Foundation News & Announcements
19 Feb Alumnus and Finance Executive Joins Board of Trustees
DENVER, Feb. 15, 2020 — The Boettcher Foundation is pleased to announce that Scholar Alumnus Jason Wheeler has been appointed to the Board of Trustees. Wheeler’s impressive career spans more than 20 years as a finance leader and tech executive. Today, Wheeler is the Head of Corporate Functions for Forward, a revolutionary preventive healthcare membership that puts individuals in control of their health with world-class doctors supported by technology. Wheeler served as the CFO of Tesla from 2015-17. Prior to Tesla, Wheeler spent 13 years as the Vice President of Finance at Google where he led global finance, including financial planning, accounting and controls, internal audit, treasury, and tax operations. Comprised of Colorado’s most dynamic business and community leaders, the Boettcher Foundation trustees are responsible for supporting and guiding the foundation in its mission to invest in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. “In addition to his finance knowledge and business acumen, Jason brings a global leadership perspective that adds tremendous value to our mission,” said President & CEO Katie Kramer. “Jason’s talents and passions are multiple. His dynamic background in finance and technology will diversify our thought leadership and help us to achieve transformational impact in Colorado.” Wheeler graduated in 1992 from Gilpin County RE-1 High School in a class of 21 students. He attended Colorado State University, where he studied finance, graduating summa cum laude and number one in his class. He went on to earn an MBA from Harvard Business School. With his appointment, Wheeler becomes the fifth Boettcher Scholar alumni member to serve as a trustee in the organization that is 82 years old. Recognized by CSU as a distinguished alumnus in 2013, Wheeler served on the university’s College of Business Global Leadership Council. He is a past member of the Boettcher Foundation Scholar Alumni Board along with Positive Coaching Alliance, a national nonprofit organization focused on changing the culture of youth sports. “The Boettcher Foundation has been a driving force in my life,” said Wheeler, a husband of 20 years to his wife Robyn and father to their three children. “I am a very grateful example of the Foundation’s promise to fulfill the potential of Coloradans to pursue academic and professional excellence while being a citizen who gives back through leadership and service. I am truly honored and humbled to have the opportunity to serve the Foundation in this capacity.” About the Boettcher Foundation: At Boettcher, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organizations, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come.... 29 May Seven Researchers Named Boettcher Investigators
DENVER, May 29, 2019 — Seven biomedical researchers at Colorado institutions have been selected as Boettcher Investigators, marking the 10th class to receive research funding through the Boettcher Foundation’s Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards program. The awards support promising, early career scientific researchers, allowing them to establish their independent research and make it competitive for major federal and private awards. Recipients are awarded $235,000 in grant funding to sustain up to three years of biomedical research. “Our 10th class of Boettcher Investigators represents Colorado’s most dynamic emerging scientists who are committed to improving human health,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. “The Boettcher Foundation is honored to support them at this critical juncture in their research careers.” Including the class of 2019, 68 Boettcher Investigators have received funding through the Webb-Waring program. Since 2010, Boettcher Investigators have gone on to earn a collective $65 million in subsequent independent research funding. Ninety-five percent of award recipients remain at Colorado research institutions, advancing the Foundation’s mission of keeping Colorado’s top scientific minds in the state. “The Boettcher Foundation’s Webb-Waring program has been an important addition to Colorado’s biomedical research landscape,” said Jennifer Jones Paton, president and CEO of the Colorado BioScience Association. “We see the impact the program has made over the past 10 years. We congratulate the newest class of Boettcher Investigators.” The 