Young Leaders Program – Ignite 2022 “Building Blocks”
| The Young Leaders Program provides comprehensive support to Greenhouse Scholars Alums in the early stages of their career and post-college life. We are excited to kick off the Young Leaders Program with Ignite! A two-day conference weekend for alumni to join the Greenhouse Community for networking, collaboration, learning, idea creation, and relationship building to launch their commitment to being a Young Leader. The kickoff year will focus on the theme “Building Blocks” and celebrate the start of the program and dive into its core components (learning, relationships, and entrepreneurship) and themes (leadership, professional development, personal development, and community change). |
2022 Ignite Speaker Preview
Pete Burridge
(Leadership Workshop)
President & CEO,
Greenhouse Scholars
Pete Burridge is the founder of Greenhouse Scholars and its sister companies, Greenhouse Partners and Pete founded Greenhouse Scholars in order to create a Whole Person program that makes a broad and lasting impact by helping students to become community leaders that create change that will last through the generations. He believes that each of us is accountable to give back to the community.
Charles E. Dukes
(Professional Panel)
Director of Social Responsibility,
Wend Collective
Charles Dukes serves as an educational strategist for Wend Collective. As a member of the Wend team, Dukes coordinates youth development opportunities to enhance and improve the educational ecosystem. Before joining Wend Collective, Dukes dedicated a significant amount of his career as an education policy director and central office school district administrator.
Wendy Guardado
(Personal Panel)
Communications & Policy Associate, INCLUDEnyc
Wendy Guardado is a Greenhouse Scholars alumna and holds a Masters in Special Education from Hunter College in New York and was a Bilingual General and Special Education teacher in all content areas for six years. She was elected as her school’s United Federation of Teachers Union Leader for three of those years and made the full transition to the policy sector through the Bronx Borough President’s Office as an education analyst.
Meseret Hailu, PhD
(Personal Panel)
Assistant Professor,
Arizona State University
Dr. Meseret Hailu is a Greenhouse Scholars alumna and Assistant Professor of Higher and Postsecondary Education in the Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, Arizona State University. Her research focuses on the pursuit of gender equity in STEM education with a focus on the strategies, programs, and systems that help historically underrepresented students and faculty succeed in these fields.
Kimmy Paluch
(Professional Panel)
Managing Partner,
Beta Boom
Kimmy Paluch is the founder and Managing Partner of Beta Boom, an early-stage venture fund that invests in software companies that are building the future for women and multicultural consumers in the U.S. Prior to Beta Boom, Kimmy founded and ran a Silicon Valley innovation firm for 12 and currently sits on the boards of Intermountain Healthcare and Utah African American Chamber of Commerce Charitable Foundation. Kimmy earned her B.A. in Computer Science from Dartmouth College and MBA from MIT Sloan School of Management.
Lindsey Price
(Featured Facilitator)
Business Owner and CFO,
Denver Modern
Lindsey Price founded Denver Modern in 2018 with her husband, Donnie, as an approachable, modern furniture brand that focuses on authentically timeless style comfort. She combines her passion for problem solving and scale building after 10 years of management consulting with his intense love of beautiful products and e-comm strategy. It brings Lindsey immense joy to lead a growing business with her spouse – from working together at their kitchen table, to adding a showroom and warehouse, with 10+ bright and capable folks working side-by-side. Prior to that, Lindsey was a Senior Associate at Greenhouse Scholars where she loved working directly on the Program.
Kyle Pollock, PE
(Personal Panel)
Civil Engineering Project Manager,
Galloway & Company, Inc.
Kyle Pollock is a Greenhouse Scholars alumnus and a Civil Engineering Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the land development sector with experience in residential, office and retail, hotel, industrial, and public projects. Kyle is skilled in the management, design, and analysis of site layout, wet utilities, grading, and drainage.
