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Alumni Engagement
Alumni Board
Our Boettcher Alumni Board are our greatest champions of Alumni engagement. This year, the board focused on strengthening the Alumni community through events and learning, nominating Alums for awards, and helping facilitate our first-ever Service Summit.
Our Alums connected outside of Colorado, as we held Alumni receptions in New York City and Los Angeles. We also made sure to connect with Alums in the state, as we hosted receptions in both Pueblo and Palisade. From high school classes ranging between 1978 to 2022, they’ve graduated from different Colorado universities, and their expertise includes STEM, public service, education, law, and more.
Alumni Metrics
Different Scholar classes engaged with us
Alums served on one of our Boards
(Alumni Board, Trustees, Boettcher Scholars Fund)
Alums participated in Boettcher initiatives this year
Alums donated to the Boettcher Scholars Fund
Regional Receptions
Our Alums connected outside of Colorado, as we held receptions in New York City and Los Angeles. We also made sure to connect with Alums locally, hosting receptions in Pueblo and Palisade.
Scholar Support
Whether it was connecting 23 Scholar-Alumni mentoring pairs, attending Scholars Experience, or even writing 100 welcome notes to our newest Boettcher Scholars, our Alumni continue to pay it forward to our community.
Service Summit
Alums from across the state joined forces at our Service Summit, learning from a panel of experts in the food insecurity space. It was an inspiring reminder that our shared impact is greater when we work side by side.
Catalyst Conversations
This year, we launched our quarterly Catalyst Conversations Series, where Alums and community members virtually shared their expertise with others across the country. We learned about topics such as integrating AI, international development, and food insecurity.
Integrating your AI Intern
Tim Creasey | 1997 Scholar
Food Insecurity in Colorado and Beyond
Joël McClurg | Executive Director at the Colorado Blueprint to End Hunger
Ashley Newell | Director of Programs at Food Bank of the Rockies
Stories in Politics and International Development
Mark Engman | 1979 Scholar
Reconnect to What’s Actually Real
Abbey Ziv | 2000 Scholar
Alumni Podcast Recordings
Check out the following Alum podcasts and blog posts for stories, insights, and updates from graduates as they share their experiences beyond our program.
Greg Sobetski | 2007 Scholar
A Colorado "Statroit"
Gain a firsthand look at state government with 2007 Scholar Greg Sobetski, the nonpartisan chief economist for Colorado’s legislature. Today, Greg plays a critical role in helping policymakers navigate complex economic realities with clarity and integrity. His story is a reminder that investing deeply in the places that shape us, while strengthening the systems that serve them, is some of the most meaningful work we can do.
Mike Kercheval | 1974 Scholar
Matching Intent to Impact
In this episode, meet 1974 Boettcher Scholar Mike Kercheval. From Grand Junction roots to global real estate leadership, Mike’s story is shaped by early experiences with migrant workers that fueled his curiosity and service-minded career. He talks about directing CU’s Real Estate Center, mentoring emerging leaders, and why he believes real estate can, and should, be a force for good.
Brian Peagler | 1998 Scholar
Strive for Consistency
Hear Brian Peagler’s story of leadership and community impact. Born in Denver and a 1998 Scholar, Brian has combined business experience and a strong service ethic to shape Colorado’s leadership landscape. Learn more about Brian’s experience with failure, his perspective on AI, and his journey in prioritizing his health and wellbeing while balancing a demanding career. Brian’s story will inspire you to think more deeply about giving back and paying it forward.
Cindy Mahlberg | 1997 Scholar
Beyond Balance
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.
Alumni Awards
Elevate and Impact Awards
This year, the Boettcher Alumni Board proudly honored two remarkable Alums through the Elevate and Impact Awards, recognitions that celebrate leadership, service, and community impact.
Lupita Garcia
2022 Boettcher Fellow
San Luis Valley
Lupita received the Elevate Award, which recognizes a recent Alum who is early in their journey yet already making meaningful change. Through her work with the Energy Resource Center and numerous community initiatives spanning equity, broadband access, and women’s empowerment, Lupita exemplifies a leader who uplifts others while continually striving for growth.
Dr. Ashesh Thaker
2000 Boettcher Scholar
Denver
Dr. Thaker was honored with the Impact Award, presented to an Alum whose sustained leadership has made significant contributions in their field and community. As interim chair of radiology and chief of neuroradiology at Denver Health, he has advanced innovative programs in neuroimaging and education while championing health equity in resource-constrained settings.
Alumni Lead Stories
Alums at Denver Health
At Denver Health, mission-driven care isn’t just a philosophy. It’s a way of life. For Dr. Ashesh Thaker (2000 Scholar, left) and Dr. Nicholas Breitnauer (2005 Scholar, right), their work is about more than just medicine — it’s about creating lasting change in the communities they serve. From primary care to neuroradiology, these two Boettcher Alums have built careers that embody the spirit of leadership and service, proving that healthcare is most powerful when it’s rooted in purpose.
Amy Weisensee
Scholar Amy Weisensee shares stories of her experience in the El Pomar Fellowship program, a unique leadership development experience for recent college graduates. Over the past two years, Amy has worked closely with communities and leaders throughout the state. As she completes her fellowship, she reflects on her experience and shares what’s next.
Matt Iritani
Hear Brian Peagler’s story of leadership and community impact. Born in Denver and a 1998 Scholar, Brian has combined business experience and a strong service ethic to shape Colorado’s leadership landscape. Learn more about Brian’s experience with failure, his perspective on AI, and his journey in prioritizing his health and wellbeing while balancing a demanding career. Brian’s story will inspire you to think more deeply about giving back and paying it forward.
McFadden Family
Meet the McFaddens, a Colorado-rooted family whose story embodies the our belief in the power of education to transform lives and build community. Three siblings—Edith (1954 Scholar), Dave (1965 Scholar), and Margaret (1959 Scholar)—each earned the Boettcher Scholarship, a rare distinction that speaks to their shared commitment to learning, service, and leadership. Inspired by generations of educational leaders, the McFaddens have spent more than 70 years teaching, mentoring, and creating positive change from rural Colorado to classrooms across the country. They reminds us that the Boettcher legacy is about more than individual achievement—it’s about investing in others, standing firm in your values, and believing in a brighter future for Colorado and beyond.
Alumni Engagement Recap
Read more about how our Boettcher Alumni engaged in 2025 and created ripples in our community.
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