Board of Directors
Our board of directors team is a group of working professionals who are greatly respected in their community and have earned their seats at our table. They find the time in their schedule because our cause is important and we make a difference day in and day out. These individuals and their predecessors have donated over 83,000 hours to DCIS and travel initiatives since 1997. Each board member makes a meaningful donation every year and is committed to attending monthly board meetings and assisting in the annual Gala. They care deeply about DCIS students, education, and the changing world around us.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR |CEO
Dr. Theresa Meier Conley
Theresa is a nonprofit marketing scholar, Professor Emeritus at the University of Denver, consultant, and past high-tech product development executive. Theresa believes travel at all stages in life is core to personal and professional development. She says, “The lasting impressions of exploring the world and getting out of one’s comfort zone, help guide a more thoughtful perspective and change your outlook”. Dr. Conley is a part-time employee.
Theresa holds a BFA in Graphic Design, an MS in Communication Technology both from Eastern IL University, and a Ph.D. from the University of Denver (Dissertation topic: Nonprofit Marketing and Ethics).
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: I lived and worked in Bologna, Italy (University of Bologna) for four months alongside a group of students from The University of Denver. We traveled, explored, talked, debated, and had an amazing educational experience together. Perfetto.
Study Abroad: Dusseldorf, Germany: (Age 15)
Languages: English, German (conversant), and a wee-bit of Italian and Chinese
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Brady Efting, Principal, The Alchemy Group
Brady Efting was a Social Studies Teacher at DCIS Baker, a travel lover, a business leader, and now is a local realtor super-star and co-founder of the Alchemy Reality,(brady@bradyefting.com) https://www.facebook.com/Thealchemygroupdenver
Brady's experiences at DCIS helped open him up to the power of travel and exploring new cultures. While at DCIS, Brady led three Service Learning trips to Peru, led one Italian Exchange, and spent 8 weeks teaching U.S. History in China. Additionally, Brady taught various DCIS elective classes, most notably Intro to Cultures and Global Service Learning. Whether through travel or in the classroom, Brady experienced significant changes in students and their way of thinking by opening up to the wonders of the world. Brady received his BA in Political Science from the University of Northern Colorado and completed his Teaching License at The University of Colorado - Denver.
Languages: Spanish (Beginner)
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Three adventurous service-learning trips to Peru with DCIS students learning grit, persistence, and leadership along the way.
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Shea Kauffman, JD, Founder and Managing Partner, Alpenglow Energy Solutions, LLC
After receiving her Juris Doctorate from the University of Denver in 2006, Shea went to work for Burns, Wall, Smith & Meuller where she wrote title opinions and worked with the oil and gas litigation team. Eventually, she went to work for Anadarko Petroleum Corporation as a mineral landman. After Anadarko, Shea joined Crestone Peak Resources as the VP of Land and Business Development and acted as the company’s interim general counsel. When Crestone Peak was acquired by Civitas Resources in 2021, Shea took on the role of Deputy General Counsel for Civitas until February 2024. She currently serves as co-founder and CEO of Alpenglow Energy Solutions LLC where she supports oil and gas companies, surface developers and renewable and restoration projects in the Rocky Mountain region with her 20 years of land, legal, and corporate governance experience.
Shea is an avid traveler and spends as much time as she can exploring new parts of the world. Both of her children attended the International School of Denver and DenverLanguage School, where they studied Mandarin. She is committed to giving her children the opportunity to see the world, experience cultures and embrace diversity. Shea was a member of the Senior Assistance Center board of directors in Denver, Colorado and acted as a trustee for Colorado Ballet. She currently serves on the Advocacy Committee for the Denver Association of Professional Landmen and serves as a board member for the Denver Center for Intercultural Scholars Foundation.
Outside of work, Shea enjoys traveling, cooking, spending time in the Colorado Rockies and enjoying time with her family and friends.
Languages: English, French and Spanish
Favorite Travel Experiences: Traveling the western United States, spending time in Hawaii and traveling as much as she can throughout Europe.
BOARD PRESIDENT
Mr. Dave Smith, MBA, Project/Program Manager and Engineer
Dave works for Jacobs supporting the U.S. Federal Government with operations, maintenance, and construction projects in the US and internationally. He grew up in Iowa, South Dakota, and Colorado. After graduating from Iowa State University with a BS in Construction Engineering, he moved to Denver, where he has primarily lived, with intermittent deployments to Reno, Antarctica, and Kyiv, Ukraine. While in Denver, he completed his Executive MBA at the University of Denver. Dave has a son and daughter who attend DCIS Fairmont and a second daughter that will go there next year. His family loves the mountains, so Dave is an avid outdoorsman who is mildly addicted to mountain biking, fly fishing, climbing, and skiing.
