Our People – Nathan Yip Foundation

Our Team

JIMMY AND LINDA YIP

Founders

Jimmy and Linda Yip have dedicated their lives to serving their community and growing the Nathan Yip Foundation since its founding in 2002.

Linda was born and raised in Taiwan and graduated from the Cultural College of Taiwan with a degree in political science. Jimmy was born in Hong Kong and came to the US in 1970 with two friends to pursue a college education in Iowa.

Jimmy owned and operated a restaurant in New York City before he and Linda, separately, moved to Denver in 1979 to pursue new restaurant ventures. Jimmy and Linda met, became friends, and later married in 1981. With food in common, Linda and Jimmy opened and sold their first Chinese restaurant, then opened two more simultaneously. In 1983, they welcomed a son, Nathan, to their family.

Following the sale of two of their restaurants, Linda and Jimmy partnered with Fred Miale and Al Alba in establishing the first Keller Williams Franchise in Denver, later acquiring the whole of Colorado’s Keller Williams region from Tom Coldwell. In 1991, the group bought their first building in Denver, The Alamo, at 17th & Market Street. They also owned the Mister Steak franchise and joined the Carlson family in building Country Inn & Suites.

Their growing businesses facilitated the merging of several service companies into one company, Peliton, a business process outsourcing company designed to help small business owners improve their efficiency and profitability.

In December 2001, Linda and Jimmy lost their only child, Nathan, in an automobile accident. Drawing on the support of family and friends, they founded the Nathan Yip Foundation in 2002, as a means to transform their personal tragedy into public good.

In 2007, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival honored the Yips as its Honorary Patrons, and in 2011, Asian Avenue Magazine recognized Linda and Jimmy as “Asian-American Heroes”. The same year, Forbes Asia named the couple “Heroes of Philanthropy.”

Kevin 董益宏 and Stephanie 贺嘉怡 Tung

Co-Founders

Kevin and Stephanie Tung were both born in Shanghai, China. Kevin began his teaching career in Shanghai in 1979. In 1985, Kevin moved to Hawaii, where he worked for Hilton Honolulu. He and Stephanie married in Shanghai in 1986 and moved to Denver in 1991, where they established and operated three Golden Plate Chinese restaurants.

Kevin and Stephanie have been involved with the Nathan Yip Foundation since it was established in 2002. They have also volunteered with UNESCO and UNICEF.

Kevin and Stephanie spend much of their time in Shanghai, where they raise funds for Nathan Yip Foundation projects in China, facilitate NYF’s teacher training program for over 200 teachers and plan and host the biennial Nathan Yip Foundation Shanghai Gala.

JEANNE MCDONALD

Events & Administrative Assistant

Jeanne brings many years of experience in event coordination and community engagement to the Events and Administrative Assistant position. Jeanne served as the Associate Director in the Office for Public and Community-Engaged Scholarship at the University of Colorado Boulder from 2006-2025 where she managed a campus grants program and coordinated community events.

She also had the privilege of working in several different areas across the CU Boulder campus, including managing the box office in the Office of Concerts & Public Relations, coordinating programs and events for the Office of Community Relations and Division of Student Affairs, and working as an Assistant to the Chancellor. She coordinated the three annual campus commencement ceremonies from 1999-2006.

She was selected as one of the Chancellor’s Employees of the Year in 2024. She retired from the university in 2025 after 31 years of service. Jeanne received her bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a master’s degree from the University of Colorado Boulder.

Board of Directors

Rajesh Babu - President

Rajesh Babu is passionate about equal educational opportunities for our youth and is excited for the opportunity to serve on the board of the Nathan Yip Foundation. Originally from the Chicagoland area, Raj moved to Denver to work in M&A and strategy for the WhiteWave Foods Corporation (until its acquisition by Danone), and later joined Birch Benders, a pancake and waffle company here in Denver, where he is currently its President and Chief Operating Officer.

Prior to coming to Colorado, Raj worked for the Boston Consulting Group in San Francisco, Bain & Company in Chicago and Morgan Stanley in New York. He is a graduate of Northwestern University and later, the Kellogg School of Management.

