Keynote Speakers

Gail Digate.  Gail A. Digate is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Leadership Learning Systems. She has more than 25 years experience in education, training and consulting. During the past decade, Ms. Digate has focused her consulting practice on accessing and designing strategies that improve individual, team, and organizational performance and effectiveness. Prior to founding LLS in 1991, Ms. Digate served as a teacher, principal, district administrator, and university instructor. As Executive Director of the Corridor Partnership for Excellence in Education (1985 - 1989) and director of outreach for the Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy (1989 - 1991), she worked directly with business, scientific, and education leaders throughout the nation to form systemic alliances and partnerships to improve teaching and learning in mathematics and science. For nearly 10 years, Ms. Digate served as President and Secretary on a local school board in Illinois. She was recognized by the National School Boards Association as one of the top 100 school leaders in North America (1985) and by Motorola University for outstanding contributions to team relations (1995 & 1996). Ms. Digate holds a Bachelor's Degree in psychology from the University of Missouri (Columbia), Master's Degrees in education and educational administration from Northern Illinois University, and has completed additional graduate work in leadership and policy studies.

Lewis M. Feldstein. Lewis M. Feldstein is President of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation (NHCF). The New Hampshire Charitable Foundation is New Hampshire’s statewide community foundation, a powerful force for change and the principal source of venture capital for the state’s nonprofit community.  The Foundation finished 2007 with close to $490 million in total assets, received more than $73 million in contributions, and distributed more than $32 million in grants, scholarships and initiatives.

 Feldstein worked with the civil rights movement in Mississippi and served for seven years in senior staff positions to New York City Mayor John V. Lindsay.  Prior to coming to the Charitable Foundation, Feldstein served as Provost of the Antioch/New England Graduate School.  He is a graduate of Brown University and holds a Master’s in Law and Diplomacy from Tufts University.  Among his singular achievements were seven-year tenure as the MC of the International Zucchini Festival, and a stint as wine steward and personal assistant to John Wayne on his yacht in the Mediterranean.

Feldstein serves on several boards, including the Boards of Directors of the Independent Sector and Civic Ventures.  He Co-Chaired with Robert Putnam the Harvard University three-year Executive Seminar Civic Engagement in America (www.ksg.harvard.edu/saguaro).  With Putnam he is a co-author of the book Better Together: Restoring the American Community published in the fall of 2003.  He has received six Honorary Doctorates.  Feldstein was selected as one of The 2008 NonProfit Times Power and Influence Top 50 members of the nonprofit world, one of the 100 people Who Shaped New Hampshire in the 20^th Century, published by the Concord Monitor, and one of the ten most influential people in New Hampshire by Business NH Magazine in 2001 and again in 2007.  He received the City Year NH Lifetime of Service Award in 2009.

Trainers & Facilitators

Dr. Duane Vandenbusche. Duane Vandenbusche has been a Professor of History at Western State College since 1962. He is the author of seven books on Colorado history, including Marble Colorado: City of Stone, Early Days in the Gunnison Country, A Land Alone: The Western Slope, Around Gunnison and Crested Butte, and The Black Canyon of the Gunnison. He earned his BA at Northern Michigan University (1959), and his MA and Ed.D. from Oklahoma State University (1960-1964). In addition, Dr. Vandenbusche served as the cross country coach at Western State College from 1971 to 2007, leading the men's and women's teams to a total of twelve NCAA championships and mentoring four track and field Olympians.

Jack Alexander is in his seventh year as President of the Helen K. and Arthur E. Johnson Foundation.  Previously, Jack served as Vice President for Development at the Colorado Symphony, and for 35 years served with private, medium sized colleges and universities, generally as chief development officer.  These institutions included Regis University, Loyola Marymount University, Cornell College, DePaul University, and Jacksonville University.  He also operated a development and public relations consulting firm for a number of years.  Jack has served as president of the Colorado Association of Funders and as president of the Colorado Association of Fund Raisers.  He is married to Sally and parents of two grown children and seven grandchildren.

