Denver is known for its innovative and collaborative workforce, a trait that is cultivated daily as community leaders work together to develop solutions to our region’s biggest challenges. The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation equips leaders with the tools and connections they need to keep that innovative and collaborative spirit alive and make an impact in our region. The Leadership Foundation will highlight the game-changing contributions that five of its alumni have made to our community at its annual Fall Forum on Nov. 12.
Today we’re bringing you an advanced preview of these game-changers and their work in the community and around the world.
John-Paul Maxfield, founder & CEO of Waste Farmers
Growing Food, Eating Well & Living Full
“I don’t want to change the game as much as I want to empower folks to discover their own innate abilities to change the game, however that is defined.”
John-Paul Maxfield is the founder and CEO of Waste Farmers and an alumnus of Impact Denver 2006. He is responsible for the overall strategy, management and growth of the company. Waste Farmers started in 2009 with $9,000 and “a belief that idealism and capitalism can coexist.” Today, the company has evolved into a respected innovator recognized globally for developing simple solutions to the complex problems of modern agriculture and food security.
Karla Raines, Principal of Corona Insights
Ginger White, Deputy Director, Denver Arts & Venues
Imagining 2020: Leadership Lessons from Denver’s First Cultural Plan in 25 Years
“Leadership isn’t something you do. Leadership is who you are and how you show up.” – Karla Raines
Karla Raines, an alumna of Leadership Denver 2008, and Ginger White, a past Leadership Exchange delegate, were part of the team who led a 5,000-person collaborative effort to create Imagine 2020, Denver’s first cultural plan since 1989, which was released by Mayor Michael Hancock in March. Reaching out to thousands of Denver residents, the team set out to create a world-class cultural plan that reflects the metro area’s unique personality through a community-based, inclusive research process and public-private partnerships.
Andrew Freedman, Director of Marijuana Coordination for the State of Colorado
Pioneer Colorado: Why Our State Can’t Stop Taking Risks—and Why We Keep Succeeding
“Colorado has the extraordinary ability to not just choose innovative, game changing policies, but to bring everybody to the table to implement them.”
In 2014, Andrew, an alumnus Leadership Denver 2012, was appointed by Gov. John Hickenlooper as Colorado’s first-ever director of marijuana coordination. As director, his mission is to ensure fair regulation of Colorado’s retail and medical marijuana industry, while protecting public health and safety, preventing youth access and providing proper substance abuse treatment. He also played an instrumental role in the creation of the Office of Early Childhood and the awarding of the $5 million Race to the Top grant, collaborated with Mile High United Way to create the Colorado Reading Corps and helmed the campaign Colorado Commits to Kids.
Douglas Jackson, President and CEO of Project C.U.R.E.
Lessons Learned While Building a Global Nonprofit
“People work for passion and purpose.”
Douglas Jackson, Ph.D., serves as president and CEO of Project C.U.R.E., and was a part of the Leadership Foundation’s Legacy Denver program. Each week, Project C.U.R.E. delivers approximately three semi-truck loads of donated medical supplies and equipment to people in need around the world. Since 1987, Project C.U.R.E. has delivered equipment and supplies to hospitals and clinics in more than 130 countries. Project C.U.R.E. also sends teams of medical professionals to assist partner hospitals and clinics and sends Kits for Kids, a backpack filled with children’s basic medical items for those with no health access in developing countries. All of this is done with the 17,000 individuals who volunteer with Project C.U.R.E. each year.
Want to hear more? Click here to register for the Fall Forum.
Danielle Mellema is a communications and marketing specialist for the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.
[Photo by: Artotem]