In his spare time, he and his wife (Laura) along with their two-year-old daughter love to travel (his daughter had 27 flights to her name before she turned 1) and spend time in the Colorado sunshine. He also plays in football (despite being too old for it), softball and tennis leagues.

Jason Windmoeller - Vice President

Jason Windmoeller is Managing Director in KPMG’s deal advisory and strategy practice. His experience includes advising corporate leaders and providing guidance on complex business operations and strategies. Jason leverages his extensive industry knowledge and expertise to guide clients through complex transactions and create value. Notably, Jason was a recipient of KPMG’s award of distinction, the firms highest individual honor recognizing sustained high performance and tremendous dedication to clients, communities, and colleagues. Prior to joining KPMG, Jason held key roles at Deloitte Consulting and Seagate Technology leading M&A transactions.

Jason has a strong focus on the non-profit sector and also serves on the advisory board of DREAMon3, an organization dedicated to creating experiences of joy, hope, and encouragement for children and young adults with life-altering conditions through the world of sports. Previously Jason served as a Director on the board of Team Up Philly, an organization dedicated to empowering underprivileged girls in underserved neighborhoods in Philadelphia. He received a Bachelor’s degree from Villanova University and holds an MBA from the University of Denver where he was a Daniels scholar.

Jason resides in Denver and enjoys spending time with his family, which includes his wife, three children, and two beloved golden retrievers. He remains actively engaged in the community, seeking opportunities to make a meaningful impact and champion social change.

Debby Buescher - Treasurer

Debby has a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Duke University and a Master’s in Education from Colorado State. But then she found the right fit (accounting), worked as a CPA, and then spent 30 years managing a family office here in Denver.

Debby and her husband Tom met at Duke and have lived in Denver since graduating from college. They have two sons, Eric and Ryan. Eric, his wife and two daughters live in the Philadelphia area and Ryan, his wife and daughter live in Denver. Now retired, Debby spends her time with friends and family, reading, playing bridge, and traveling.

Alan H. Frosh - Past President

Alan H. Frosh, J.D., M.B.A. is the Co-Founder and Managing Director of SECTOR. As a sixth-generation Denverite, Alan has spent his entire career serving his community, as a philanthropic advisor, civic investor, small business executive, and active volunteer.

In early 2024, Alan co-founded SECTOR, a subscription legal service for public charities, private foundations and impact organizations, offering a flat-rate, fractional General Counsel model with seasoned nonprofit attorneys. Before co-founding SECTOR, Alan founded Frosh Philanthropy Partners, a multi-service advisory firm focused on creating philanthropic legacy and maximizing impact for families and small businesses, and served as the Denver Market Director for Notley Ventures, a family office catalyzing social innovation through the marriage of impact and profit. Previously, Alan led the acquisition of Tattered Cover Book Store, Denver’s iconic independent bookstore and one of the city’s most prominent small businesses, and served as Program Associate and Senior Fellow at El Pomar Foundation, where he directed several programs and managed the foundation’s grantmaking in Colorado’s High Country Region.

Alan is a proud three-time alumnus of the University of Denver, maintaining connection to his hometown. While earning a Bachelor’s Degree and as a member of the Pioneer Leadership Program, Alan continued his service to the city’s nonprofit sector, working in fundraising at Young Americans Center for Financial Education, one of the country’s most innovative and unique nonprofit organizations. Alan graduated from the University’s Sturm College of Law, with an emphasis on corporate and commercial law, and later returned to the University to join the Daniels College of Business’ inaugural MBA@Denver cohort, graduating with a concentration in Finance.

Alan commits his time, talent and treasure to his community beyond his professional work, serving on many nonprofit boards and advocating for causes close to his heart. Most recently, Alan served on the Finance Committee for Denver Mayor Mike Johnston’s campaign and on the Mayor’s transition team. In 2018, the Anti-Defamation League awarded Alan its Daniel R. Ginsberg Leadership Award, “in recognition of exemplary leadership” as a young professional, and in 2021, Colorado Governor Jared Polis selected Alan to serve as a Colorado Governor’s Fellow, one of the state’s most prominent leadership programs. In 2014, Alan celebrated his 30th birthday with the “Charity Thirty” campaign, raising money for six Denver-area nonprofit organizations.