Alfredo Reyes
(Personal Panel)
Executive Director,
Latino Cultural Arts Center
Alfredo Reyes is a Greenhouse Scholar alumnus and a first-generation American and the son of Mexican nationals, Aurora and Juventino, who taught him to believe in the transformative power of education. He is currently the Executive Director of the Latino Cultural Arts Center, a project he conceptualized during his MA at CU Boulder in Educational Foundations, Policy, and Practice.
David J. Rolla, JD
(Professional Panel)
Mergers + Acquisitions Associate,
Morrison & Foerster
David Rolla is a Greenhouse Scholar alumnus and associate in the Denver office of Morrison & Foerster and a member of the firm’s Corporate Department. David advises public and private companies in connection with domestic and cross-border mergers and acquisitions.
Erin Weed
(Community Change Workshop)
Speaker / Author / Visual Artist,
Erin Weed, Inc.
Erin Weed’s career began in Chicago, working in public affairs and media relations. She later worked in New York City, producing documentaries and reality TV shows. Her career shifted gears after her friend was murdered in 2001. For the past 10 years, Erin has worked as a leadership development expert with a passion for honest communication. She helps leaders get clear about who they are, what they stand for and how to express it authentically. She has worked with 1,000+ people, resulting in viral TED talks, company manifestos and thought leadership programs.
Eric Zacharias, MD
(Professional Panel)
Director of Medical Education,
COPIC
Dr. Eric Zacharias has been involved with COPIC for over ten years, first as a member of the clinical faculty and, most recently, as a Patient Safety and Risk Management consultant and the creator/host of COPIC’s “Within Normal Limits” podcast. He embodies COPIC’s mission of “improving medicine in the communities we serve” through his professional interest in medical education.
Tags: Young Leaders Program
Summer Symposium 2022
Exploring the Value of Leadership
| At this year’s Summer Symposium we aim to demonstrate the value of leadership. At Greenhouse Scholars we are Leading Forward. This conveys the idea of coming together under the flag of forward momentum-your own as well as your communities. Inspiring you to go back and build on your success. Always leading, and more importantly, always moving forward. |
What is Summer Symposium? It is a key component of our Greenhouse Scholars program, bringing all of our Scholars together for peer support and learning. An annual, multi-day gathering, Summer Symposium includes workshops, speakers, panel discussions, and group projects that encourage Scholars to explore their core values, expand their thinking, and cultivate their leadership skills.
We’re thrilled to announce that this year’s Summer Symposium will be held at the CU Boulder Center for Academic Success and Engagement (CASE).
2022 Symposium Speakers
Reggie Rivers
Monday, August 8th at 8:30 AM
Reggie Rivers is a Denver Broncos running back for six seasons and two-time Broncos NFL Man of the Year. He has been inducted into the Southland Conference Hall of Honor and the Texas State University Hall of Honor. He is a media personality that’s worked in radio, newspaper, and television in Colorado. He has written five books, including the award-winning novel “The Colony: A Political Tale”. He is known for his motivational speeches about leadership and teamwork lessons learned in his time in the National Football League.
Angel Eduardo
Monday, August 8th at 9:45 AM
Angel Eduardo is a NYC based writer, musician, photographer, and designer. He is best known for promoting the concept on acknowledging their good intentions and your shared desires despite your disagreements when arguing with others. Angel is an Advisory Board member, FAIR in the Arts Fellow, and Director of Messaging & Editorial for the Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism (FAIR). His writing can be find in Center for Inquiry’s blog, Newsweek, Areo Magazine, Mr. Beller’s Neighborhood, and The Caribbean Writer.
Jarvis Sam
Monday, August 8th at 11:00 AM
Jarvis Sam is Vice President, Global Diversity & Inclusion at Nike Inc. and was recently named to Forbes 30 Under 30 in Sports class of 2021 as well as Portland Business Journal’s 40 Under 40. In his current role, he oversees a team of people focused on driving diverse representation, inclusive leader and social justice education, professional development and the ecosystem of promoting and creating a culture of belonging inside and outside of Nike. Jarvis is a graduate of Rice University and he began his career as a strategy and operations consultant with Deloitte Consulting in Houston. Jarvis will receive his MBA from Brown University and IE School of Business in May 2022.