2019 Class of Boettcher Investigators and their research topics are: Colorado State University Seonil Kim, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biomedical Sciences – Cellular mechanisms of Alzheimer’s disease National Jewish Health Kara J. Mould, M.D. M.P.H., Assistant Professor of Medicine – Macrophage programing in acute lung injury University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus Cecilia Caino, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pharmacology – Novel mitochondrial signaling platforms in cancer Robert Dietz, M.D., Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics – Functional recovery and reversal of impairment after ischemia in the developing brain Neelanjan Mukherjee, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Genetics – Systems biology of RNA regulatory networks Kelly D. Sullivan, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Pediatrics – Interferon signaling in Down syndrome University of Colorado Colorado Springs Tara Cepon Robins, Ph.D., Assistant Professor of Anthropology – Parasite exposure and immune system development For more information about the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards, visit the Boettcher Foundation website. High-resolution photos of individual recipients and the entire group available by request.... 02 May Top Colorado Students Awarded Boettcher Foundation Scholarships
DENVER, May 2, 2019 — A group of Colorado’s top graduating seniors has been named 2019 Boettcher Foundation Scholars, marking the newest class of students to earn the prestigious scholarship recognizing the next generation of dynamic thinkers and leaders. “The Boettcher Foundation invests in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans, and these students represent the very best of our state,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. “We are delighted that they have committed to attending Colorado universities.” Established in 1952, the Boettcher Scholarship program annually awards scholarships to graduating high school seniors in Colorado. The four-year scholarship includes virtually all expenses to attend the Colorado school of the recipient’s choice: full tuition, fees, a book allowance, and an annual stipend for living expenses. The scholarship also includes programming and support to ensure that students reach their full leadership potential. Scholars are selected based on academics, service, leadership, and character, and the Boettcher Scholar network includes more than 2,500 leaders who have gone on to make their marks in business, government, nonprofits, academia, and other endeavors. “Our 2019 Boettcher Scholars stood out from a highly competitive pool of nearly 1,500 qualified applicants,” said Tiffany Anderson, the Foundation’s director of programs. “This year’s class includes an entrepreneur who launched a dessert-focused catering business, a 13-year dancer in Aspen Santa Fe Ballet’s Folklórico group, a student who completed the Junior Firefighter Academy and was certified as an Emergency Medical Technician, along with state leaders for FBLA, DECA, and Key Club. We’re confident that this year’s class represents the values the Boettcher family sought to encourage.” Scholar names and photos follow. High-resolution images available upon request. About the Boettcher Foundation At the Boettcher Foundation, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organization, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come. For more information, visit www.boettcherfoundation.org. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Kristi Arellano 303-285-6208 kristi@boettcherfoundation.org Josue Acevedo Grand Junction Central HS Mines Lauren Airey Summit County HS CU Trayana Athannassova Pine Creek HS CU Sunderland Baker Northglenn HS CC Sharon Battula Cherokee Trail HS CU Whitney Buckendorf Poudre HS DU Angie Bustillos Mead HS DU Colleen Campbell Denver South HS CC Max Carere Lamar HS CU Michael Doolittle Berthoud HS CSU Zoe Drigot Poudre HS CU Nick Entin Peak to Peak Charter School CU Abigail Fennell Eaglecrest HS CSU Caleb Frazier Delta HS DU Louis Gonzales Montezuma-Cortez HS Regis Taylor Henderson Greeley Central HS CU Haley Johnson Kit Carson HS CU Sophie Jung Pine Creek HS CU Etash Kalra Douglas County HS CU Jacee Lawrence Lake City Community School CMU Sydnei Lewis Northglenn HS CU Ellie Mayer Two Roads Charter School CSU Ethan Meyer Rampart HS CU Clint Middlemist Centauri HS CSU Colton Moore Platte Valley HS CSU Lorena Munoz Estrada Aurora Central HS DU Anila Narayana Rock Canyon HS CU Preston Nash Legacy HS Mines Paola Ortiz Venzor Coal Ridge HS CU Ethan Perry Heritage HS Mines Mikayla Postma Horizon HS DU Owen Rask Fountain Valley School CC Emily Reynolds Cañon City HS CU Tony Salcido-Alcántar, Jr. Prairie View HS CU Alisa Sautter Loveland HS DU Katie Schutt Windsor HS CU Sam Stoltz Frontier Academy CSU Mikaela Taylor Limon HS DU Solana Teitler Roaring Fork HS CU Connor Voss Rye HS Mines Megan Waitman Idalia HS CU Emily Winn Fort Collins HS DU ... 02 Apr Colorado Teachers Honored for Impact