Board Members

Stephen Boane

Photo and bio coming soon.

Anne Marie Brown

Anne Marie’s 18 years of travel industry experience include creating the experiential travel group and custom travel programs at two top luxury destination clubs, consulting for several luxury hospitality companies, and running her own agency since 2017. She grew up as part of a family-owned hotel company, Outrigger Hotels and Resorts, and served on their advisory board for several years. She holds an M.B.A. from the Darden School of Business, University of Virginia, and a Bachelors of the Arts from Colorado College. She is active on the boards of the Denver Santa Claus Shop and the MSU School of Hospitality. She has traveled to 51 countries, (many with her two children), and written 24 children’s books.

Tom Buescher

Tom Buescher is a retired lawyer who has been an active volunteer in the Denver Public Schools in numerous capacities for about 30 years. The Foundation’s Rural Education Committee provides him the chance to use what he has learned plus apply those things to a different model. He is married with two sons and three granddaughters one of whom fortunately lives in Denver. He tries to visit the other two in Philadelphia whenever possible. His hobbies are cooking, playing bridge and reading mysteries.

Doris Burd

After earning her J.D. from Temple University School of Law, Doris worked with the Legal Aid Society of Denver and the University of Denver School Of Law Clinical Education program, followed by engaging in solo practice. She served as a Denver County Court Judge for approximately 29 years, retiring in November 2017. Doris continues to serve as a Senior Judge.

Liza Coughlin

Liza brings fourteen years of strategic planning experience to the board. Liza’s consulting background has primarily been in the area of child and teen healthcare. She has led operational improvement projects that streamlined existing systems and guided strategic partnerships between major hospital networks. While healthcare is her background, Liza is passionate about equitable access to education and personal empowerment through education. Liza has volunteered at New Legacy Charter School since 2017, has served on their board since 2021, she is currently serving her second term as board chair. Liza is excited to expand her involvement in education by serving on the board of the Nathan Yip Foundation. In her spare time, Liza enjoys running, hiking and skiing with her family and watching her 3 young children play and be curious. Liza received her B.A. in Economics from Northwestern University.

Adrienne Ruston Fitzgibbons

Bio coming soon.

Andrew Garnett

Andrew Garnett is a fourth generation Coloradan with deep roots in Colorado’s rural plains and mining communities. His grandmother went to Brush highschool and earned her teaching certificate from the University of Colorado in 1970 and became an elementary school teacher. His mother was a principal, special education teacher, special education administrator, and school psychologist in Boulder Valley Public Schools for over 30 years. Andrew is managing partner of Garnett Powell Maximon Barlow, a litigation law firm in Denver and Boulder, Colorado. Andrew is passionate about the law and using his legal career to help people solve their most complicated problems. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time throughout Colorado with his wife, daughter, and English Bulldog. He also loves Colorado sports teams, golf, and fly fishing.

Melly Kinnard

After a career as a medical social worker at Fitzsimons Medical Center and Camp Zama, Japan during the Vietnam war, Melly worked as an oncology social worker at Touro infirmary in New Orleans. Melly’s second career was “Get Organized!” – a professional organization consultation business, which she founded. For 23 years she worked with Lucent Technologies, Merrill Lynch, and AT&T, and was the spokesperson for Office Depot. Melly’s third career is a volunteer at Children’s Hospital NICU, Porter Hospice Residence, Children’s Diabetes, and Denver Rotary.

Jake Kubie

Jake brings more than 20 years of experience in journalism, public relations, and strategic communications to his role as a board member for the Nathan Yip Foundation. He currently serves as Director of Communications for Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance, where he has led media relations and audience and community engagement efforts for the past seven years. A graduate of the University of Denver, Jake is deeply committed to the community and uses his communications expertise to support causes that make a meaningful impact.

