11 Womens Luncheon Program-revised.indd - Mile High United Way

Mile High United Way’s 13th Annual
Women’s Leadership Luncheon
September 28, 2011

Thank you for attending
Mile High United Way’s 13th Annual
Women’s Leadership Luncheon
Agenda
September 28, 2011
11:30 a.m. Ballroom Doors Open
12:00 p.m. Program Begins
Welcome
Deb Smith, Women’s Leadership Council Co-Chair,
Deloitte Services LP
Pam Jeffords, Women’s Leadership Council Co-Chair,
Via Management Consulting
Presentation of the Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award
Christine Benero, President and CEO, Mile High United Way
Presented to Neyeska Mut, De Jour Energy Inc.
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1:30 p.m. Adjourn
Introduction of Denver Mayor Michael Hancock
Christine Benero, President and CEO, Mile High United Way
Introduction of Keynote Speaker
Michael Hancock, Mayor, City of Denver
Keynote Speaker
Wes Moore, Author of The Other Wes Moore
Closing
Christine Benero, President and CEO, Mile High United Way
www.UnitedWayDenver.org

Dear Friends:
Thank you for joining us:
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Over a century ago, an extraordinary woman stepped forward to
articulate a vision of a community that is united to create better
opportunities for all. Today, we celebrate the vision of Frances
Wisebart Jacobs at our 13th Annual Mile High United Way’s
Women’s Leadership Luncheon; we are honored you have joined
us.
Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council, led by the
phenomenal duo of Deb Smith and Pam Jeffords, continues to
lead the way uniting people, ideas and resources to advance
the common good. The women of Mile High United Way are
community builders, leaders, unifiers and champions. They are
connectors and resource brokers. They are mothers, daughters
and sisters. They are volunteers and business leaders. They are
the heart of this community. We invite you to join them.
Today we are proud to celebrate an extraordinary woman who
excels in all these roles. Neyeska Mut inspires us on a daily basis,
and is the epitome of all that Frances Wisebart Jacobs believed in
and aspired for women and for our community.
Author Wes Moore paints a brilliant picture of what it means for
a community to come together and of the role women play every
day in shaping the destinies of all of us. We are honored to have
Wes and his mother here in Denver.
We are also so pleased to welcome Denver’s new mayor, Michael
Hancock, and First Lady, Mary Louise Lee, whose own stories
inspire us and remind us that indeed We Are All Denver.
124 years since our founding as the first United Way in the
country, we are able to do our work and serve as a catalyst for
social change because of all of you. We are grateful for your
support and for the vision you hold.
Christine Benero
What an amazing year to be a part
of Mile High United Way’s Women’s
Leadership Council. Today, we are
thrilled to have Wes Moore take us
through his amazing story and reflect
on the factors and choices that define
our paths. Through the efforts of
Mile High United Way, we help people
in our community reach their fullest
potential.
This year, the council and its 1,900
members, delivered school supplies
and backpacks to children in need.
We conducted training sessions and
mentoring opportunities for adults
in transitional housing. We provided
a traditional holiday meal to all the
Pam Jeffords and Deb Smith, Co-Chairs of
Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council
residents of Brunetti Lofts, hosted more than 100 families at a holiday celebration including
a personal visit with Santa, gifts and books for every child, arts, crafts, storytelling and
much more!
These efforts were possible because of the dedication to Mile High United Way’s Women’s
Leadership Council’s vision and mission. Our vision and mission are strong and clear:
Our Vision
We are dedicated to inspiring, educating and encouraging women to become
agents of change in our community through philanthropy and leadership.
Our Mission
Women leading philanthropic giving in ways that provide an opportunity for
everyone in metro Denver to lead a life of human dignity and self-reliance.
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Warmest regards,
Peter Beaupré
We thank all of you for being here today and taking part in this year’s luncheon
to continue the vision of inspiration and education. LIVE UNITED!
Christine Benero
President and CEO
Mile High United Way
Peter Beaupré
President and COO
PCL Construction Enterprises
Chair of the Board of Trustees
Mile High United Way
Deb Smith
Co-Chair
Partner
Deloitte Services LP
Pam Jeffords
Co-Chair
Partner
Via Management Consulting
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
www.UnitedWayDenver.org