Benito Cardenas, born and raised in south Texas, graduated from high school in San Antonio and went on to receive his B.S. in Family and Consumer Journalism at the University of Wisconsin.  After working in the advertising industry, he went on to receive his M.S. in Library and Information Science at the University of Illinois.  He worked in libraries in Illinois, Texas and Colorado before moving on to his current position as Director of One Telluride, developing a resource and referral organization to serve the immigrant and receiving communities and providing programs and opportunities in support of the organization’s mission of immigrant integration.  When he’s not working hard for the community, Benito enjoys snowboarding, camping, mountain biking and learning new things. 

Elaine Brett is principal consultant for EMB Associates LLC. She has worked in private, government and nonprofit sectors in organization development and change leadership. A graduate of the University of Maryland and Georgetown University, Elaine now lives in Hotchkiss, CO and is involved in numerous community organizations including the Black Canyon Land Trust and Western Colorado Food & Ag Council.

Luke Danielson is a Gunnison attorney who has more than thirty years experience with nonprofit organizations, as a lawyer, board member and employee. He has worked in the U.S. and abroad on issues from alternative energy to the social, economic and environmental impacts of mining, oil and gas, and other natural resource development. He is a Principal in the Sustainable Development Strategies Group, a Gunnison-based nonprofit.

Lisa Flores is Senior Program Officer at the Gates Family Foundation, where she reviews capital grant proposals for small and large projects throughout the state of Colorado. Previously, she served as senior staff to Denver’s Mayor Hickenlooper. Earlier in her career (when she had more energy than experience), she served as executive director and raised operating and capital funds for the Denver Inner City Parish, a multigenerational community center. Flores received her Master’s in Nonprofit Management at Regis University and is an alumni trainer for the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training.

Mark Ewing moved to Crested Butte seeking relaxation and a peaceful lifestyle in 2003.  He began as the Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce in Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte, then returned to the Mortgage Lending Business in 2006, joining Community Banks of Colorado as a Mortgage Banking Officer.  Mark is Vice President and Vice Chairman of the Board for the Community Foundation of the Gunnison Valley, member of the Board of the Junior Achievement Organization in Crested Butte and Gunnison, an Elder at the Oh-Be-Joyful Church in Crested Butte.  He has helped lead the Gunnison Valley Leadership Group and has been instrumental in organizing the Civility Initiative of the Gunnison Valley.  In his spare time Mark likes to ski and fish; if he could find a way to combine those activities, his life would be full. 

Sarah Fischler is the Director of Organizational Development Services for the Community Resource Center and oversees CRC’s training, consulting, and rural outreach activities.  Previously, Sarah served as the Director of Grantmaking and Mission Initiatives for the Denver Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure where she oversaw the distribution of nearly $10 million in funding.  Sarah graduated from the University of Colorado with a bachelor of arts in history, a bachelor of science in business administration, and a master’s degree in public administration.  Sarah brings expertise in grantmaking, board development, fundraising, planning, organizational assessment, and program development, management, and evaluation to CRC.  Sarah is also the co-author of Engaging Tomorrow’s Donors Today, a toolkit for nonprofits interested in utilizing social media tools and developing specific strategies to attract and engage younger donors.

Kim Gailey is a sixteen year veteran in the field of human resources management.  Her career as an HR generalist has included responsibilities for employee recruitment, compensation planning, managing reorganizations, structuring layoffs and the employee relations issues encountered in all phases of employment.  As a Director of Human Resources for ten years in the resort industry and six years in higher education, she has balanced human relations, risk management and economics in a broad range of work environments.  She is currently the Director of Human Resources at Western State College of Colorado, residing in Gunnison with her husband of 24 years and their two rescue cats.