Lynn Luce

Photo and bio coming soon.

Lisa Butterly McDonald

Lisa is a second generation Denver native with a true love for all things Colorado. She also loves to give back to the community that raised her by actively supporting local ACE scholarships, Excelsior Youth Center, and the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance, amongst other organizations. Family, friends, and clients are all a top priority for Lisa, who has cultivated endless patience and compassion as well as high level organizational and multitasking skills while raising her five children. When she’s not working or meeting with clients, you’ll find her in a hot yoga studio, walking the family dogs, hiking, and enjoying all that Colorado has to offer.

Lisa has over 20 years of experience in luxury sales and consulting at Neiman Marcus which naturally translates to concierge level service for her real estate clients. Following her work with Neiman Marcus & eBay, Lisa founded and operated her own e-commerce company. She has been awarded the Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women In Business award and has received multiple award nominations. However, not even a booming e-commerce business could satisfy Lisa’s growing need to see her friends and clients find their perfect home. With that in mind, Lisa jumped full-time into the world of residential real estate. Lisa is a member of the South Metro Denver Realtors Association. She earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Marketing and Communication from Cornell College.

Jon Olafson - Past President

Jon grew up in Wadena, Minnesota, a rural town in west central Minnesota, far from any urban center. His family has always been education-centric. Jon’s father was a coach and teacher in a rural school for 35 years. Jon’s sister was a teacher and a coach in a rural school for 30+ years and his nephew is now a teacher in a rural school. While Jon is not a teacher like many in his family, education is clearly in his blood. He received his degree in Political Science in 1998 from the University of North Dakota. He then attended Texas Tech University, where he received his Doctor of Jurisprudence. After practicing law in Texas for over 10 years, Jon moved to Denver. He now practices at the firm of Lewis Brisbois where he focuses on trade secrets, corporate espionage, commercial, corporate, and fiduciary duties disputes and counseling, and employment law.

Jon is very involved in the community. He has served as the President of the Denver Philharmonic Orchestra for the past 9 years, an organization near and dear to his heart. He also sits on the Executive Council of the Colorado Bar Association, where he leads the CBA’s Racial Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusivity Committee. Jon also serves on the Opera Colorado Board of Directors, and as the Chair of the Admissions and Membership Committee of the University Club of Denver. When not working or serving his community, Jon enjoys time with his partner, Jerry, and their two dogs Elske and Bailey, along with their friends and family.

Jane Netzorg

Jane Netzorg was born in Shanghai where her father, Jules Watson, was a pilot for China National Aviation Corporation, a subsidiary of Pan American Airlines.

After graduating from the University of Florida with a degree in advertising, Jane worked in San Francisco and Colorado Springs in marketing and real estate development and was Vice President of Widefield Homes. Jane moved to Denver where she married her husband, Skip (Gordon) Netzorg, a trial lawyer with Sherman and Howard.

Jane gives back to the community through her church and has served with numerous community organizations and Boards including Colorado Ballet, the Vail International Dance Festival, the Kempe Center, Volunteers of America, Kent Denver School, the Denver Center Alliance, Welcome to Colorado and the Denver Ballet Guild.

Having traveled to Asia many times with her family and attending Flying Tiger/CNAC reunions, Jane was moved by the dedication and commitment of the Nathan Yip Foundation to improve the lives of children in China. Most recently, Jane and her husband, Skip, chaired the 2016 NYF Chinese New Year Gala.

Dr. Michael Schaffer

Dr. Michael Schaffer is a Denver-based physician and dedicated community leader. With a deep commitment to education and equity, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Nathan Yip Foundation, helping guide its mission to expand opportunities for students in rural Colorado. Dr. Schaffer brings both professional expertise and a passion for service to his role, strengthening the Foundation’s impact across the state.

