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation announced John Farnam, Managing Director of the Morgridge Family Foundation, as the 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year. The award for community leadership was presented during the Leading Colorado Luncheon, an annual event aimed at raising funds for the Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund and honoring leadership excellence in Metro [...]
Meet 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year Finalist Lorez Meinhold
Meet Lorez Meinhold, a leader weaving inclusive collaboration into the fabric of health and well-being transformation in Colorado. With over two decades of experience in grantmaking, health policy, and advocacy, Lorez's commitment to equity is the heartbeat of her personal and professional pursuits. Dedicating her life to community empowerment, Lorez recognizes the intricate interconnections between critical issues like access to [...]
Meet 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year Finalist John Farnam
Meet John Farnam, a dynamic force shaping positive change in the heart of Colorado. His story isn't just one of leadership; it's a testament to the transformative power of passion, dedication, and a commitment to community service. As the Managing Director at the Morgridge Family Foundation, John has overseen grants exceeding $150 million, aligning resources and fostering innovation around social [...]
Meet 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year Finalist Peter LiFari
Meet Peter F. LiFari, a visionary leader on a mission to disrupt generational poverty and empower Coloradans. As the Chief Executive Officer of Maiker Housing Partners, a socially conscious public housing authority based in Adams County, Peter's journey is one marked by dedication, innovation, and a pursuit of justice. Peter's path to Maiker Housing Partners began during his tenure with [...]
Celebrating 50 Years of Transformative Leadership: A Milestone for Leadership Denver
We're thrilled to announce that Leadership Denver (LD) will be celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. This significant milestone marks LD as one of the oldest leadership programs of its kind in the United States. Over five decades, LD has been a catalyst for change within the Denver Metro community, connecting and reshaping the paths of leaders who now span [...]