Travel experience: Dave has traveled to all seven continents, and visited over 40 countries. He left his job twice to travel around the world, where he has done extensive volunteering, backpacking, and tourism. He met his wife while working at the South Pole Station in Antarctica. Every country has its own unique qualities, but he’s most attracted to cultural experiences, which is why his favorite place to travel is South America. Dave has built houses for homeless families in central Brazil, taken Spanish immersion courses in Peru, spent over two months backpacking in Patagonia, and been fly fishing in one of the most remote areas of Bolivia. The passion and zest for life of the people in South America will always draw him back.
Languages: English, Spanish (beginner/intermediate), Portuguese (beginner), Russian (beginner), and Ukrainian (beginner).
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Dana Novara, URBAN PAW, DVM, CCRT, Fear Free Certified
After graduating from the University of Minnesota in 2008 Dr. Novara spent time in small animal practice before moving into veterinary leadership roles within Banfield, where she was most recently Vice President Veterinary Quality in the Southwest region. Currently, she is building her own practice, Urban Paw Veterinary Health and Rehabilitation in Denver (not far from DCIS schools).
Dana cannot wait to give back more to her local community through specialized services and local advocacy. She is an active member of AVMA and CVMA as well as a member of the public speaking pool for the Women Veterinary Leadership Development Initiative (WVLDI).
Study abroad and travel: Australia, South Africa, Peru, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Portugal, Ireland, Scotland, and England. Many of these trips were grant-funded study abroad trips that have “changed my life and perspective”.
BOARD VP/SECRETARY
Ms. Stacy Yauk, HR Director, BCNF
Stacy Yauk is currently an HR Director for a Class I railroad in Colorado. She has 20 years of HR experience both internationally and domestically. She was born and raised in a suburb just North of Manhattan and came to Colorado in 1999 to attend Colorado State University where she obtained a BA in History. Stacy has a daughter that attends DCIS Baker studying Spanish.
Travel experience: Traveling to Mexico, Canada, South America and several European countries has been a tremendous influence on Stacy and her family. These are valuable experiences that she hopes to continue with her family.
Languages: English and Spanish (beginner)
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Erin Sorce, MA;
For all of her adult life, Erin Sorce has had a passion for studying international development challenges and philanthropy. She began as a Peace Corp Volunteer in Punta Gorda, Belize, where her first, real life accomplishment was raising money and securing government resources for a piped water system in the District of Toledo. Smitten by the sector, Erin returned to the US to complete a dual MA in Public Health and Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. Her career led her through the fields of philanthropic/foundation consulting, and a tenure with Concern Worldwide, US, where she served as Program Officer for Foundations. Her work at Concern was a dream come true - supporting field offices’ ability to address critical needs in the areas of health, livelihoods, education, and emergency response. Erin now works for Aldelesco. Her favorite part of working with Concern was helping with site visits, where she cherished the opportunity to facilitate perspective sharing amongst donors and field staff. This love for cultural exchange is a keystone to Erin’s parenting. She continues to explore the incredible world we live in with her husband and three children. Erin also volunteers at her children’s schools and works as a voter registration judge.
Favorite travel Experience: Erin loves having a life partner who shares her love for travel. When our oldest was in 3rd grade we determined that we wanted to show the kids that budgeting made travel happen so we tempted them with a 5th grade trip to “anywhere” in the world. We planned and studied to take our son to Italy when he was in 5th grade. While we studied as a family for our son’s trip, our daughter fell in love with Hatshepsut and determined her trip would be to Egypt. And our youngest found a horseback riding trip over the Salcantay pass in Peru. Needless to say our kids are taken by travel!
Languages: English and Italian (beginner)
BOARD TREASURER
Mr. Robert Bresnahan, Oil/Gas Industry Advisor
Bob Bresnahan is a Surface Landman Advisor for a top Oil & Gas producer in Colorado. He grew up in central Denver and attended Denver Public Schools. Through opportunities provided in middle and high school his appetite for travel grew. Participating in the Youth Ambassador Student Exchange program with Israel, Amigos De Las Americas (Brazil), and extensive domestic travel, he experienced the importance for cross cultural education, knowledge, and respect. As a young man, Bob traveled throughout China as the Director of Manufacturing for a U.S. seasonal company. Bob holds a B.S in Criminal Justice and Criminology from MSU-Denver and has a certification as a Registered Petroleum Landman. Bob has a son that attends DCIS Baker studying Japanese.