Britney Robbins
Monday, August 8th at 1:00 PM
Britney Robbins, named one of the 26 Most Influential and 20 Most Inspiring Chicagoans. In 2016, she started The Gray Matter Experience – a non profit dedicated to unlocking the self-determining power of Black youth and strengthening their ties to community through real world experience in entrepreneurship. Britney has worked within Chicago’s entrepreneurship and tech community for the past seven years. Most recently, she has become the Relationship Manager for CAST US, a multi-million dollar venture capital fund led by Don Thompson of Cleveland Avenue.
Todd Ebert
Monday, August 8th at 1:00 PM
Todd Ebert is the Chief Marketing Officer at BrightAl. He has spent 25 years leading marketing teams in driving rapid growth and increasing enterprise value. Todd has merged in powerful and meaningful ways at the intersection of the art and science of marketing. He has served on the Greenhouse Scholars selection team and continues to offer his expertise to our community. Todd has an MBA in marketing from the University of Texas at Austin.
Kate Siegel Shimko
Monday, August 8th at 1:00 PM
Kate Siegel Shimko currently serves as the Director of Boards and Commissions for the Colorado Governor’s Office. Prior to taking on this role in 2019, Kate worked for the Governor in a variety of capacities.
Michelle Lehman
Monday, August 8th at 1:00 PM
Michelle Lehman is a Greenhouse Scholar from the class of 2019. She graduated with a degree in neuroscience from Middlebury College. She is currently an animation and video Specialist at Quantum Design. She works within a niche that intersects 2D and 3D computer graphics with science. Before Quantum Design she worked at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.
Mimi Chau
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Mimi Chau is a Greenhouse Scholars alum and is a pediatrician at Community Health Care, a federally qualified health care center, in Tacoma WA. She received her degrees from Stanford University and the University of Colorado.
Richard Maez
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Richard Maez is a class of 2015 Greenhouse Scholar. He is the director of Programs at Ednium: The Alumni Collective. He has a bachelor of Arts from the University of Denver.He is a site director for Minds Matter of Denver and board member for Hugh O’Brian Youth Leadership Program of Colorado
Nick Tarleton
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Nick Tarleton is a class of 2016 Greenhouse Scholar, he graduated with a bachelors of science in Food Science and Human Nutrition from University of Illinois. He has gone on to work at the Kraft Heinz Company as a manager. He is a supervisor of U.S. supply chain management at McDonalds greater Chicago area. He is also the lead of cultural communications in McDonald’s African-American Council at the global headquarters level. Nick has stayed connected with the Greenhouse Scholars community as a mentor and volunteer.
Adriana Gomez
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Adriana is a class of 2018 Greenhouse Scholar with an undergraduate degree in Public Health and Political Science from the University of Colorado-Denver. Adriana is a Science and Research Analyst at Abt Associates. She is a recent graduate of Georgetown University with a Master of Science in Microbiology and Immunology. As a first generation college graduate, she has dedicated herself to following her true passion in health care and consistently seeking opportunities that allow her to use her strengths to help create health equity.
Michelle Kruk
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Michelle is a proud class of 2016 Greenhouse Scholar and originally joined the family as part of the first class from Illinois. Passionate about the intersection of science and education, Michelle spent a year abroad in Poland after graduating through a Fulbright Fellowship. There, she taught English and Environmental Sociology to graduate students at the Politechnika Czestochowska. She returned to the States and continued her pursuit for equity in STEM by joining Teach For America as a San Antonio corps member. Michelle taught middle school science and math in the Alamo City and spent her summers partnering with Kode With Klossy, a program that brings free coding camps to teenage girls across the nation.