DENVER, April 2, 2019 — The Boettcher Foundation today announced that it is recognizing a group of standout Colorado teachers for their impact and dedication to students. As part of the Boettcher Scholarship program, which provides Colorado’s most talented students with scholarships to attend a Colorado college or university, the Boettcher Foundation also honors the teachers who have committed themselves to supporting the high-achieving students who compete for the scholarship. “We know that teachers are a critical component in the success of Colorado’s students,” said Tiffany Anderson, programs director for Boettcher Foundation. “For every student that leads a club or organization, there is a teacher who works late to supervise that organization. For every student who takes an independent study, there is a teacher who is spending extra hours guiding and supporting that student.” This year’s teacher honorees were selected by finalists for the Boettcher Scholarship. Each educator will receive a plaque, a personalized tribute from the student who selected them and a $500 grant to be used for a project or activity to benefit students at their school. “These dedicated and passionate educators have championed excellence in their classrooms, and we are proud to recognize them for helping Colorado students to achieve their goals and prepare for their futures,” Anderson said. A complete list of the 2019 Teacher Recognition Award recipients follows. The Boettcher Foundation will announce the final class of Boettcher Scholarship recipients in early May. District Teacher School Teacher Name Academy 20 Discovery Canyon High School Jeremy Beckman Academy 20 Pine Creek High School Nan Gefreh Academy 20 Pine Creek High School Richard Castle Academy 20 Pine Creek High School Valerie Babbitt Academy 20 Rampart High School Alison Ehrensaft Academy 20 Rampart High School Gregory Andersen Adams 12 Five Star Schools Horizon High School Dave Cialone Adams 12 Five Star Schools Legacy High School Brian Espinoza Adams 12 Five Star Schools Legacy High School Jennifer Dumas Adams 12 Five Star Schools Northglenn High School Lori Egan Adams 12 Five Star Schools Northglenn High School Kasey Nunn Adams 12 Five Star Schools Stargate Charter School Jessika Muñoz Adams 12 Five Star Schools Thornton High School Ann Putsche Adams-Arapahoe 28J Aurora Central High School Kevin Rigot Adams-Arapahoe 28J Hinkley High School David Nickoloff Akron R-1 Akron High School Ali Houston Arickaree R-2 Arickaree High School Beth Ray Arickaree R-2 Arickaree High School Don Myers Boulder Valley RE 2 Broomfield High School Lena Carroll Boulder Valley RE 2 Monarch High School David Farrell Boulder Valley RE 2 Monarch High School Kate Lunz Boulder Valley RE 2 New Vista High School Vanessa Dimiziani-Cascio Boulder Valley RE 2 Peak to Peak Charter School Carla Flanhofer Boulder Valley RE 2 Peak to Peak Charter School Mary Campbell Brighton 27J Prairie View High School Veronica Randall Canon City RE-1 Canon City High School Michelle Curl Charter School Institute Academy of Charter Schools Lorie Grebe Cherry Creek 5 Cherokee Trail High School Alana Stevenson Cherry Creek 5 Cherokee Trail High School Tamara Johnson Cherry Creek 5 Cherry Creek High School Erika Padzik Cherry Creek 5 Eaglecrest High School Stephanie Swenson Cherry Creek 5 Grandview High School Nathaniel Smith Cherry Creek 5 Smoky Hill High School Katie Kleeman Cheyenne Mountain 12 Cheyenne Mountain High School Janie Mueller Cheyenne Mountain 12 Vanguard School Cheryl Holling Delta County 50 (J) Delta High School Danielle Lopez Delta County 50 (J) Paonia Senior High School Kreszenze Allen Denver County 1 Denver East High School Myrna Wilson Denver County 1 Denver South High School Jennifer Redlin Denver County 1 George Washington High School