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Amigos de las Americas provided a foundation for his love of travel and cross-cultural experiences spending eight weeks learning Portuguese in Brazil planting trees, building latrines, and teaching English.
Languages: English and Spanish (beginner)
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Julia Spratt, M.S., CCC-SLP
Julia Spratt is a Clinical Quality Manager for National Jewish Health in Denver. In this role she is responsible for maintaining state contracts for pediatric behavioral health programs, including the Federal Part C Early Intervention Program, and leading a team of service coordinators and direct service providers to support Denver families. Julia is a Speech and Language Pathologist by trade who graduated from NYU with a bachelor’s in Communication Disorders, and Cal State East Bay with a Master’s of Science in Speech Pathology. She is a current MBA candidate at the University of Denver, with a focus on executive leadership. She is extremely passionate about equity and access within our healthcare and educational systems and is a strong advocate for disability justice. Julia is a native New Yorker who made her way to Colorado via a 10 year stay in California, where she owned a private therapy practice specializing in assistive technology and augmentative communication. She studied abroad in Italy while in college and has traveled with medical teams to Guatemala to support communities there. Julia’s husband is from Mexico City, which has become a second home, and their favorite family activity is traveling anywhere they can think of! She has a middle school student at DCIS Baker who has inherited her same love of learning and sharing culture through travel.
Favorite travel experience:
This past March we had the opportunity to spend a month in Osaka and travel throughout the country enjoying both the beautiful rural countryside and the vibrant cities of Japan. It was one of the most special and memorable travel experiences for our family.
PAST BOARD PRESIDENT
Mr. Matt Harrison, Co-Founder, Quandary Consultants
Matt Harrison is the co-founder of an environmental and regulatory consulting firm, Quandary Consultants LLC, based in downtown Denver. Matt has a real passion for travel and has visited numerous places in Europe, South America, and Central America. Originally from Missouri, he has made Denver his home. He holds a BS in Biology from Southern Illinois University and an MS in Environmental Management from Samford University.
Languages: English and Spanish (beginner)
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Traveling throughout Mexico with my wife, Carrie and two children, Daisy and Holden. I’ve been fortunate to spend time in the following countries; Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, British Virgin Islands, Canada, Chile, Czech Republic, England, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Scotland, and Switzerland.
BOARD MEMBER
Ms. Lisa Tadiri, MA; VP Development National Jewish
Lisa is currently serving as the Vice President of Development for National Jewish Health. In this role she is responsible for an annual revenue goal of $30M and a team of 55 staff members in Denver and across the country in five regional offices. Previously Lisa was the Vice President of Development for Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains for 13 years overseeing philanthropy for a multi-state region. She has spent the last 30 years of her career raising funds for nonprofits. Lisa graduated from Miami University in Oxford Ohio with Bachelor and Master of Arts degrees in Political Science.
Lisa is a first generation American with a Swiss born mother and Italian born father. Travel, learning about and experiencing other cultures have always been an important part of the fabric of her family life. Her son Sam attended DCIS Baker from 6-12th grade graduating in 2016.
BOARD MEMBER
Mr. Brandon Bohn, Director of IT/Cloud Operations
Technology has always been a central passion for Brandon. He combined this interest with his love for theater, specifically in lighting and sound, which earned him a letter in high school. He continued honing those skills by running sound and lights for the local club at the CU student union. Brandon pursued a degree in Information Systems at the Leeds School of Business, and it was while working at the university bookstore that his IT career began.
After graduating, Brandon embraced the opportunity to travel Europe with a friend, joined his parents on sailing adventures, and toured with Warren Miller, showcasing that year’s ski film. At a pivotal moment, alongside several close friends, he co-founded a technology consulting company, Viriton. Through Viriton, he had the privilege of working with incredible organizations and people across diverse industries, tackling a wide array of challenges and seizing opportunities to improve security and process.
Travel experience:
Brandon learned early on the importance of travel and cultural exploration when his mother began taking him on trips across the UK, Costa Rica, and more. These experiences helped shape his appreciation for different cultures and perspectives. In high school, Brandon deepened his global connections by staying with a French family during a school trip to France, further fueling his love for travel.
Today, as a father of two, Brandon continues to share his love for travel with his children, inspiring them to explore the world. One of his most cherished memories is proposing to his wife, Erika, in Bergen, Norway.
BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Matt Weimer, PhD, R&D Scientist
Matt specializes in atomic layer coatings of materials at Forge Nano. According to Matt, one can enact a significant change in how a device functions by understanding and controlling the chemical properties at the atomic scale. Matt has a BS in Chemistry from the University of Washington and a PhD from the Illinois Institute of Technology with a joint graduate appointment at Argonne National Laboratory. Matt has multiple papers, patents, and talks in the fields of synthetic chemistry, atomic layer deposition, and chemical vapor deposition. He has a fierce passion for alternative energy and science. From a young age, his parents instilled the importance of striving to do the greatest good, for the greatest number, for the longest time. In addition, he feels that the best way to develop human empathy is through travel, both national and international. In his spare time, he is an avid racquetball player, hiker, camper, skier, novice surfer, and traveler. Matt lives with his family in Athmar Park and his daughter attends DCIS Fairmont in the Spanish Immersion program.
Favorite Travel Experience: Science is an international career and Matt has lectured around the globe. Recently Matt had the opportunity to travel with my wife and daughter through Belgium and England after giving a talk at a conference in Brussels.
Matt has also spent time in Indonesia, Peru, Belgium, England, Mexico, Canada and all across the US.
Languages: English and Spanish (beginner/intermediate)
Board Advisors
BOARD ADVISOR
Alicia Lucero, Indigenous and Hispanic Communities
BOARD ADVISOR
Jennifer Newton, JD, Program Advising
Jennifer Newton is an attorney by training, fundraiser, medical investigator by experience, and practical problem solver by practice. She spent her early career with the Indiana University Foundation, the US Canoe and Kayak Team, RCI, and the March of Dimes. She has worked in real estate development and management but is most proud of her work to create a medical practice that serves children with complex medical issues who could not find a medical “home” elsewhere. Moving on from that endeavor, she has more recently been focused on educational advocacy and raising awareness about dyslexia.
Most Recent Travel:
Taking her son to University in England. Driving successfully on the left was very empowering. Jennifer’s daughter also plans to move abroad after high school graduation.
Favorite Travel Memory:
Spending New Year’s Eve 1999 in Punta Arenas, Chile, near the Torres del Paine. Jennifer and her now husband, Matt, had hiked the Torres and come out of the park earlier that day wind-blown and exhausted. No matter—the whole town was out in the streets celebrating with a talent show/public dance. It was pouring rain and everyone was so happy to celebrate together!
Impactful Travel Memory:
Traveling to the Soviet Union in the late 1980s was eye-opening for someone who had never experienced a non-democratic society. We watched citizens experience terrible abuse, saw the actual living conditions, and the real limits on life behind the Iron Curtain. But, we also saw the beauty of Leningrad (St. Petersburg), Moscow, Kyiv, and the people who live there.
Languages: English, beginner ASL, and beginner Spanish. My children speak English, Japanese, and varying degrees of Mandarin: and my oldest is moving forward with several other languages as well.
Alumni Leadership Council
Our Alumni Leadership Council is a team of professionals who have been nominated for this role. They provide guidance, leadership, and action on matters related to alumni programs, school connections, mentoring, and curriculum support.
Piper Backburn, Isabella (Perri) Berggren, Alba-Leea Campos-Castro, Eduardo (Eddie) Chavez, Mackenzie Christman, Ca’la Connors, Eliza Cummings, Emily Frazer-Abel, Malia Josephine, Davina James, Rebecca Lipman, Justice Miles, Brooke Porter, Freya Quist, Balfre Reynoso, Jack Virnich, and Sam Wands
Ms. Piper Blackburn (Class of 2015)
“The Passages program and fluency in a foreign language are both parts of a liberal arts-oriented DCIS education. We we were pushed to recognize how big the world is and how many different people live in it.”
Piper graduated from Colorado State University with an M.S. in Civil Engineering after completing a B.S. in Civil Engineering (Honors) at University of Kansas.
She has been an engineer for Arup, Kiewit, McCown Gordan Construction and Engineers Without Borders (in Uganda).
While at DCIS Piper traveled to Italy as an exchange student and then hiked the Inca trail in Peru and did service work with Peruvian Hearts. Peru. Both trips showed her how to be mentally tough and embrace all parts of the journey.
Ms. Isabella Berggren (Class of 2013)
“In the spring of 2012, I had the incredible experience of traveling to Japan with a group of DCIS students and teachers. I'm grateful that I was able to visit the place that I had learned so much about and put my language skills to the test!”
Isabella (Perri) Berggren graduated from the Metropolitan State University of Denver in 2018 with a Bachelor of Science in Technical Communications and a minor in Digital Media. She is passionate about world cultures and languages, Colorado, and being creative.
In 2016, she traveled to Armenia as a part of Armenian Volunteer Corps to Gomk, Armenia to help clear a garden for food cultivation. She is conversant in Japanese, a beginner in Spanish and Armenian, and enjoys practicing and improving her language skills.