Saul Huerta
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Saul is class of 2011 Greenhouse Scholar. Saul graduated from the University of Denver with a degree in Finance and was named one of ColoradoBiz Magazine’s top 25 young professionals in 2020. Saul is the current Chief Accounting Officer for the Greenhouse Family of Companies.
Jamal Sims
Monday, August 9th at 2:00 PM
Jamal is originally from Illinois where he also attended undergrad and pharmacy school at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. After earning his PharmD, Jamal went on to complete a clinical pharmacy practice residency at Mountainview Hospital in Las Vegas, Nevada. He earned his Executive Master’s in Healthcare Administration from University of Nevada, Las Vegas. He also had the opportunity to serve as an oncology pharmacy specialist for the medical oncology team. Currently, Jamal works as an oncology medical science liaison for Bayer pharmaceuticals where he serves as a scientific resource and expert on medications/research in relation to treating prostate cancer.
Ahnika Leroy
Monday, August 8th at 2:00 PM
Ahnika is an Offering Manager at IBM where she focuses on providing technology solutions for the Federal Government to better serve state/local and national communities. Ahnika studied Economics at CU Boulder and graduated magna cum laude in 2018.
Tinisha Dorsey
Monday, August 8th at 3:15 PM
Tinisha Dorsey is a Principal of the Mercer Life, Absence and Disability (LAD) practice in the Central Region. Tinisha’s career spans more than 20 years of director-level consulting experience at such notable firms as MetLife and W.W. Grainger. Tinisha serves as a mentor to some of Mercer’s rising stars and she is active in a number of Business Resource Groups (BRG) and Professional Organizations. Some of her most notable roles include co-leading the Chicago & Milwaukee Racial & Ethnic Diversity BRG and serving as the LAD Carrier Relations Executive Sponsor. She is a Fortune Connect Fellow as well as an active member of the National African American Insurance Association (NAAIA). Tinisha volunteers serving on the Board of Directors as the Business Manager for The Spirited Pearls Foundation.Her hobbies are filmmaking, baking and fitness, and most importantly, she is a proud wife of 24 years and fan-mother of three college level and high school athletes.
Ben Bressler
Monday, August 8th at 4:00 PM
Ben was raised in New Jersey and received his higher education at Skidmore College in Saratoga, New York. In the past 35 years since, Ben has grown Nat Hab to become a global leader in nature travel, offering life-enhancing adventures to the world’s most wondrous wild places. He himself has journeyed to dozens of countries in search of spectacular nature experiences…and a good time, whenever possible. Aside from heading a meaningful company that provides “The World’s Greatest Nature Expeditions,” Ben’s professional ambition is to change the way people think about travel, from large group consumptive tours to small group, personal travel experiences that serve to protect the areas they visit and preserve the planet. When he’s not working, Ben rides his mountain bike, skis, smokes Cuban cigars and enjoys time with his family.
Pete Burridge
Tuesday, August 9th at 8:45 AM
Pete is the founder of Greenhouse Scholars and its sister companies, Greenhouse Partners and The18.com. An entrepreneur his entire career, he has been a part of starting seven companies. Pete founded Greenhouse Scholars in order to create a Whole Person program that makes a broad and lasting impact by helping students to become community leaders that create change that will last through the generations. He believes that each of us is accountable to give back to the community. Pete lives in Boulder with his amazing wife and four equally amazing daughters. He spends most of his free time watching his girls compete in soccer and basketball across the state and country. Occasionally, he can be found fly fishing, snowboarding, and running and biking the mountain trails around Boulder.
Jamie Clay
Tuesday, August 9th at 8:45 AM
Jamie is a senior associate at Greenhouse Scholars. Jamie is a first-generation college and post-college graduate. She received her bachelor’s degree in journalism and communications from Indiana University and master’s degree in nonprofit management from Case Western Reserve University (CWRU). Jamie is a results and mission-driven nonprofit leader, relationship and team builder, and project management ninja that brings 18 years of experience in the nonprofit sector to Greenhouse Scholars. She started her career in arts management at the Carnegie Museums of Pittsburgh and after moving to Cleveland, focused primarily on education operations management, events and fundraising.
