In July 2021, Boettcher Foundation announced its inaugural cohort of the Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship. A nine-month program, the Fellowship seeks to identify, celebrate, elevate, and connect community champions from across Colorado. The program elevates these individuals’ voices and amplifies their impact through structured opportunities to develop as individual leaders and members of Colorado’s ecosystem, including a financial investment, individualized coaching, and an emphasis on building connections among Fellows.
An Ideal Candidate
Ideal candidates for the Boettcher Fellowship are individuals with a deep commitment to their community and a willingness to put in the work to make things happen. A community can be defined as either a group of people living in the same place (a geographic community) or having a particular characteristic in common (an ethnic, racial, or cultural community).
They are community champions from all sectors who have a positive impact in their communities by finding creative solutions, developing and strengthening networks, or showing high levels of resourcefulness. Candidates are either the ‘doers’ who are on the frontlines of making things happen, or those who are at the cusp of something game-changing. They have big dreams though may have fewer connections. They are the people who may or may not have had a seat at traditional leadership tables but they move their community forward regardless. Candidates may not be formally recognized or celebrated, but they are recognized by their communities as key difference makers.
Candidates from rural communities or underrepresented groups will be given priority. For the purpose of prioritization points, rural will be defined as “census places less than 50,000 people and not adjacent or contiguous to an urbanized area.”
Of note, candidates who are CEOs, executives, or leadership program aficionados are not excluded from applying, but preference will be given to those who are not considered traditional leaders.
Participant Profile:
- Fellows must be current residents of Colorado.
- Fellows are the doers and difference makers in their communities.
- Fellows have a demonstrated, long-term commitment to Colorado, proven personal initiative, and a dedication to lifelong learning.
- Fellows can work in any sector or industry.
- Fellows possess leadership potential and are active in community or public service. This can be demonstrated through their profession or volunteer activities.
- Fellows are interested in connecting with others from across the state to learn and share resources and experiences.
2021 Cohort Profile:
- Average number of years serving Colorado communities: 15
- Sectors:
- Local Government
- Nonprofit
- Tribal Education
- Funding Capital for Rural Coloradan Entrepreneurs
- Geographic spread (by county):
- Alamosa, Garfield, Jefferson, Montezuma, Phillips, Routt
Boettcher Fellows
Identified by local leaders for their leadership potential and their commitment to the community, we are pleased to recognize the following individuals as Boettcher Fellows:
2022 Fellows
Letitica Bancroft
Youth Program Director, College Access Navigators, Fort Morgan
Chris Beasley
Youth Coordinator, Inside Out Youth Services, Colorado Springs
Shelby Clark
Executive Director of Yuma County Economic Development; Owner and Found of Shelby K Marketing, Wray
Lupita Garcia
Business Office Manager, Energy Resource Center, Alamosa
Dave Goe
Community Engagement Manager, Downtown Grand Junction, Grand Junction
Jennifer Holloway
Executive Director, Craig Chamber of Commerce, Craig
Gregory Kolomitz
President, KOLOMITZ & COMPANY, La Junta
Gillian Laycock
Assistant Town Manager, Town of Limon, Hugo
Gloria Perez
Lake County Wraparound Supervisor, Leadville
Esteban Salazar
Health and Wellness Coordinator, SLV GO!, Alamosa
2021 Fellows
Brisa Chavez
Hispanic Outreach Coordinator, Garfield County Public Health, Rifle
Trisha Herman
Eastern Community Relationship Manager, CHFA, Holyoke
Sherrell Lang
Co-Founder of Kwiyagat Community Academy (first charter school on Ute Mountain Reservation), Educator, and Volunteer, Towaoc
Azarel Madrigal
Executive Director, Southwest Community Fund, Alamosa
Mathew Mendisco
Town Manager of Hayden, Hayden
Adrian Mendoza
Counseling Manager at Denver Public Schools, Denver
The Doers & Difference Makers Fellowship is bringing together a cohort of talented individuals with a willingness to put in the work to make things happen from across our beautiful and diverse state.