Ms. Brooke Porter (Class of 2013)
“My DCIS education was far from ordinary - my geometry course was centered on Islamic design, biology on global health inequalities, and PE involved salsa dancing.”
Brooke holds a BA in Latin American Studies and Visual Art from Mills College and an MSc in Agroecology from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences in conjunction with Universidad de Cordoba in Spain. She is deeply involved in Agroecology Commons, a thought leader nonprofit organization.
While at DCIS, Brooke studied abroad in Argentina in her junior year and conduct my independent learning project on the Argentine dictatorship, US foreign policy, and human rights. I then came back to share my knowledge with others in DPS. She has since traveled and worked in South America and is a proud auntie for her extended family.
Mr. Eduardo Chavez (Class of 2013)
“The experience that I had at DCIS was one of a kind. I was exposed to a lot of concepts and cultures that I wouldn't of been in a regular high school setting. My favorite memory from DCIS was Passages and how that helped me grow and be college-ready.”
Eduardo (Eddie) graduated from the University of Denver with a B.A in Political Science and a minor in Spanish. He currently works as a School Counselor at the Denver Justice High School and is known for his integrity and communication skills.
"When giving advice to young people, Eddie say, “Say YES to experiences that make you uncomfortable or uneasy, you won’t regret it.”
Ms. Ca’la Connors (Class of 2013)
“I see my time at DCIS as what was an important first step in expanding my thinking ad understanding to one that is ultimately more pluralistic and open minded.”
Ca’la graduated from Occidental College in Los Angels in 2017 with a B.A in Diplomacy and World Affairs and Spanish.
Ca’la currently serves as the Community Outreach Specialist at Developmental Pathways where she organizes projects to provide service and resources for the developmentally disabled community.
While at DCIS Ca’la traveled throughout the U.S. with the Iraqi Youth Leadership Exchange Program, and as a Rotary Exchange Student in Peru.
Ms. Freya Quist (Class of 2016)
“DCIS has a small tight-knit environment that allows for a high degree of trust between students and teachers; this is reflected in DCIS's student-led work philosophy.”
Freya graduated from the University of Groningen (Netherlands) with a BA in Diplomacy and now is finishing her MA in International Studies at Johns Hopkins University/Nanjing China campus.
In the summer, Freya teaches Chinese and Spanish at the International School of Denver. Freya not only shares her language skills but also spreads her diverse and exceptional cultural experiences with her community.
While at DCIS Freya travel extensively to Europe on a DCIS Foundation scholarship and then was accepted to study for a year in Taiwan through the NSLI-Y. This immersive experience allowed her to become fluent in Mandarin Chinese.
Ms. Mackenzie Christman (Class of 2015)
“DCIS was not just a school but true community. Teachers cared about students as individuals and pushed us to do our best.”
Mackenzie graduated from the University of Colorado Boulder with a B.A. in Sociology and a minor in Education. She currently works and lives in Denver with her cute dog Harley.
While at DCIS she traveled to Spain in the 8th grade and to Peru during her senior year. She has also enjoyed exploring many parts of Europe with her family. I had a great time practicing my Spanish. We worked with “Peruvian Hearts” and were able to immerse ourselves with the history while on the Inca Trail trek.
Ms. Justice Miles (Class of 2012)
“DCIS is a school that is focused on educating future global citizens. The curriculum features a global lens and students study different languages and cultures.”
Justice received her MFA in Choreography/Dance from the University of New Mexico (2019) and her BA in Dance from Colorado College. Justice now works as a biracial independent choreographer, dance artist, and scholar and takes on projects all over the country that empower and inspire others.
While at DCIS Justice traveled to Israel and Palestine with students of various faiths. It had a big impact on me because it was the first time I had ever been out of the country. (photo:Nir Arieli)
Ms. Davina James (Class of 2012)
“DCIS is a place to expand your thinking beyond your own culture. My favorite was the all school meetings. We learned a lot and I loved the guest presentations we would have!”
Davina graduated from Colorado State University with a BS in Human Development and Family Studies Intervention and Prevention Science. She currently works as a Youth Services Specialist for the Colorado Department of Human Services.
While at DCIS Davina traveled to London, England as a freshman to stay with a host family and traveled and lived in the Caribbean with her family.
Ms. Alba-Leea Kyrene Campos-Castro
“DCIS is a school with a community feel . From guest speakers, to special events, to the different classes and languages offered, I had cross-cultural experiences without going anywhere. It enhanced my love for other cultures and travel.”
Alba Leea received her BS in Athletic Training from Metro State University and went on to earn an MA in Sports Management from Adams State University.