The 2011 Women’s Leadership Luncheon - Keynote Speaker
Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council
Wes Moore
Best-Selling Author of The Other Wes Moore
Join the Power of Women
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The Other Wes Moore, tells the true story of two
boys named Wes Moore. Born blocks apart in similar
neighborhoods, both had difficult childhoods; hung
out on street corners with their crews; and ran into
trouble with the police. How did one grow up to be a
Rhodes Scholar, decorated war veteran, White House
Fellow and business leader, while the other ended up
a convicted murderer serving a life sentence?
Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council
is proud to welcome Wes Moore as he shares his story
of how each of us can impact, inspire and support
young people on their path to success.
We are sisters, daughters, wives and
mothers. We are homemakers and
presidents, doctors and lawyers,
engineers and teachers. We manage
businesses while we drive the carpool
to our children’s school. The power to
change our community is in our hands. Join us and build on the power of women.
We have a vision for our community that all children are prepared to learn when they
begin school, that all youth graduate from high school and are prepared for success,
that adults have the means to live a self-sufficient life and provide for their families.
We are Mile High United Way’s Women’s Leadership Council.
By giving at least $1,000 a year to Mile High United Way, you will become part of the
collective generosity of this powerful and compassionate group of committed
women who create better futures for more people than you can imagine.
For more information on the Women’s Leadership Council please contact
Lisa Nierenberg at 303-561-2355 or Lisa.Nierenberg@UnitedWayDenver.org.
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Women’s Leadership Advisory Council
Co-Chair: Deb Smith
Deloitte Services LP
Co-Chair: Pamela Jeffords
Via Management
Consulting
Kathy Ambrose
Community Volunteer
Jeanette Alberg
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Company
Melissa Brownstein
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner &
Hottman
Vicki Bogenberger
CH2M HILL
Linda A. Brisnehan
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Company
(Retired)
Linda Brown
IBM
Michelle Campbell M.D.
Campbell & Associates,
LLC
Kristie Chamberlain
Colomer Beauty Brands
Renelle Everett Darr
InSight Coaching &
Consulting
Darla Figoli
Xcel Energy
Leslie Hilton
Success Partner, LLC
Mindy Gates
Office of the State Auditor
Laura Gill
Davis, Graham & Stubbs
Shelly Harper
Kroenke Sports
Polly Lestikow
Closet Factory
Ann Mahoney
TW Telecom
Carol Miller
Telcordia Technologies,
Inc.
Melinda Ravsten
Retirement Planning
Resources
Kristen Russell
Fall River Consulting
Group
Katrina Salem
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
Carla S. Stewart
CenturyLink
Kelly Rodriguez
Grant Thornton LLP
Teresa Van De Bogart
Molson Coors
Brewing Company
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
www.UnitedWayDenver.org

Mile High United Way’s
Women’s Leadership Council Honors
Neyeska Mut
2011 Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award Winner
More than 120 years ago, a woman transformed the then-pioneer city of Denver, bringing the
community together and sparking a humanitarian revolution that would become the modern
United Way movement. Her name was Frances Wisebart Jacobs and she is heralded as the
“Mother of Charity.”
This year, the award in her honor goes to a woman with a keen interest and tireless
involvement in improving early childhood education in Colorado and across the nation,
Neyeska Mut.
Frances Wisebart Jacobs
Frances Wisebart Jacobs is known as Colorado’s “Mother
of Charity.” Her commitment to the Denver community
astounded many in her day. Her realization that much
more could be done if there were an organized effort
was part of the genesis of United Way more than 120
years ago. The Frances Wisebart Jacobs Award is given
annually to the woman who has a significant impact on
the community and on women’s philanthropy through
Mile High United Way.
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Neyeska, a compassionate and dedicated woman of philanthropy, is also committed to
women’s causes, health and the environment. Through her selfless work in our community
she is truly advancing the common good and helping to create opportunities for a better
life for all.
Congratulations
Neyeska
Our 2011 Recipient
Past Recipients
2003 Barbara Mellman Davis
2004 Caz Mathews
2005 Debbie Welle-Powell
2006 Kate Paul
2008 Susan Kiely
2009 Barbara Grogan
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Neyeska Mut is a successful businesswoman
and an inspirational philanthropist. Born in
Caracas, Venezuela, she now calls Denver
home. Neyeska has an innate ability to take
on
a challenge, either in business or in her
community, and turn it into an opportunity.
Her leadership er and global insights, coupled
with her passion for community, have
translated ated
into real success in improving
early childhood o education facilities and
curricula c
as well las sincreasing access to
quality programs for low-income families
and dtheir children.
2010 Carrie Morgridge
This lovely necklace, which will be
presented to Neyeska Mut, was created by
Jill Farquhar, Designer/Owner, of J. Skaar
Collections. This design includes the
“Compass Star” pointing toward North
demonstrating that the wearer serves as a
literal “Moral Compass to Society.”
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
www.UnitedWayDenver.org

