One of the highlights of the Impact Denver program is the nonprofit projects that participants get to work on. Each cohort is divided into groups and paired with local nonprofits that need expert guidance from talented professionals across various fields.
Nikki Brooker, CEO and Founder of YANA, a nonprofit established in 2016 to support mothers and address the ripple effect of maternal mental health issues on children, was seeking connections and expertise to advance YANA’s mission and expand its reach. Through a Facebook group for nonprofit CEOs, Nikki discovered Impact Denver and saw it as the perfect opportunity to address a gap in her organization. After submitting a proposal, Nikki was thrilled to learn that YANA would be paired with an Impact Denver team for the Spring cohort.
The Impact Denver team of eight, which included Dena Schmaedecke, Vice President of Human Resources at Swedish Medical Center and Taryn Watson, Director of Executive Operations at Concept3D, began working with YANA to develop actionable resources over six months. They provided YANA with a comprehensive staffing model, job descriptions and a financial model—tools that were crucial for YANA’s growth. The team’s diverse expertise in HR, nonprofit leadership, marketing, finance and law allowed them to adapt to YANA's evolving needs effectively.
The financial model, in particular, has been a pivotal addition for YANA, helping to propel the organization towards national expansion and enhance their collaboration with healthcare systems. Both Dena and Taryn found their involvement with YANA through Impact Denver highly rewarding, creating sustainable tools that will support YANA’s mission as it continues to grow.
If you’re interested in learning more about YANA, supporting their “Strong Mamas” hospital program, or volunteering at upcoming events, visit their website. Don’t forget to check out their podcast, “Let's Be Real Mama Journeys,” available on all streaming platforms.
If you’re interested in learning how your nonprofit can get connected with Impact Denver, reach out to Jenna Diaz-Gonzalez at Jenna.Diaz-Gonzalez@denverleadership.org.
