Meet the Partnership

Community Leaders Council

Community Leaders Council

As a Collective Impact network, the CLC is comprised of community leaders of entities from across the Adams/Broomfield/Aurora/Arvada region who work to engage their own organizations in collaborative projects towards their shared goals.

Specifically, CLC members:

  • Follow the evidenced based StriveTogether approach
  • Contribute to developing the strategic priorities for the network
  • Engage on existing project teams (or ensure their entity is participating)
  • Identify opportunities for potential projects that are in alignment with established goals (to be put through a formal process for adoption)
  • Hold the region accountable to impact
  • Ensure organizational buy-in and representation on projects
  • Make necessary changes to policies and practices that help advance their goals

CLC Members commit to:

  • Following core tenants of the StriveTogether framework:
    • We are better when we are working together
    • We use data to drive action
    • We work to impact systems, not just programs and behaviors
    • We engage community members most impacted by our work to make change
    • We are working towards a common vision
  • Working on projects that are in alignment with the collective goals of RMP
  • Making a financial investment to support the collective work or having reciprocal leadership representation

The Community Leaders Council is NOT the Board of Directors for the Backbone Team (a 501(c)(3) organization). The Board of Directors for the Backbone Team holds fiduciary responsibility and oversight of the Backbone Team and organization, and ensures that there are staff and resources in place to support The Partnership. Learn more HERE.

To learn about how you can get involved with the Community Leaders Council, contact RMP Senior Director of Stakeholder Engagement Jody Nowicki at JodyNowicki@RMPBackbone.org


Community Leaders Council Co-Chairs:

 

The Community Leaders Council and Civic Influencer Coalition are led by Co-Chairs that include representatives from both groups that serves as the Executive Committee of RMP.

RMP Co-Chairs:

Help ensure information is liaised between both the Community Coalition and the Community Leaders Council
Confirm new community members and partners joining the network
Works with RMP Backbone Team to prepare for upcoming meetings, work sessions, and innovation labs
Chairs hold one of the following seats:

  • Local Government
  • Education
  • Business
  • Social Sector
  • At Large
  • The chair of the Civic Influencer Council
  • The chair of the Backbone Board of Directors

Coming in 2024

  • Local Government 
  • Healthcare

 


Community Leaders Council Members:

 

Dr. Cynthia Armendariz

Director, Colorado Opportunity Scholarship Initiative, Colorado Department of Higher Education

 

Lori L. Bailey

Director, Student Engagement Initiatives, Adams 12 Five Star Schools

 

Jason Batchelor

Interim City Manager, City of Aurora 

 

Debra Bristol

Executive Director, Brighton Housing Authority

 

 

 

 

Larry Dorr

Chief Financial Officer, City of Westminster 

Chief Bill Dunning

Division Chief, Adams County Sheriff’s Department

Dr. James Duffy

Chief Operating Officer, Westminster Public Schools

Curtis Esquibel

Director of Communications & Community Engagement, Boettcher Foundation

Vice-Chair of the Board

 

 

 

 

Dr. Jessica Fiedler

Executive Director, Almost Home 

Mark Fink

Executive Director, Anythink Libraries

Letia Frandina

Executive Director, Adams County Education Consortium 

Arif Gangi

President/CEO, Neon Rain Interactive

Interim Treasurer of the Board

 

 

 

 

Gabriel Castaño, EdD

Vice President, Enrollment Management & Student Success, Front Range Community College

Chris Gdowski

Superintendent,
Adams 12 Five Star Schools

Heather Geyer 

City Manager, City of Northglenn

Carla Godec 

Program Officer, Anschutz Foundation

 

 

 

 

Maria Gonzalez

Founder/CEO, Adelante Community Development

Rachel Gruber 

Manager of Regional Affairs, Denver International Airport 

Whitney Gustin Connor

Executive Director, Kids First Health Care

Ted Harms

Executive Director, Anschutz Foundation

 

 

 

 

Lisa Hough 

President/CEO Adams County Regional Economic Partnership (AC-REP)

Levon Hupfer

Director of Diversion, Health & Legislation, 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office

Amanda Jones 

Chief Clinical Officer, Community Reach Center

Lindsay Kimball

Economic Development Director, City of Westminster 

 

 

 

 

Stephanie Knight 

Executive Director, CO Inclusive Economy

Matt Manning

Senior Pastor, Crossroads Church

Carina Martin 

CEO and Founder, A Precious Child

Brian Mason

District Attorney, 17th Judicial District – District Attorney’s Office

 

 

 

 

Ryan McCoy 

Executive Director of Postsecondary and Workforce Readiness, Westminster Public Schools

Omar Montgomery

President of the Aurora NAACP,
Director of Equity, Culture,
& Community Engagement,
Cherry Creek School District

Katie O’Donnell

Director of Communications and Public Engagement, Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA)

Iza Petrykowska

Senior Economic Development Specialist, Arvada Economic Development Association

 

 

 

 

Chief Don Quick 

Chief Judge, 17th Judicial District Courts

Jordan Reck

Senior Organizational Change Manager, Collaborative Solutions, LLC

Secretary of the Board

Carolyn “CJ” Renaud

Director of Business Partnerships, CareerWise Colorado

Jason Rogers

City Manager, City of Commerce City 

 

 

 

 

Lindsay Salas

Executive Director, CASA of Adams & Broomfield Counties

Constance Schmidt

      Chief Executive Officer,

Common Spirit – St. Anthony North Health Campus

Ana Soler

      Senior Program Officer of Education,

Gates Family Foundation

Jaylin Stotler

Deputy Director at City of Thornton Parks,

Recreation & Community Programs, City of Thornton

 

     

Ray Torres 

Chief Executive Officer, The Key People

Dace West 

Chief Impact Officer, The Denver Foundation

Dr. Kelly Weidenbach

Executive Director, Adams County Health Department