Dr. Joe Wagner

Joe, who was born in South Dakota, grew up in Wiley, CO, and is the science teacher at Eads High School in Eads, CO. This is his ninth year of teaching and is still very passionate about education and science, and tries to pass that passion onto his students. Joe has a Bachelor’s degree in Biology from Oklahoma Panhandle State University, a Master’s in Animal Science from Oklahoma State University, and a Ph.D. in Psychology from Walden University. Both of Joe’s parents were in education. His father just retired as a professor at Colorado State University and his mother has been in education at the primary, secondary, and collegiate levels. This has helped Joe become very familiar with the educational and research/science fields. Additionally, he has two sisters-in-law and a brother-in-law who are elementary teachers; and his wife is a preschool teacher. Joe is excited to bring his background and passion for education to the foundation in order to help educators and students around the state.

Deborah Yim

Deborah Yim is the founder and managing attorney of the Denver-based Primera Law Group, a law firm specializing in employment law. She was recently recognized by Law Week Colorado as the People’s Choice for “Best Employment Lawyer for Plaintiffs” (2022) and by Asian Avenue Magazine as a Community Hero (2022) and one of “100 Asians to Know in Denver.” Previously, Deborah served as an Assistant United States Attorney in the Central District of California, and she was also an attorney-adviser for the U.S. Department of the Interior. Deborah is the current president of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Colorado and serves on the City of Denver’s Immigrant and Refugee Commission, as well as on the board of Colorado Asian Culture & Education Network.

Board Emeritus

Okie Arnot

Okie Arnot has over 30 years of top-producing experience in the real estate industry, serving thousands of clients including hospitals, schools and other nonprofit and corporate organizations. Past clients include Lockheed Martin, Merrill Lynch and Century Link. She received a Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of Phoenix. As a member of the South Metro Denver Realtor Association, Okie has served on numerous committees and was named President in 2003. Okie was honored as “Realtor of the Year,” currently serves as state director for the Colorado Association of Realtors, is a professional coach for small businesses, and teaches at local, state and national platforms on real estate.

Okie and her husband, Dennis, enjoy serving in their church and, when time permits, playing golf and attending the theater and Rockies games.

Sam Bacon

Photo and bio coming soon.

Emily Barrett

Bio coming soon.

Suzanne Buchanan

Photo and bio coming soon.

Cynthia Chan

Photo and bio coming soon.

Dr. Larry Chan

Dr. Larry Chan is passionate about helping the sick and the poor around the world. Dr. Chan grew up in Hong Kong and developed his passion for serving others under the influence of his mentor Reverend Howard Trube of the Maryknoll Mission.

Dr. Chan was educated at University of Hong Kong, Oxford, and Harvard University. He is the founding director of Transplant Nephrology Program at the University of Colorado, where he has been on the faculty for over 30 years as a professor of transplant medicine. Dr. Chan has trained more than 100 fellows and has published four books and over 300 articles in various medical and scientific journals. He was also a founding member of the American Society of Transplant Physicians and has served with numerous national and international organizations as committee chair and board member. In Colorado, Dr. Chan serves on the Board of Directors of Opera Colorado, the University Club, Asian Performing Arts of Colorado and the American Transplant Foundation.

Thomas Dyer

Photo and bio coming soon.

Jill Henwood

Jill Shenkel Henwood is a passionate educator and non-profit leader. She is the Executive Director of the Yampa Valley Partnership for Students, Stewardship and Sustainability in northwest Colorado. Her personal mission since student teaching in inner-city Philadelphia has been to help empower young people with the skills and abilities needed to change their world. Jill is a western Colorado native, received her Bachelor’s Degree in Human Biology, with a focus on cross-cultural education, from Stanford University, and her Master’s Degree in Education from University of Pennsylvania. Her teaching career began on the Zuni and Navajo reservations in New Mexico before moving back to Western Colorado, eventually landing with her family in Olathe, Colorado. While in Western Colorado, Jill established and grew Girls on the Run of Western Colorado. The organization began with 40 girls and 12 coaches at two sites, and under leadership it grew to serve more than 2500 girls annually (coached by 600+ volunteer coaches) at 120 sites (23 counties) throughout Western Colorado, eastern Utah and northwest New Mexico. Jill simultaneously maintained her connections to K-12 education as an ESL teacher and cross country/track coach in Olathe. After moving to the Denver metro area, she returned to the classroom as a STEAM teacher in Englewood, but remained committed to educational equity and opportunity for all students, especially those in rural Colorado. Jill has three daughters who experienced both the opportunities and the limitations of rural education in Olathe, Colorado, and a husband who is a rural Colorado superintendent. She is a lifelong runner who finds inspiration and ideas on trail runs with her dog, enjoys time running in the pool or on trails with her running with her friends. Most of all, she enjoys visiting her daughters – wherever their lives take them – currently Pennsylvania, Florida and South Carolina.

