ALUMNI UPDATES

Stories, resources and news from the Change Makers community

  • Getting to know Lisa Talucci

    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.

    Q. What are your hobbies and interests?

    A. Gardening, art making, bike riding, photography, traveling.

    Q. What’s something meaningful you’re currently working on or are involved in (professionally or personally)?

    A. My work is meaningful to m,e and I have been taking illustration classes that are helping me to slow down and look at things more closely.

    Q. What is something about you that would surprise people?

    A.  I like to roam hardware stores as a sensory experience. And, I won’t leave empty-handed. 

    Q. What about Change Makers had a lasting effect on you?

    A. Change Makers helped me do some perspective-taking about the future. I am letting everything be an experiment from now on. 

  • Change Makers alum is front-page news

    Denver’s historic neon signs are in danger. And these are the people trying to save them.
    Todd Matuszewicz is leading the charge with the help of a small but dedicated group of neon enthusiasts

    An excerpt from the story by Noelle Phillips of The Denver Post

    “Meanwhile, Matuszewicz had enrolled in CU Denver’s Change Makers program, in which participants explore new career options later in life. At first, he said he tossed out the idea of becoming a world-renowned busker of murder ballads. His classmates scoffed.

    Then, once again, his background in neon shone. Everyone loved the idea of a historic preservationist who specialized in neon.

    “The stars aligned,” he said.

    Now that Matuszewicz has his master’s degree in historic preservation from CU Denver, his crusade is getting more attention. He’s become an in-demand speaker at historic preservation conferences around the United States.”

    Read the full article here.

  • We need you!

    We need you to help sustain and grow the Change Makers Alumni Group. There are many ways you can get involved, and you can access a full list of volunteer opportunities by clicking on “Volunteer” in the navigation bar on the top of this page. 

    Maybe you’d like to lead an interest group dedicated to hiking or skiing or the arts. There are also opportunities to serve on various working committees focused on social activities, education or communications. As we enter 2026, we’re planning new ways to connect and grow, but we definitely need your help to thrive. Get involved now, by filling out the volunteer form, which can be found on the “Volunteer” page

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