Kevin Vicente Douglas County RE 1 Chaparral High School Qiong Jan Douglas County RE 1 Douglas County High School Steven Fleet Douglas County RE 1 Legend High School Debbie Tawzer Douglas County RE 1 Legend High School Tina Stroman Douglas County RE 1 Mountain Vista High School Charity Smith Douglas County RE 1 Mountain Vista High School Kent Allison Douglas County RE 1 Rock Canyon High School David Ferguson Douglas County RE 1 Rock Canyon High School Matthew Sassali Douglas County RE 1 Rock Canyon High School Matthew Gracey Douglas County RE 1 Rock Canyon High School Shawndra Fordham Eagle County RE 50 Battle Mountain High School Timothy Caudill Englewood 1 Englewood High School Sarah Fuller Fountain 8 Fountain Fort Carson High School Tobin Chandler Fountain 8 Fountain Fort Carson High School Joshua Race Garfield RE-2 Coal Ridge High School Bobbi Jo Wiescamp Greeley 6 Frontier Academy Henry Ainsworth Greeley 6 Frontier Academy Jacque Schmidt Greeley 6 Greeley Central High School Thomas Frasier Greeley 6 Northridge High School Joshua Seematter Hinsdale County RE 1 Lake City Community School Daniel Scroggins Idalia RJ-3 Idalia High School Cindy Soehner Jefferson County R-1 Chatfield Senior High School Stephanie Chavez Jefferson County R-1 Chatfield Senior High School Jeffrey Garkow Jefferson County R-1 Conifer High School Owen Volzke Jefferson County R-1 Evergreen High School Karla Gordon Julesburg RE-1 Julesburg High School Timothy Kossman Kit Carson R-1 Kit Carson High School Tim Hogan Lamar RE-2 Lamar High School Jenna Randle Limon RE-4J Limon High School Greg Scherrer Littleton 6 Heritage High School Michael Rudolph Littleton 6 Littleton High School Kristin Kron McClave RE-2 McClave High School Lance Jagers Meeker RE 1 Meeker High School Naomi Etchart Mesa County Valley 51 Grand Junction Central High School Julie Christianson Miami/Yoder 60 JT Miami-Yoder High School Angela Grimes Montezuma-Cortez RE-1 Montezuma-Cortez High School Katie Zdanowski N/A Arapahoe Community College (concurrent enrollment) Monica Fuglei N/A Fountain Valley School Simon Waldbaum North Conejos RE-1J Centauri High School Cole Miller Platte Valley RE-7 Platte Valley High School Julie Thomas Poudre R-1 Fort Collins High School Jason Clarke Poudre R-1 Fort Collins High School Tiana Song Poudre R-1 Fort Collins High School Christine Matthie Poudre R-1 Fossil Ridge High School Todd Pfeifer Poudre R-1 Fossil Ridge High School Joe Anastasia Poudre R-1 Liberty Common High School Jeremy Tullius Poudre R-1 Poudre High School Cassie Poncelow Poudre R-1 Poudre High School Krista Brakhage Poudre R-1 Poudre High School Kristine Bibbey Pueblo City 60 Pueblo Centennial High School Cheryl Farrer Pueblo City 60 Pueblo South High School Helen Johnson Pueblo County Rural 70 Rye High School Cole Mcgee Roaring Fork RE-1 Roaring Fork High School Carmen McCracken Rocky Ford R-2 Rocky Ford Junior/Senior High School Cindy Von Feldt South Routt RE 3 Soroco High School Kelli Turnipseed St Vrain Valley RE 1J Mead High School Kelly Corne Summit RE-1 Summit County High School Alyssa Giger Swink 33 Swink High School Judy Jenkins Swink 33 Swink High School Bonnie Grossen Telluride R-1 Telluride High School David Lavender Thompson R-2J Berthoud High School Laurie Brandvold Thompson R-2J Loveland High School Richy Lynn Windsor RE-4 Windsor High School Steve Cline Yuma 1 Yuma High School Amy Melby Contact: Kristi Arellano, 303.285.6208, kristi@boettcherfoundation.org About the Boettcher Foundation: At the Boettcher Foundation, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organizations, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come....
19 Mar 2018 Year in Review
At the Boettcher Foundation, investing in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans means finding and elevating the game changers who are leading in our communities. In 2018 the Boettcher Foundation marked some exciting milestones in our work to advance Colorado and its leaders. Our Boettcher Scholars inaugural summit brought together generations of scholars for an inspiring weekend aimed at teaching them new ways of becoming game changers in their own communities. The Space to Create Colorado initiative, which we helped to convene, broke ground in Trinidad, and new projects are being added to this exciting effort. We are excited to share our 2018 Year in Review, which highlights these milestones and other efforts to elevate our state's game changers. ...