Agatha Kessler Fentress

Agatha Kessler Fentress is Chairman of Fentress Architects, where she oversees the advancement of the firm’s strategic vision.

Agatha attended University of London, Warwick Business School, and Oxford University. As a professor of business at universities in Canada and the West Indies, Agatha earned accolades for her innovative teaching style. After transitioning to the business world, she spent many years with industry leading companies such as VISA and Hewlett-Packard where she took on leadership roles developing international opportunities for growth.

Agatha truly believes that the world is one country and mankind its citizens. She has lived in ten countries on four continents and worked for three years as a volunteer, educating children in Africa and the Caribbean.

Christine Chang Gillette

Christine Chang Gillette is a devoted wife, mom, and, above all, a child of God. She brings a wealth of experience as an Emmy Award–winning news anchor and reporter, with nearly 20 years in broadcast journalism, and now shares her talents as a digital content creator and Admissions Manager at the International School of Denver. Christine finds joy in reading, tennis, yoga, and most of all, spending time with her husband and son. She lives each day with gratitude and a deep commitment to faith, family, and community.

Denise Gliwa

Denise Gliwa is an independent communications and marketing professional with over 30 years of experience working in Denver and New York City. She represents clients locally and across the globe with an emphasis on media relations and creative strategy. Her clients’ stories have graced the pages of newspapers and magazines worldwide including The Wall Street Journal, The New York Times, China Daily, Al Jazeera USA, National Public Radio and hundreds of other major national online and print outlets.

Originally from Youngstown, Ohio, Denise and her husband, Kevin, have two adult children, Catie and Charlie. Denise holds a Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Wittenberg University in Springfield, Ohio and a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Boston University School of Public Relations. In addition, Denise is a licensed substitute teacher in Denver Public Schools. Denise is an avid community volunteer and served as a mentor at East High School for eight years through the A+ Angels program. She helped to found the local chapter of Children’s International Summer Villages and also serves on the Board of Asian Performing Arts of Colorado.

Martha Hussain

Martha Quinn Hussain is a business professional with over 30 years of experience in Denver. She was a CPA with Arthur Andersen in Denver with clients including nonprofits, real estate developers, oil and gas exploration companies, manufacturing and distribution enterprises and regional newspaper publishers. More recently, she worked as Director of Operations at Hitachi Consulting Company.

Martha is an enthusiastic community volunteer and has served on a number of boards. Originally from Rochester, New York, Martha is married to Irfan Hussain, a recently retired physician with Kaiser Permanente, and is the mother of two adult children, Zach and Asher. Martha holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Rochester and a Masters of Business Administration degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder.

Mike Kalush

Mike Kalush is an Emmy award winning television producer and photographer who has produced the Nathan Yip Foundation videos over the past years. He has traveled to China multiple times, seeing first-hand how the foundation is positively impacting children’s lives.

Mike owns his own company, Kalush Video Productions, and has more than 30 years of experience working for all the major TV networks and traveling the world producing videos for large corporations.

Mike is married to 7News anchor, Anne Trujillo, who is the emcee at the annual NYF Chinese New Year Gala. Mike and Anne have two children, Michael and Kira, who have also volunteered their time for the foundation. Mike is an avid mountain unicyclist and in 2013, rode his unicycle across Colorado from Kansas to Utah to raise awareness for single parents.

