The 2014-2015 Leadership Fort Collins class received their diplomas on May 14 at the Rio Grande Agave Room. Leadership Fort Collins, a program of the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce, is designed to educate and motivate leaders who are committed to shaping the future of our community while encouraging inspired and active involvement that contributes to the betterment of the community.
Thirty-three current and emerging leaders from throughout the Fort Collins area were selected to participate in the 2014-2015 program, which began in September 2014 and concluded just last week. Participants came together on the second Thursday of the month for a day-long session to learn more about Team Building, Government and Transportation, Economy and the Environment, Education and our Community, Social Capital, State Government, Health and Emergency Service Providers and Social Infrastructure.. The graduating class is a diverse mix of professions with representative from education, large and small business, not for profit and government.
In addition to attending eight all day educational sessions, members of the class were also challenged to complete a service learning project in the community. The 2014-2015 Leadership Fort Collins Class has planned and produced the following six projects benefiting various programs in the Fort Collins area.
- Wildlands Restoration Volunteers- Built a shed and nursery beds at their new location at 2926 E. Mulberry Street.
- Men for Change- 2nd Annual Men for Change Program To raise awareness about domestic violence and the available resources and support through Crossroads Safehouse to address and meet our communities need.
- On Key Event– Benefiting Mountain Crest Behavioral Health to support mental health in our community as well as spread the word about the fantastic work Mountain Crest is doing.
- Plant it Forward– The greatest way for individuals and/or groups to support this project is to purchased the supplies and built planter boxes for the FoCo Cafe’s landscape.
- Cozy Story Time at Irish Elementary School- Helped to provide books to children in the kindergarten and first grade classes at Irish Elementary school.
- Respite Care Garden Installation- A team of individuals gathered volunteers and supplies to coordinate the installation of flower beds and soil to create a community garden at Respite Care, Inc..
The Leadership Fort Collins class was recognized at the May 14 Graduation Event Sponsored by Blue Mesa Group & The Place Setting Company.
The 2014-2015 class members are:
Erik Barstow,Visit Fort Collins
Jill Burrell, Ditesco
Danielle Carnes, Front Range Community College
Paul Christenson, Turning Point
Jacqueline Cisco, The Winslow
Danielle Clark, Poudre School District
Megan Concannon, Community Foundation of NoCo
Audra Dinell, Mantooth Marketing Company
Maryann Fillingim, Partners Mentoring Youth
Ben Fletcher, Legacy Financial
Andrés Gavaldón, City of Fort Collins
Savannah Geasey, United Way of Larimer County
Bill Greenlee, Jax Mercantile
Andrew Groeger, Northwestern Mutual
Jennifer Henderson, Noodles & Co.
Shelby Hinchliff, The Neenan Company
Jerod Huwa, BHA Design, Inc.
Sarah Johnston, City Year
Vallene Kailburn, Old Town Media
Amanda King, Odell Brewing Co.
Greg Kushner, Brinkman Construction
Amy Laner, ANJO Designs
Mary Nichols, Rivendell School
Meg Olsen, University of Colorado Health
Rob Panos, No Barriers USA
Beth Phillips, The Group, Inc.
Lindsay Randall, Miramont Lifestyle Fitness
Lisa Rephlo, Colorado Clean Energy Cluster
Rick Rivera, Hot Corner Concepts
Ryan Rohman, UCH/Poudre Valley Hospital
Arthur Sintas, Ascend @ Colorado State University
Eric Thompson, IBMC College
Michael Whitley, Larimer County
The program was produced by the Fort Collins Area Chamber with assistance from a steering committee:
Kate Baker, Brinkman Partners
Pat Barlow, Blue Mesa
John Berkhausen, Cache Bank Melinda Brown, Alzheimer’s Association
Heather Buoniconti, Food Bank for Larimer County
Gary Clark, Century 21 Humpal Carol Cochran, Horse & Dragon
Jennifer Cooper-Miller, Touchstone Health Partners
Mark Culloton, Austin’s American Grill
Katie Flint, CSU
Shannon Hein, Mantooth
Diane Jones
SeonAh Kendall, City of Fort Collins
Amy Kolczak, University of Colorado Health
Sarah Kruse, Kruse Control
Donna Reiser, CSU Alumni Association
Jodi Riesenberger, National Parks Conservation Association
Lindsey Rohrbaugh, Visit Fort Collins
Teresa Sedlak, Touchstone Health Partners
Brad Ward, FRII
Dan Weinheimer, City of Fort Collins
Applications for the 2015-2016 Leadership Fort Collins program, sponsored by Soukup, Bush & Associates, will be available in mid-June. Anyone interested in learning more about the program or applying should contact Ann Hutchison at (970) 482-3746 or [email protected].
About the Fort Collins Area Chamber
The Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce is the leading membership-based organization in Northern Colorado, dedicated to helping business succeed. Investing in the Fort Collins Area Chamber of Commerce puts members in contact with more that 1,100 business owners and managers in the market. For more that 100 years, the Fort Collins Area Chamber has influenced efforts to maintain and grow the business community in Fort Collins. For more information about the Chamber call (970)482-3746 or visit www.FortCollinsChamber.com.