La’Shanda Holmes
Tuesday, August 9th at 11:00 AM
La’Shanda R. Holmes is a Lieutenant Commander in the U.S. Coast Guard. She became the first African-American female helicopter pilot for the Coast Guard, and she has amassed over 2,000 flight hours conducting search and rescue, counter drug, law enforcement, and Presidential air-intercept missions. She was appointed as a White House Fellow in 2015 by President Barack Obama. From 2015 to 2016 she was the Special Assistant to the NASA Administrator General Charles F. Bolden. Holmes is currently finishing up a master’s degree in administrative leadership and plans to write a book.
Leon Burnette
Tuesday, August 9th at 2:45 PM
Leon Burnette is a Diversity and Civil Rights Activist, Tour Director, Educator, Author, Event Producer and Youth Mentor. Leon began his 45-year journey as a Tour Director and Music Executive working for A-list companies and recording. He is the owner operator of Civil Rights Trail Tours and the Director of The Diversity Project for Trip School. In addition he is the author of Trip Schools “Civil Rights Trail Tours-A Guidebook for Tour Professional and Teachers”. Leon is the Founder and CEO of The Media Arts Institute, a 501 c3 non-profits youth travel and leadership program that trains, mentors, and places youth in internships and permanent jobs in the Media, Travel, and Tourism Industries. The Media Arts youth travel program uses Civil Rights history tours to help inner-city youth become global travelers, confront prejudice and racism while empowering them with the decision-making skills to become adults who change the world for the better.
Tags: Summer Symposium
Annual Inspire
| We’re so excited to announce that a record number of Scholars, as well as alumni and out-of-town supporters, are planning to attend Annual Inspire this year. We hope you will join us for an evening of engagement, conversation, and connection! |
New Location: The Folsom Field Rooftop Terrace
New Time: 5-7 pm on Sunday, August 7th 2022
What is Annual Inspire?
It’s a gathering of the entire Greenhouse Scholars community including current and previous Scholars, volunteers, donors, and staff. Our intention is to provide an opportunity for this dynamic group to come together, learn from each other, and connect on a meaningful level. Annual Inspire is the ideal opportunity to invite friends, family, and colleagues who are curious about Greenhouse Scholars.
A look back at the 2021 Annual Inspire!
Our keynote speaker will be Dr. Isra Ahmed. Isra is a Greenhouse Scholar alumna from the class of 2011. She majored in Mathematics and Chemistry at the University of Colorado Boulder, attended the University of Colorado School of Dentistry, and completed a prestigious, 3-year prosthodontist residency at the University of Texas San Antonio. Doctor Ahmed now owns and runs 2 dental practices in Parker and Fort Collins, CO.
Isra credits Greenhouse Scholars for helping her hone her skills in leadership, networking, and entrepreneurship — all qualities that were integral in her journey from Sudanese refugee to successful business owner.
This year at Annual Inspire, we’re bringing back a popular activity from 2019, Community Conversations. We’ll facilitate as attendees discuss thought-provoking topics with over 100 current and former Greenhouse Scholars. We promise you’ll leave inspired!
Learn more at AnnualInspire.org
Tags: Annual Inspire, Event, Greenhouse Scholars
Launching The Young Leaders Program For Greenhouse Scholars Alumni!
Announcing the most significant and exciting new change in the history of Greenhouse Scholars!
Since our inception, we have worked with the highest-performing young leaders from under-resourced communities so they can thrive during college and drive change in their communities after college.
We are launching the Young Leaders Program to continue that support with our Scholars as they transition into their professional lives. With this program, we’re taking aim at the uneven playing field that continues after college, and we’re furthering our goal of creating a community of leaders that have real impact within their communities and around the world.
