Introducing Myself: Community, Service, and Why Rotary Matters to Me
I’ve been a part of Rotary for just 2½ years, and I thought I’d use this opportunity to introduce myself more fully to those who may not know me or my background.
After college, I started my career in finance—first with Chase Manhattan Bank in New York City, then with Fidelity Investments in Hong Kong. In 2001, I moved to Colorado and focused on raising my three children, now all grown.
About 12 years ago, I began thinking about my next chapter. Though I could have returned to the corporate world, I realized my passion was in the nonprofit sector. I earned a Master’s in Public Administration from CU Denver in 2016 with a focus on nonprofit management.
That same year, I founded the Left Hand Giving Circle (LHGC). Many of my friends, like me, had stepped away from careers to raise families and were seeking renewed purpose and community. LHGC brings together women to pool our time and financial resources for greater impact. We now have about 40 members—including fellow Rotarians Janet, Maria, and Julia—and have donated nearly $150,000 to local nonprofits in the St. Vrain Valley. We’ve also logged nearly 2,000 volunteer hours. Along the way, we’ve built real friendships through happy hours, book clubs, and shared service—very much in the spirit of Rotary.
In the past 11 years, I’ve served on nonprofit boards including Intercambio and Longmont Community Foundation. I’m currently a partner at Social Venture Partners and serve on BRITE Collaborative’s GovCo with John Caldwell and Tim Waters.
Though my life felt full, I was drawn to the mission of Recovery Café Longmont—helping people build community and stability. I’ve now served over three years as Director of Philanthropy. What makes it meaningful isn’t just the fundraising—it’s the relationships we build and the shared vision we hold with our supporters. We’ve grown our revenue significantly by focusing on connection, not transactions.
When Roger and I began discussing serving as co-presidents, I hesitated at first—I’m relatively new to Rotary. But Rotary’s core—community and service—reflects everything I’ve dedicated my personal and professional life to. Roger and I share similar values and leadership styles, and I’m confident in the strength of our partnership.
I’m inspired by the long-standing commitment of our members—some celebrating 30, 40, even 50 years in Rotary. At the same time, I recognize the challenge of staying relevant and growing the club. I don’t believe the key lies in sponsorships or marketing alone. Sustainable growth happens when we offer what people truly seek: meaningful connection, engaging programming, and the chance to make a difference.
From founding LHGC to leading philanthropy at the Café, I’ve learned that people give their time and resources not for recognition—but because they believe in the mission and feel part of something larger. Rotary already has that heart. We don’t need to reinvent the club—we simply need to grow from our roots.
I’m excited to bring my experience in service, community building, and relationship-driven leadership to help strengthen our Rotary Club for the future.