Dan Harris is Vice President, Charitable Consultant, with the Wells Fargo Charitable Management Group.  Prior to joining Wells Fargo in 2006, Dan was director of gift planning for Community First Foundation, a position he held for five years.  Dan has over 18 years of financial markets experience, including positions in the United States, Japan, and Germany.  Dan holds a BA from McGill University in Montreal and an MBA in finance from The University of Texas.  Dan is a volunteer with a number of nonprofit organizations including the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable where he has served on the board for five years, and was President in 2007. Dan is a frequent speaker on gift planning and philanthropy.

Sharon Knight is Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of the Colorado Nonprofit Association. Sharon joined the Association in May 2005, stepping into the Chief Operating Officer position in 2006, and briefly serving as interim President and CEO in 2008-2009.  In addition to broad supervisory responsibilities, she provides leadership in the areas of programs, fundraising, communications, and budget and acts as the primary spokesperson for the organization. During her tenure at the Association, Sharon has helped to double the size of the budget and staff in order to better serve the nonprofit sector, established the Leadership Luncheon Series, improved research and communications from the organization, and provided leadership to the Colorado Generosity Project and the Principles and Practices for Nonprofit Excellence Program. She recently spearheaded the Generous Colorado Campaign, ads and website to help increase philanthropy and engagement in the nonprofit sector. Prior to the Association, Sharon was Executive Director of the Front Range Community College Foundation for eight years.

Rebecca Larson/a> is a Regional Prevention Consultant with OMNI Institute.  Ms. Larson lives in Dolores and covers eleven counties in southwest Colorado.  She has been working in the field of prevention for more than ten years including direct service with adolescents, coalition coordination, and infrastructure development.  Ms. Larson works closely with providers in her region addressing their prevention needs in a community-friendly manner.

Marilyn Laverty is the Director of the Small Business Development Center for Region 10 -- providing organizational consulting in strategic thinking, business planning, marketing, accounting, financial reporting, cash flow and personnel. She emphasizes “buy-in” on decisions to optimize execution. Marilyn is often asked to speak at conferences in the subjects of Strategic Planning, Strategic Thinking and Managing at the Speed of Change.  Laverty is an honors graduate of the University of Denver and earned her CPA with Deloitte and Touche. She is one of the original members of the virtual team that founded The Women's Vision Leadership Institute, a year long coaching and development process for fast track managers.  Marilyn and has served as a board member for various Colorado nonprofits.

April Montgomery has worked as the Programs Director for the Telluride Foundation for four years, where she helps to manage their nonprofit building capacity efforts, grant program and initiatives.  April also has had a consulting business since 2001, where she provides nonprofit and government organizations with grant writing, legal, project management, strategic planning and land use planning assistance.  April was a planner and the Open Space & Recreation Director for San Miguel County from 1991 to 1999.  She has a BA degree in Government from the University of Virginia and received her law degree from the University of Virginia in 1989; she is currently a member of the Colorado Bar.  April serves on numerous boards including the Trust for Land Restoration, the Uncompahgre Medical Clinic, and the Southwestern Water Conservancy District.

Lauren Price is a Consultant and Trainer at the Community/st1:PlaceName> Resource Center, consulting with clients across the state in strategic planning, board governance, major donor development, 501(c)(3) development, and fund planning. A graduate of the University of Notre Dame, Lauren has served as the campaign manager for the $19 million comprehensive campaign at the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver, grantwriter and fundraising consultant for arts organizations serving the physically disabled, and as interim campaign director for Aspen Education Foundation’s $28 million campaign feasibility study. She is passionate about the transformative power of Colorado’s nonprofits and dedicated to the continuous improvement of the sector. While she currently serves on the Finance and Development Committees of the Cherry Creek Chorale and on the Board of Advisors of the Center for Christian-Jewish Dialogue in Colorado Springs, one of her most fulfilling professional opportunities is working with RPD Steering Committees across the state.