The Young Leaders Program will be available to all alumni under 30 and focus on…
LEARNING
With a comprehensive and personalized system of resources, professional advisors, and personal coaches we’ll help our alumni gain the knowledge they’ll need to maximize their potential as leaders, professionals, community members, and change makers.
RELATIONSHIPS
Through a combination of online engagement, events, workshops, and job connectivity initiatives, we’ll help foster relationships that matter for powering ideas, actions, and community change.
ENTREPRENEURSHIP
Using best-in-practice methods, we’ll help alumni create and sharpen business ideas at every stage of development. From ideation to business resources to seed funding, we’re building an ecosystem to develop entrepreneurial mindsets and launch high-potential ideas.
Why now?
For 17 years, Greenhouse Scholars has provided young leaders with resources to elevate their college careers and their ongoing community impact. We have implemented a program that has been wildly successful, and it’s time to formalize and deepen our reach beyond college. We’ve determined that many of our Scholars would benefit from continued professional, personal, and impact growth resources, and we’ve been preparing for this moment by training staff, implementing systems, and honing our programs.
Who will lead the Young Leaders Program?
Our current senior team will be deeply involved, and we’ve made two new hires to help build momentum for this new initiative, Jamie Clay and Greenhouse Scholars alum Michelle Kruk. Jamie and Michelle are exceptional and will be 100 percent focused on building the Young Leaders Program the right way.
You can become a catalyst for change with us by giving today. Any amount is greatly appreciated, and your gift allows us to continue supporting lasting generational change in low-income communities by cultivating leaders from those communities. Initial investors have already committed over $500k. Please join them in fueling our momentum! We are ready for this next step.
Want to learn more? Stay connected!
To stay up to date on the Young Leaders Program and how we are providing comprehensive support to alumni in the early stages of their career and post-college life, click here.
Tags: Young Leaders Program
Glass Half Full is on May 13th!
| Denver’s premier philanthropic food and drink event features cocktails, beer, and wine from local purveyors, cuisine from top local restaurants, and not-to-be-missed silent and live auction items. This year’s event, at the beautiful McNichols Center in Denver, CO is a great opportunity to meet Greenhouse Scholars and other community members.– It’s Time to Gather! Learn More & RSVP Here > |
Tags: Glass Half Full
The Annual Growth Report
The Growth Report embodies the past year of Greenhouse Scholars’ work. In it, we share our successes, detail our results and impact, illuminate the incredible stories of our Scholars, and thank our community of supporters. This is a great way for people to get to know us better, and we’re excited to share it with you.
The Greenhouse Scholars 2022 Application Cycle is Open!
With Greenhouse Scholars, you will start a ripple of impact in your communities and in the world.
Greenhouse Scholars offers a unique Whole Person Program including personal, professional, and financial support to students from marginalized backgrounds throughout college. Our program is not just about getting to graduation, it’s about preparing for life after college and working to evolve the communities of the world.
Saturday, August 28th – Come Fly with Us!
We’re so excited to welcome our CO riding community back for Venus de Miles 2021! We have a new venue (beautiful Bohn Park in downtown Lyons, CO) and three breath-taking rides to choose from (33 miles, 66 miles, or 100 miles). After you work hard, you’ll be rewarded with food trucks, drinks, and great music!
To learn more, visit venusdemiles.com
There’s still time to register and 100% of registration fees and money raised goes to Greenhouse Scholars!
Register Here
Want another way to get involved? We need volunteers to support our riders! Perks include a t-shirt, vendor goodies, a delicious meal, plus post-ride drinks and pampering. Bring a friend and join us for a day of fun and community!
Volunteer
Thank you to our Presenting Sponsor:
Thank you to our Titanium Sponsor:
Tags: Event, Greenhouse Scholars, Venus de Miles