Boettcher Foundation

Please join us in welcoming the newest member of the 2026 Class of Boettcher Investigators! Elizabeth Wynn, PhD, of National Jewish Health has been selected to receive a $250,000 grant through the Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program to support up to three years of independent research. Elizabeth's work will explore how respiratory viruses, including SARS-CoV-2, shape the immune system in our airways over time and how those changes influence allergic asthma. She joins seven previously announced Boettcher Investigators, representing the next generation of scientific excellence in Colorado. Congratulations, Elizabeth! We are excited to see the impact of your research. 2026 Class of Boettcher Investigators (Shown L-R): Casey M. Gries, PhD; R. Adam Harris, DVM, PhD, Diplomate ACVP; Elizabeth Wynn, PhD; Alessandra Brambati, PhD; John Janetzko, PhD; Katherine Kissler, CNM, PhD; Kentaro Yomogida, MD; Matthew Olm, PhD

In our latest episode of Colorado Leadership Stories, 2026 9News Colorado Leader of the Year Angie Paccione shares how place and opportunity have influenced her perspective as an educator, legislator, and higher education leader. From the South Bronx to Stanford University to Colorado, Angie reflects on the experiences and mentors that helped activate her potential and why creating opportunities for others remains at the heart of her work. Listen to and watch the full episode here: https://loom.ly/IYguCcI

Aurora’s Regional Navigation Campus was designed around a simple but powerful idea: when housing, healthcare, employment support, financial coaching, and community services are connected in one place, people are better positioned to build lasting stability. For James Ranno, that approach made all the difference. After experiencing homelessness following a series of setbacks, James arrived at the newly opened campus looking for support. Today, he works at the facility, helping others navigate challenges similar to those he once faced. Operated by Advance Pathways and supported by a broad coalition of community partners, the campus has already provided long-term stability services to thousands of individuals while advancing a shared vision of reducing homelessness through coordinated, community-driven solutions. Read more about the people, partnerships, and purpose behind this innovative model: https://loom.ly/JJrH5YE #CommunityConnections #ColoradoCommunities #SpiritofBoettcher #PowerOfPlace

Leadership often begins with investing in one person at a time. For 1969 Boettcher Scholar Pam Erwin, that investment started in the classroom. Over a 40-year career as a math educator, Pam helped students build confidence, overcome challenges, and discover new possibilities. That same commitment to helping others thrive later led her and her late husband, Dave, to support church planting, education, and community development initiatives in Benin, West Africa. In our latest Q&A, Pam reflects on the people, places, and experiences that shaped her journey—from Parker to Benin—and the lessons she has learned about service, faith, and leadership along the way. Read her story here: https://loom.ly/QJF_wLU #BoettcherScholars #SpiritofBoettcher #PowerOfPlace

From the Eastern Plains to the Western Slope and the San Luis Valley, four Boettcher Fellows share how the communities they call home have shaped their values, perspectives, and leadership. Whether working to expand housing opportunities in Kit Carson, advocate for equitable access in Telluride, strengthen small-town economies in Rifle, or connect people to Colorado’s public lands in Alamosa, each Fellow is helping create a stronger Colorado by investing in the places they love. Read their reflections and discover how the Power of Place influences leadership across our state: https://loom.ly/SWemEe8 #BoettcherFellows #SpiritofBoettcher #ColoradoLeaders #PowerOfPlace

In our newest Colorado Leadership Stories episode, Boettcher Foundation Board Chair Michelle Lucero and President & CEO Katie Stanich Kramer sit down with Melvin Baker, who served as Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe for nearly 15 years. In his final public interview before stepping down for health reasons, former Chairman Baker reflects on tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, economic development, and the values that guide leadership in the Southern Ute community. Listen to the full episode here: https://loom.ly/KtIoMDI #ColoradoLeadershipStories #ColoradoLeaders #PowerOfPlace

We’re excited to share the Boettcher Foundation 2025 Annual Report! Over the past year, we explored the Ripple Effect and how intentional actions can create meaningful change far beyond their starting point. Across Colorado, we convened, collaborated, and engaged with leaders working to strengthen communities and expand opportunity. In 2025, we published the second edition of our college and scholarship guide, gathered hundreds of Scholars and Alums, supported biomedical research, and invested in community-led solutions across rural and urban counties alike. We also launched the State of Leadership initiative to better understand and strengthen leadership across Colorado. Read our full Annual Report and explore the impact we’re building together at https://loom.ly/z6TNdyM.

In today’s episode of Colorado Leadership Stories, Colorado Education Commissioner Susana Córdova shares how her experiences as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and statewide leader continue to influence her work supporting education, students, and families. A Denver native and DPS graduate, Susana’s deep Colorado roots continue to guide her dedication to public education across the state. Listen to Susana’s story wherever you get podcasts, or at the link in our bio! #ColoradoLeadershipStories #PowerofPlace

We’re thrilled to announce the 2026 class of Boettcher Investigators! These eight outstanding early-career scientists represent the next generation of scientific excellence in Colorado, marking another milestone in our commitment to strengthening the state’s biomedical research ecosystem. The Webb-Waring Biomedical Research Awards Program provides crucial support early in these researchers’ careers, helping them secure future funding.   Introducing the 2026 Class of Boettcher Investigators (Shown L-R): Casey M. Gries, PhD – Colorado State University R. Adam Harris, DVM, PhD – Colorado State University Chen-Shan (Julia) Woodcock, PhD – National Jewish Health Alessandra Brambati, PhD – University of Colorado Anschutz John Janetzko, PhD – University of Colorado Anschutz Katherine Kissler, CNM, PhD – University of Colorado Anschutz Kentaro Yomogida, MD – University of Colorado Anschutz Matthew Olm, PhD – University of Colorado Boulder Read more about this class here: https://loom.ly/cl00Pv8

As we work together to expand the impact of our scholarship program, you can make a gift in honor of our newest class of Scholars! 2016 Scholar Jesús Bañuelos Rivera has given to the Boettcher Scholars Fund, emphasizing that he's excited to, "pay it forward" and help future Coloradans grow. Even a small amount adds up over time and provides steady support for future Scholars. Make a one time gift or give monthly in honor of our newest class of Scholars: https://lnkd.in/gGHpkGy4