SM
Platinum Sponsors
The 2011 Women’s Leadership Luncheon
is generously sponsored by the following organizations:
Gold Sponsors
Silver Sponsors
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AlloSource
Anthem Blue Cross and
Blue Shield
Ball Aerospace &
Technologies
Corporation
Brown Brothers
Harriman & Co.
Caz Matthews
CenturyLink
CH2M HILL
CoBank ACB
Colomer Beauty Brands
Colorado State Bank
and Trust
Daniels College Of
Business, University
of Denver
Dejour Energy
(USA) Corp.
Delta Dental Plan
of Colorado
Ehrhardt Keefe Steiner &
Hottman PC
Ernst & Young LLP
FirstBank
Grant Thornton LLP
Hitachi Consulting
Ireland Stapleton Pryor &
Pascoe, PC
Kaiser Permanente
Kathy Ambrose
KPMG LLP
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Company
Lockton Companies LLC
North Highland
PricewaterhouseCoopers
LLP
QEP Resources
Quest Diagnostics, Inc.
RBC Daniels
Suncor Energy
Telcordia Technologies, Inc.
United Launch Alliance
UPS
URS Corporation
US Bank
Wells Fargo
Williams Production
The Women’s Foundation
www.UnitedWayDenver.org

Mile High United Way lives at the intersection of the
private, public, philanthropic, and nonprofit sectors.
WE:
• Are community builders, leaders, unifiers and champions
• Are connectors and information and resource brokers
• Inspire philanthropic investments
• Serve those who need support in creating better opportunities
for themselves and their families
• Celebrate those who make a commitment to
give, advocate and volunteer
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OUR MISSION
Uniting people, ideas and
resources to advance the
common good.
OUR VISION
A community united to create
better opportunities for all.
OUR STRATEGIC PLAN
Mile High United Way will leverage relationships and invest
resources to drive social change. We will lead the community in
achieving measurable results in the areas of
School Readiness, Youth Success and Adult Self-Sufficiency.
See what you can do.
www.UnitedWayDenver.org
Photo Credit: Amy Loomis

30% of Colorado’s 3rd Graders can’t read at grade level.
Children who start behind stay behind.
Eighty-five percent of a child’s brain is developed by age five.
Children in poverty hear as many as 30 million fewer words than
their wealthier peers before they reach kindergarten.
School Readiness Initiative
Mile High United Way’s School Readiness Initiative
provides thousands of children from low-income families access to
high-quality early education so they enter school ready to learn and
read at grade level by the end of the third grade.
Colorado’s graduation rate is 78%.
50% of students in Denver don’t graduate.
Dropouts cost taxpayers more than $8 billion annually
and they earn $10,000 less a year than workers with diplomas.
Youth Success Initiative
Mile High United Way’s Youth Success Initiative provides thousands of students
access to mentoring, quality afterschool programs, tutoring and dropout
prevention, gang and violence intervention programs. Students who
participate in mentoring programs are 90% more likely to advance to
the next grade and 75% more likely to graduate from high school.
Photo Credit: Amy Loomis
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SPECIAL NEEDS FOR SUCCESS
3-year-old William is a bright child with sensory
issues. Certain sights, sounds - even smells can
send him into a rage. Traditional pre-schools and
daycares weren’t equipped to provide him with
the support he needed. He wasn’t learning. He
wasn’t progressing. Then William’s parents found
help through Mile High United Way’s partner
agency Children’s Outreach Project a nonprofit
therapeutic preschool and child care center that
offers integrated, quality, early childhood education
to typical accelerated and developmentally delayed
children. Now, William is thriving and on the
road to success in the classroom and in life.
We LIVE UNITED when children like
William have the support they need to
learn and grow.
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.
HAPPY TRAILS TO PROMISING LIVES
Juan and Sazian both struggled as teenagers. Juan
became a teen father. Sazian dropped out of school.
They were both going nowhere fast until, with the
help of Mile High United Way’s partner agency
Mile High Youth Corps, an organization that helps
youth make a difference in themselves and their
community through meaningful community service
opportunities and educational experiences, they
got a second chance and are working, learning
and planning for college. We LIVE UNITED when
young men and women graduate from high school
prepared for career training, higher education
and life.
www.UnitedWayDenver.org
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Photo Credit: Amy Loomis