15 Feb Colorado State University, Pueblo’s Brandon Bayer named Student Leader of the Year
DENVER— Colorado State University Pueblo senior Brandon Bayer was named Colorado Leadership Alliance’s (CLA) 2019 Student Leader of the Year at the CLA Summit on Jan. 26. The award is given by the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and the Boettcher Foundation annually. ... 17 Jan Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees Announces 2019 Officers
January 17, 2019 — The Boettcher Foundation Board of Trustees is pleased to announce the election of a new slate of officers for the coming year. Officers for 2019 are: Chair – Kenzo Kawanabe, partner with Davis Graham & Stubbs; Chair-elect – Sharon Linhart, founder of Linhart Public Relations; Secretary – Tony Frank, president of Colorado State University and chancellor of the CSU system; Treasurer – Judith Buck Wagner, founder of Wagner Investment Management; and Past-chair – Ted Schlegel, founding member of the Steadman Hawkins Clinic-Denver. “The Boettcher Foundation is fortunate to be led by a board of talented and committed community leaders,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. “We are grateful that this group has stepped into these leadership roles, and we are looking forward to the impact they will make.” The Board of Trustees also has approved Linhart and Cile Chavez to each serve a third three-year term, and Frank and Pam Shockley-Zalabak have been approved for their second three-year terms. Kramer added that the Foundation is especially grateful to former board chair, Russ George, who retired from his role as a Trustee at the end of 2018. George’s career in public service has included roles as president of Colorado Northwestern Community College, Colorado Speaker of the House, and leadership positions at the Colorado Department of Transportation, Division of Wildlife, and Department of Natural Resources. For more information about the Boettcher Foundation, visit boettcherfoundation.org. Contact: Kristi Arellano, 303.285.6208, kristi@boettcherfoundation.org About the Boettcher Foundation: At Boettcher, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organizations, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come.... 09 Nov Boettcher Foundation Welcomes New Team Members
DENVER, November 9, 2018 — The Boettcher Foundation is pleased to announce the addition of two new staff members to help build on its mission of investing in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Rob “Waldo” Martin has joined the Foundation as vice president/chief of staff, and Lynn White has joined the team as senior accountant. Martin will provide strategic support to the CEO and Board of Trustees and manage the Foundation’s operational resources. He accumulated global experience in operations, team development, policy advising, and strategy formulation during a 31-year military career. He served as a strategic advisor to the commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command (NORAD) and United States Northern Command (USNORTHCOM), and managed relationships and information-sharing systems with more than 50 national and international mission partners. From 2007 to 2012, Martin directed multiple interagency teams and coordinated counter-terrorism and aerospace defense initiatives as the chief of staff of the operations division at NORAD. “Waldo brings a depth of knowledge, a strategic mindset, and a distinct perspective to the Foundation thanks to his unique experience and background,” said Katie Kramer, president and CEO of the Boettcher Foundation. White brings more than 20 years of experience to her role as senior accountant. She most recently served as director of finance at PetAid Colorado and the Colorado Veterinary Medical Association. White earned her BS/MS in accounting with a specialization in audit and worked in the corporate sector before becoming a certified veterinary technician. She later shifted to the nonprofit sector so she could use her accounting and finance skills on behalf of the community. “Lynn’s background and experience in accounting, combined with her passion for supporting the nonprofit community, make her a wonderful addition to our team,” Kramer said. “Our entire team looks forward to working side-by-side with both Lynn and Waldo as we build on the Foundation’s mission and the vision of the Boettcher family.” In addition to the new hires, the Foundation announced that Julie Lerudis has taken the title of director of finance and grants to better reflect her responsibilities with the organization. Contact: Kristi Arellano, 303.285.6208, kristi@boettcherfoundation.org About the Boettcher Foundation: At Boettcher, we believe in the promise of Colorado and the potential of Coloradans. Every day we champion excellence across our state by investing in our most talented citizens and high-potential organizations, because supporting their hard work and leadership will enable them to give back for years to come....