Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship

The Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship is a nine-month leadership experience that deepens the impact of community champions across Colorado. Now in its fifth year, it is intentionally designed to grow not just what Fellows do, but who they are as leaders grounded in service, connection, and courage.

Through Professional Development Awards, the 2024 cohort of Boettcher Fellows invested in advanced training, executive coaching, and immersive growth experiences. These opportunities strengthened their leadership capacity, resilience, and vision—equipping them to create lasting impact in communities across Colorado.

Matt Nuñez
2024 Boettcher Fellow

Matt is making a difference in rural Colorado through his work of formalizing the Rural Technical Assistance Program (RTAP). Matt has helped unlock grants, jobs, and festivals that connect the West End region and towns to Denver’s vibrancy. The coaching he received from the fellowship is now amplifying his vision for his own impact in growing economies, protecting wild places, and uniting Coloradans.

Brian Hill
2024 Boettcher Fellow

Brian serves as superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51. He is using his Professional Development Award to invest in Spanish language lessons and advanced health testing, which are empowering him to more sustainably support his faculty and staff serving nearly 20,000 students on the Western slope.

Dave Goe
2023 Boettcher Fellow

Dave ignited community spirit in Downtown Grand Junction through a creative, low-cost placemaking project which has evolved from a single creative intervention into a collaborative neighborhood improvement. Dave’s authentic leadership connects communities and proves that one idea can reshape a region.

Fellowship at a Glance

Highly Competitive

14 2025 Fellows

Selected from 97 applicants

Statewide Network

51 Fellows

Since launching in 2021

Curated curriculum

60 Hours

of in-person and virtual learning

Step deeper into potential

12 Hours

of professional coaching

Advance Goals

$10K

Fellows apply for a $10,000 Professional Development Award to support their growth and impact in their communities

Fellow Podcast Highlight

From Courage to Action
Brian Hill | 2024 Boettcher Fellow

Join Dr. Brian Hill, superintendent of Mesa County Valley School District 51 and 2024 Boettcher Fellow, for a conversation with Katie on supporting student well-being, parenting and mentoring, and building strong, collaborative teams. Hear how Brian is driving improvements in student mental health across one of Colorado’s largest districts and leading bold changes—like a district-wide cell phone policy that’s already enhancing student outcomes on the Western Slope.

2025 Fellows

The 2025 Fellows represent diverse lived experiences and industries, including economic development, nonprofit work, education, entrepreneurship, and local government.