Ann Kirby

Ann Marie Kirby was born and grew up in England. She received her nursing degree from the Royal Liverpool University. Following school, Ann spent three years in Bermuda and then came to Colorado to work for a year with the Colorado Outward Bound School, living primarily in a tent in Leadville. Ann then took the Colorado nursing board exams and was the transplant coordinator for University Hospital in Denver. During her 25-year career in nursing, Ann served on the board of the Donor Awareness Council and made numerous overseas trips to provide medical care in Bolivia, Nepal, India, Sri Lanka, and Mexico. She has also joined the Nathan Yip Foundation for two China trips, where she saw first-hand the power of the Foundation to transform the lives of young people, which inspired her to support NYF and join the board. Ann now works in the bio-pharmaceutical industry and when she finds a spare moment, she enjoys hiking and working in the garden with the good company of her Welsh Corgi.

Barbara Laff

Photo and bio coming soon.

Gerry Miale

Bio coming soon

Priscilla Negreanu

Photo and bio coming soon.

Sharon Scott

Sharon Scott is a community volunteer who holds degrees in nursing and law from the University of Colorado. Sharon began her nursing career in pediatric and adolescent psychiatry at Children’s Hospital and University Hospital in Denver. She continues to participate in public health projects for Denver Health and University Hospital.

Since earning her J.D., Sharon has worked in research for the Kempe Center in Denver, as an in-house child advocate for Boston Children’s Hospital/Judge Baker Center, an administrator of child welfare grants for the Colorado Department of Social Services, and a nurse-legal counsel with the Western Center for Occupational Medicine. Sharon has also taught advocacy and individual responsibility skills in elementary, middle and high school classrooms for many years. Until 2014, she and a colleague operated White-Scott, where she coached students with learning differences to prepare for post-secondary school settings.

Sharon has been an active volunteer with Asian Performing Arts Council, the Colorado Dragon Boat Festival, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, Denver Foundation, Safehouse for Battered Women, Colorado Children’s Campaign, Graland Country Day School, St. Mary’s Academy, Kent Country Day School, Colorado Ballet and the Handweaver’s Guild of Boulder.

Anne Sneed

Anne Sneed is a community volunteer whose passion is supporting educational opportunities for the underserved. She was the founding President of The East High Angel Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting educational excellence at East High School. Anne created and is the director of the Angel Foundation’s Student Assistance Fund program. The goal of this program is to remove the economic barriers to academic success for all students. Anne also served on the board of Summer Scholars whose mission is to support low-income, academically struggling young learners by providing rigorous literacy instruction and enrichment programs. Anne is a graduate of the University of California at San Diego, has an MBA from University of Colorado and is a Certified Financial Planner™.

David Thomson

With 25 years in real estate development experience, David Thomson has been featured in Who’s Who in Real Estate by the Denver Business Journal for many years. He was also selected for the Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list in 2002. David was responsible for bringing the likes of GE, Arrow Electronics, and NBH to Colorado as the Director of Global Business Development for the State of Colorado under Governor Hickenlooper. As COO and a partner to East West Partners, David has been associated with large scale development projects that include the base village of Winter Park Ski Resort, River Run Village at Keystone Ski Resort, Riverfront Park in Denver, and Cordillera in Vail, Colorado.

David is a graduate of the University of Denver and Thunderbird University. David serves on various Boards including the Winter Park Ski Resort Trust, Colorado Business Committee for the Arts, Denver Film Society and The Burns Society DU Real Estate School.

David currently serves as Vice President of Private Client Services for Kairoi Residential. He enjoys spending time outdoors with his son, Zach, and is an active skier and runner. Since the passing of his son, Connor, he has dedicated much of his time to the Honor Connor Fund, providing scholarships to Phi Kappa Psi Fraternity members attending the University of Colorado. honorconnorfund.org

Rural Colorado Advisory Committee

Tom Buescher - Chair

Tom Buescher is a retired lawyer who has been an active volunteer in the Denver Public Schools in numerous capacities for about 30 years. The Foundation’s Rural Education Committee provides him the chance to use what he has learned plus apply those things to a different model. He is married with 2 sons and 2 granddaughters who he visits in California as much as possible. His hobby is cooking but he is becoming much more interested in playing duplicate bridge.