She currently owns and manages a popular culinary hot spot in Denver called Los Amigos Kitchen.
While at DCIS and as a leader in the local soccer community, Alba Leea she learned why passion and hard work are so important. “The opportunities offered and the projects we did while I was at DCIS made the school what it was and it taught me so much.”
Ms. Rebecca Lipman (Class of 2000)
“DCIS is a school that encourages critical thinking and experiences for experiences sake. It has an international focus, foreign language instruction, travel opportunities, community service, and the Passages program.”
Rebecca graduated from the University of Denver with a BA in Humanities Studies and Human Communications. She then received her MA at DU in International Administration and Conflict Resolution. She is also a certified teacher and was in Albania in the Peace Corps. Rebecca now works as the Volunteer Support Lead for the Girl Scouts of Colorado and is involved in extensive community and cultural programs.
While at DCIS Rebecca participated in a student exchange program for a month during her senior year in Israel. The trip was especially meaningful as a way to connect her Jewish faith and have a greater understanding of the geo-political situation of this volatile area.
Mr. Sam Wands (Class of 2015)
“Perhaps the most important way that DCIS influenced me was through the emphasis on cultural awareness and curiosity.”
Sam graduated from from the University of Southern California in 2019 (B.A. Bachelor in International Relations and French (Honors). He is currently finishing his Master of Public Policy at USC.
Sam lives in Los Angeles and is passionate about foreign policy, international development, sustainability, and learning about political movements.
While at DCIS Sam traveled to Italy as an exchange student and to Turkey as part of NSLI-Y. Sam travels have revealed that we have so much more in common with one another than we think, and, at the same time, it is fascinating to consider the details that make us unique.
Mr. Balfre Reynoso (Class of 2015)
“At DCIS we were exposed to a variety of cultures and languages in the hopes that we can create global citizens, citizens that are open minded and kind.”
Balfre graduated from Lawrence University with a BA in Psychology and is certified in BLS/CPR and as a nursing assistant. He currently works as a Telemetry Technician at Denver Health.
When Balfre was a senior at DCIS he traveled to Italy and stayed with a host family in Buccino. The trip changed his life. Balfre became fluid in Italian (he was already fluid in Spanish) and wanted to see more of the world. “It felt surreal, I remember the excitement I felt touching the stone of the coliseum in Rome.”
Ms. Eliza Cummings (Class of 2013)
“Being a student at DCIS changed my life. It was the critical foundation that equipped me with essential skills to become a global citizen. DCIS gave me incredible opportunities to pioneer and lead student initiatives and engage in educational travel. I will forever be indebted to the staff who mentored and taught me.”
Eliza attended Smith College and won the prestigious Dawes prize and was a Stride Scholar and athlete (swimming). She has language background in: Kiswahili, TeReoMaori, Luganda, Hiligaynon, and French. Eliza is now the Humanitarian Development Coordinator for the New Zealand Red Cross.
While at DCIS Eliza was a student researcher at Women’s Global Empowerment Fund in Northern Uganda, traveled to the Yucatan, served as a sighted guide for the blind to summit Iztaccihuatl, was an exchange student in the Philippines. and an honored marathon swimmer.
Ex-Officio & CHAMPIONS
Our elite team of Ex-Officio professionals (founders and past board officers) guide us daily in our mission, scholarship policies, and strategy. They are the heart of the DCIS FOUNDATION and are also a part of the Council of Advisors team.
Dr. Dan Lutz, Foundation Co-Founder, Sr. Champion
Dr. Dan Lutz is the founding father of Denver’s international schools. After stints at Teacher Corps in New York and the Peace Corps in Afghanistan. and completing a MA in Cross-Cultural Education, he returned to teach in Denver Public Schools where he developed and directed a high school international studies magnet program for twenty-one years. He assisted in establishing this foundation as a key support for the students in that program. Dr. Lutz holds a PhD from the University of Denver, Morgridge College of Education.
In 2020, Dr. Dan Lutz partnered with succession Principal, Marisa Vasquez to ensure a smooth transition of leadership. He continues to be involved in a variety of educational ventures and projects at lutzglobe.org.
MORE ABOUT DAN LUTZ and DCIS schools/DCIS Foundation history.
Ms. Linda Lidov, Advisor
Ms. Lidov is a past board member and has deep professional background in communications and community relations. She continues to be engaged with the DCIS community and has a keen appreciation for international education and the impact it can have on one’s life. She is the past president of Highland Communications Works where she served a variety of clients including nonprofit and government agencies, and is currently director of communications and membership for a conservation-focused nonprofit.
