Welcome to the CU Denver Change Makers Alumni website
This newly designed space helps you connect across cohorts with other like-minded individuals who have also completed the fellowship program. We hope you’ll visit regularly to stay informed about future events, learn more about your fellow alumni and stay connected with the Change Makers community.
Explore the site
This site offers a range of features aimed at building connection and community. These include:
- Events: Stay informed about upcoming events
- Forum: Engage with other Change Makers alumni through general dialogue or topic-driven exchanges
- Directory: Access information and profiles about your fellow Change Makers alumni
- Volunteer: Volunteer with fellow alumni to strengthen connections and help others continue their Change Makers journey
These features will appear as Tabs at the top of the screen after you’ve registered as a site user. To do this, scroll down to the “How to Get Started” section below.
Stay up to date
You’ll also notice posts on the home page to the right of this welcome section. These will be updated regularly to include alumni profiles, inspirational quotes, links to timely resources and updates on the Change Makers program. We encourage you to check back often to stay in the loop.
Note: This is a private site for CU Denver Change Makers alumni. Access to the directory, forum, and other features is available only to registered alumni users
How to get started
To access and use all the site’s features, you’ll need to first register and log in.
- Register by clicking on the “Login” button in the top right. On the Login page, click “Register” and create a username and password for logging into the site.
- Build your profile: After logging in, you’ll be taken to a user page where you can add a photo and provide a little information about yourself by clicking on the gear button.
- Access your account: Once complete, you’ll see your name and photo appear at the top right
- Return home: To get back to the home page, click on “CU Denver Change Makers Alumni” at the top.
And if you’re looking for information about the Change Makers program itself, visit https://www.ucdenver.edu/change-makers
ALUMNI UPDATES
Stories, resources and news from the Change Makers community
- ‘North of Denver’ event was a success
The “North of Denver’”Change Makers alumni gathering was held June 30 at the Rayback Collective in Boulder with 14 in attendance and representation from every cohort. Alumni who attended came from Boulder, Broomfield, Lafayette, Longmont, Fort Collins, Superior and Wheat Ridge.
When asked “What intrigued you most about coming tonight?”, the most common answer was, “We didn’t have to drive to Denver.” The event sparked lively discussions that lasted well beyond the advertised ending time. Those who attended agreed they wanted to keep in touch and offered suggestions on how to stay connected.
The event was hosted by Change Makers alumni Wendy Wadas, Cohort 4, and Jeanette Marquess, Cohort 2.
- Getting to know Regina Kilkenny
This is an ongoing series of Change Makers alumni profiles — a chance to get to know one another a little better through stories, reflections and glimpses into life after the program. We’re looking for more alumni to feature, so if you’re willing to be profiled in a future post, please reach out to our site editor, Lisa Schlichtman, at lschlichtman@gmail.com.
Brief bio: I spent much of my career at CU’s Anschutz Campus and Denver campus, starting as a state lobbyist for the medical center to serving for 20-plus years as chief of staff for the medical school dean or chancellors of the Denver campus. I’m clearly a CU gal, starting with degrees from CU Boulder (undergraduate) and Denver (master’s and PhD in public administration). What I take the most pride in is my adoption of my daughter internationally as a single woman. That was the greatest risk and biggest reward of my life, and it buoys me in unexpected ways, including being the proud mother-of-the-bride next year.
Q. What are your hobbies and interests?
A. Young children bring incredible joy, fun and a sense of presence to my life, so post-retirement I quickly embarked on watching a sweet 4-year-old grandson of a friend/former colleague several hours a week. It takes me out of my brain and puts me into the perspective of a sweet and smart boy whose curiosity inspires me daily and brings laughter to my world. (Me: “Is Polka a girl or a boy?” Him, confused: “He’s a DOG!”)
Q. What’s something meaningful you’re currently working on or are involved in (professionally or personally)?
A. To supplement my experience as a 30-plus year annual subscriber to the DCPA’s regional theatre plays, I wanted a peek into what it’s like to be part of live performances. I embraced the scariness and excitement by immersing myself in several acting classes. What a great way to create that community feel that I left behind in the workplace: get a group of talented individuals to focus on a common goal and make new friends along the way.
Q. What is something about you that would surprise people?
A. I am the granddaughter of an Irish immigrant who rose to the rank of chief of staff serving U.S. Vice-President Charles Dawes (under President Coolidge) and supported his work on World War I reparations. As Lin-Manuel Miranda put it, “Immigrants, we get the job done!”
Q. What about Change Makers had a lasting effect on you?
A. I love meeting and engaging with Change Makers alumni — they are curious, courageous and connected with others outside their community. The course helped me create a fluid-enough path with guiding principles and values that ring true for me today. I am forever grateful for participating in a class that prepared me beautifully for this rewarding chapter of my life.
- ‘North of Denver’ alumni event planned for June 30
Change Makers brings together a diverse community of professionals, and with alumni now from seven cohorts, there’s a sizeable group who resides north of Denver. With those alumni in mind, a special event is planned in Boulder on Tuesday, June 30. Alumni are invited to gather from 6:30 to 8 p.m. at Rayback Collective, 2775 Valmont Rd. in Boulder. This will be an opportunity to expand your network, share insights and discover shared interests. For more information, contact Wendy Wadas at wadaswendy@gmail.com.