60% of Colorado’s homeless are women and their children.
Colorado has the fastest growing rate of child poverty in the U.S.
More that 48,000 working families live in poverty
and don’t make enough to meet basic needs: child care, clothing, health care,
housing and transportation without assistance.
Adult Self-Sufficiency Initiative
Mile High United Way’s Adult Self-Sufficiency Initiative devotes resources
to programs that help low-income people increase financial skills, develop
workforce experience and move toward economic self-sufficiency.
BUILDING A SELF-SUFFICIENT LIFE
Wayne’s construction business was floundering.
He didn’t know what to do. Then he heard about
Mile High United Way’s Individual Development
Accounts, a program that provides matching savings
accounts and financial and business education.
Wayne got back on track and turned his business
around. We LIVE UNITED when individuals and
families have the resources and support they need to
become self-sufficient.
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www.UnitedWayDenver.org
Photo Credit: Amy Loomis

Mile High United Way
Calendar of Events
Emerging Leaders
Wine Event
October 20, 2011
Denver Newspaper Agency
Mile High United Way’s
38th Annual
Turkey Trot
Thanksgiving Morning
November 24, 2011
Washington Park
Registration begins soon!
Denver’s
Road Home’s
PJ Day and Party
February 9, 2012
Please visit
www.UnitedWayDenver.org/events
for more information on our events.

Mile High United Way’s 2011-2012 Board of Trustees
Chair: Peter Beaupré
PCL Construction
Enterprises
Barry Amman
KPMG LLP
David Hammond
Davis, Graham & Stubbs
Tensie Homan
Community Bank Partners,
Inc.
Christine Riordan, Ph.D.
University of Denver
Todd Roebken
Jones Lang LaSalle
Americas, Inc
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Dave Baker
FirstBank
Marc Beasley
Lockton Companies
David Berezin
Grant Thornton LLP
Scott Binder
FCC Services
Linda Brisnehan
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems Company (Retired)
Brad Busse
RBC Daniels
Luella Chavez D’Angelo
Western Union Foundation
Nathan Christian
Wells Fargo Bank
Sean Daly
Ernst & Young LLP
Steve Davis
CenturyLink
Paul Franke
Franke, Greenhouse, List
and Lippitt LLP
David Goldberg
Greenberg Traurig
Kevin Hougen
Aurora Chamber of
Commerce
Bryan Hutchinson
International Association
of
Machinists & Aerospace
Workers
Glenn Jacks
MLC Development
Brian Jackson
Linden Lane Partners
David Licko
Denver Newspaper Agency
Darren Markley
US Bank
Dale Mingilton
Better Business Bureau
Todd Munson
JP Morgan Chase and
Company
Roy Palmer
Xcel Energy
Kate Paul
Delta Dental Plan of
Colorado
Gloria Rubio-Cortes
National Civic League
Kristy Schloss
Schloss Engineered
Equipment
Lawrence Scicluna
Ball Corporation (Retired)
Deb Smith
Deloitte Services LP
Elizabeth Soberg
United HealthCare of
Colorado
Henry Solano
Dewey & LeBoeuf LLP
Greg Symons
Colorado State Bank and
Trust
Debbie Welle-Powell
Exempla Healthcare
Julie Wolf, Ph.D.
RHR International
Charlie Wright
Kroenke Sports
Enterprises
Give. Advocate. Volunteer.