Languages: English and French
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: At age 17 Linda lived near Paris with a host family, with whom she continues to have a close relationship. She cherishes the numerous times she has visited and hosted them here in the U.S., and the dozens of letters they've exchanged over three decades.
Ms. Melanie Grant, Foundation Co-Founder, Sr. Champion
Melanie’s impact to global education and intercultural awareness is remarkable and hard to quantify. She has traveled with DCIS students, mentored DCIS students, board member and administrators, given untold hours of service to the DCIS Foundation cause and continues to propel the foundation forward with her guidance and leadership. She is a dedicated, open-minded education enthusiasts and long-time philanthropists. Additionally, her connections and dedication to organizations like Denver Sister Cities International, the DPS Foundation, the Nathan Yip Foundation, and the Rotary Club add unequal richness and meaning to DCIS FOUNDATION family and DCIS schools.
Ms. Maria (Lupita) Monclova, Esq., Advisor
Ms. Monclova is a past board member and president. She is an alumnus of DCIS Baker (class of 2000, then CIS) and past grant recipient of the DCIS Foundation. Ms. Monclova earned her J.D. from the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. She is the owner of Monclova Law in Denver, specializing in immigration and family law. She has also volunteered as a pro-bono attorney for Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network and Colorado Legal Services.
Languages: English, Spanish and Japanese
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: At age 17 Maria had the opportunity to get on a plane for the first time in her life and travel to Japan with her class mates. The group visited the Hiroshima memorial, stayed with host families, and experienced true Japanese culture. Maria stepped out of her comfort zone and developed a passion for travel. She felt like she had what it takes to be independent in life, which is what motivated her to be the first one in her family to leave home and attend college. Maria has since realized the importance of understanding other cultures, which has changed her perception of the world. Since then, Maria has traveled to many countries including, Spain, Italy, Russia, Brazil, Costa Rica, Bahamas, Greece.
Ms. Cara Goman, Past President + Volunteer, Social Media and Marketing
Cara has immersed herself extensively in multiple cultures, including Guatemala, Spain, Chile, New Zealand, Hong Kong and Brazil. Following a successful career in corporate communications, Cara turned to the field of education – first as a Field Writer for kiva.org/Friendship Bridge in Guatemala and later as a Spanish lecturer at The University of Virginia. She is an associate editor of Microgrid Knowledge, a leading site for news on microgrids and distributed energy resources. Cara holds a MA in Spanish Literature from the University of Virginia and a BA in Spanish and Portuguese from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Languages: Fluent in Spanish, conversant in Portuguese – and always trying to learn more!
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Traveling the Guatemalan countryside by “chicken bus” to meet and interview Trust Bank clients. ¡Qué aventura!
Study Abroad: Mexico City exchange (age 15), Seville, Spain (age 19); Chile and Brazil (age 20-21); Salamanca, Spain (graduate study).
Mr. Cole Ritter
Cole is a native to Colorado. He is in his 6th year teaching 9th grade mathematics at DCIS at Montbello. During his time, he has been involved in planning a student trip to China and a student trip to Spain and France. He received a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Metro State University of Denver and a Master’s degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a teaching certification in Culturally and Linguistically Diverse learners. He believes that all students deserve an opportunity to learn about the world through first-hand experience.
Languages: Always learning more Spanish from my students
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Taking five students to Beijing, Xian, Chengdu, Shanghai and London, Italy and France in 2022.
Ms. Nina McGibney, Advisor
Ms. Nina McGibney is a life-long educator - instructional coach, mathematics specialist, and leadership grant recipient. She holds a BA in Education from Texas State University and an MED from the University of Houston (Math Education specialist).
Languages: English and Korean (beginner)
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: She and her husband adopted two children from Korea almost 36 years ago, and through this experience, she has continued to learn about and embrace the culture of the Korean people.
Ms. Arnetta Koger
Arnetta has had the pleasure of taking students on excursions and community service learning trips to NYC, Puerto Rico and Africa. She has been an educator for over twenty years. She holds a BS in Criminal Justice and an MA Education from Chicago State University and is pursuing her PhD in Education with a focus on Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Denver.
Languages: English and Spanish (beginner)
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Traveling to Africa with a group of DCIS Montbello students was enriching and an experience I’ll never forget. It really changed their world and mine too.
Ms. Dianne Criswell, Esq.
Dianne Criswell is legislative counsel for the Special Districts Association of Colorado and general counsel to the Colorado Special Districts Property Pool and the Colorado Firefighter Heart and Cancer Benefit Trust. After going to school and starting her legal and fiscal policy career out of state, Dianne returned to Colorado, where she was born and raised, to be closer to family. She lives in the Baker neighborhood with her family - and has a child at DCIS-Fairmont in the Spanish Immersion program.