Jeff Pryor is the Executive Director of the Anschutz Family Foundation and an adjunct faculty at Regis University's Masters of Nonprofit Management Program.  Jeff has a sustained commitment to the nonprofit sector in Colorado, and was a founding board member of Colorado Youth Corps Association, co-founded Volunteers for Outdoor Colorado, and served on the Colorado Governor’s Commission on Community Service.  Jeff was also instrumental in helping establish a graduate school for NGO leadership and management in South Africa.  He is the recipient of the Colorado Nonprofit Association’s 2009 Steve Graham Award for Building Nonprofit Capacity.

Illene Roggensack is the owner of Third Sector Innovations, based in Grand Junction and working with nonprofit and governmental organizations to meet planning, staffing structure, marketing and market assessment, fundraising, leadership and other development needs. Formed in 1994, the heart of the business has been in projects for Western and rural Colorado’s small- and mid-sized grassroots agencies.  Illene’s expertise as a nonprofit generalist comes from more than 23 years as an executive director, fundraising director, board member, volunteer and consultant.  This experience is coupled with an MBA, a BA in journalism and recognition as a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE).  She is a Past President for the Colorado Nonprofit Association and the Grand Junction Lions Club.

Dr. Pam Shipp has gained international recognition as an educator and psychologist.  She recently retired as a Senior Program Associate at the Center for Creative Leadership where she managed the nonprofit programs at the Colorado Springs campus.  Pam worked for the Center since 1985 as a feedback specialist and joined the faculty full time in 1996.  Prior to joining the Center, she worked as a public school administrator, a business management consultant, and psychotherapist.  Pam is a member of the Association of Black Psychologists, a past president of the Denver/Rocky Mountain chapter and has served as both Vice-Chair and Chairperson of the General Assembly. She has served on the Board of Directors for the Colorado Springs Children’s Museum; The Boys and Girls Club of the Pikes Peak Region; and the Colorado Springs Human Relations Board. She is currently a member of the Colorado Springs Black Leadership Forum, the El Pomar Foundation Advisory Board and the Colorado Springs Community Foundation. Pam has been recognized in Who’s Who in Black Colorado Springs, is a recipient of the NAACP Community Service Award and featured in the Gazette Telegraph’s Women at the Top.

Susan Steele is the Executive Director of the Temple Hoyne Buell Foundation.  More coming soon!

Marc and Alowetta Terrien purchased the Thin Air Software Company based in Crested Butte in 2007, and merged it with an existing business. As a website development and hosting company, thin air media solutions serves more than 200 website clients through CompleteSite, data-driven and dynamic software that allows clients to make updates and changes to their own website without the need for a "webmaster." As owner and President, Marc Terrien has more than 20 years experience in marketing, printing, and management experience.  Marc brings not only sales and marketing experience, but also an extensive background in computer networking, system servers and hardware maintenance. As owner and Vice-President, Alowetta Terrien has more than 20 years experience in nonprofit work, as an employee, executive director, board member and training consultant. She now spends her time at thin air media solutions helping clients translate "geek-speak" into regular language, and experimenting with CompleteSite to see if she can break it! (So far, she hasn't!)

Alexis Weightman is the evaluation director at the Colorado Health Foundation. In this role, she works to implement appropriate evaluation strategies and ensure that each grant includes measurable results in support of the Foundation’s goals around health care, health coverage, and healthy living. Prior to joining the Foundation, Alexis worked for the Science and Technology Policy Institute, a federally funded research and development center based in Washington, D.C. In this capacity, she led large-scale program evaluations for the National Institutes of Health, the National Science Foundation, and the National Science Board.  Additionally she conducted policy analyses for the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy.  Alexis holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and mathematics from Middlebury College and a master’s degree in public policy from the University of Denver.

Donald Wills has been the Executive Director of Gunnison Area Restorative Practices since October, 2006, where he is able to be directly involved in his passions, including Working with youth and adults in need of restorative practices while repairing harms, restoring relationships and rebuilding communities.  Don has also served his communities as the minister of a number of churches and has served on many nonprofit boards of directors.  Don has a bachelor of science in social sciences, a master of divinity, and a juris doctor.