Languages: English, French, German, Spanish (beginner)
Study Abroad: London and Berlin.
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Traveling to Nepal to visit friends, trekking in the mountains, and seeing temples in Kathmandu.
IN MEMORY: Mr. Dennis Gallagher
NOTE: As many of you already know our beloved board member Dennis Gallagher passed away on Friday, April 22, 2022.
Dennis was a legend in Denver and an honor to have on our board. He served in the city of Denver for 44 years, twelve of which he was City Auditor. He fulfilled what he called the “Athenian Oath” to make Denver a better place for all citizens. Dennis valued education and taught Greek and Latin as affiliated faculty at Regis University for many years. In retirement, Dennis honed his skills in Celtic-style calligraphy and was a steadfast linguist and intercultural enthusiasts. Dennis held a MA from Catholic University (Thesis: Cornish Medieval playwright Cornwall) and took advantage of endless classes since then at University of Denver and other institutions. CLICK HERE for the Two Shining Stars article (2021).
Languages: English. Classic Latin and Greek, Russian (conversant), Sanskrit (beginner), and Old Church Slavonic (beginner).
Favorite Educational Travel Experiences: Dennis has traveled extensively for pleasure and also with students over the years. For 20 years he and a friend took over 400 Regis University students to Ireland for educational study tours, including in-depth analysis of the Book of Kells at Trinity University in Dublin.
Ms. Anne Usman
Anne is a community leader and loves to surround herself with passionate and positive individuals – especially for a great cause. She and her family moved from Chicago, where she owned and operated a skincare boutique. She believes travel is important for young minds to grow. Among many reasons, it broads a child’s knowledge of the world, which will shape them into being more adept, informed and compassionate adults. Anne joined the board for all the right reasons and has given boundless energy to create remarkable events for our donors and students.
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Traveling with her husband and two girls who attend DCIS Baker and loving to learn and explore.
Anne’s board commitment ends in Sept 2021.
Ms. Gianina Horton, DCIS Alumni, Denver Justice Project
Gianina is the Executive Director of the Denver Justice Project and the DEI Specialist for the CU Anschutz Department of Family Medicine.
Gianina graduated from DCIS Baker in 2010 and Colorado College in 2014 where she majored in Political Science. Gianina is passionate about social justice and supporting work that promotes the liberation of BIPOC community members. Shi is an experienced Project Manager with a demonstrated history of working in the government administration industry. Gia is an expert in diversity, inclusion and equity practices, and approaches this work with a human-centric lens. Gianina received the Nina McGibney Alumni Award from DCIS Foundation in 2021.
Favorite Travel Experience: While at DCIS Gianina traveled to Peru on a service learning trip that included guiding blind participants through the complex terrain.
Languages: English and some Spanish
VOLUNTEER Team
The mighty VOLUNTEER TEAM acts as our informal “council of advisors”. They give advice, volunteer for events, share expertise, and act as liaisons with other partner organizations and local groups as needed in a manner that fits their schedule. They are not obligated to donate any specific amount and are not required to attend board meetings. They are leaders in the DCIS community. Interested in more information? dcisfoundation@gmail.com
Ms. Sally Bishop was the DCIS Baker Travel Director, 2x Mile High teacher award recipient, and board member of the Colorado Congress of Foreign Language Teachers.
For Sally, exploring other cultures and languages has been a life-long practice and passion. She was first introduced to other cultures early in life when her family hosted multiple exchange students and visitors from around the globe. As a teenager, she spent a month in New Zealand living with and learning from Maori tribe members. After a career in the cycling industry, Sally chose to go into to teaching. She taught French, ESL, and Italian at DCIS. This year marks the fifth exchange with northern and southern Italian high schools. Sally’s experiences living in and traveling to over 15 countries affirms her commitment to making opportunities available to all students no matter their financial or social background. Sally holds a BA in Romance Languages at Colorado College and an MA in Curriculum and Instruction.
Languages: Italian, French (fluent) and Spanish (intermediate)
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Taking first group of DCIS students with her to southern Italy and seeing their eyes pop and horizons broaden.
Study Abroad: home-stay near Milan (H.S. age 17), Italy; University semester abroad in Menton, France
Ms. Christine Ekman is a recently retired high-tech executive, philanthropy, activism, and community engagement are high on her to-do list. Her Father was in the Air Force and her mother was an adventurous Canadian who embraced her American citizenship and loved adventure. Christine moved frequently, seeing the U.S. from coast to coast in the way back of various station wagons and appreciating multiple culture experiences along the way. Work greatly expanded traveling into monthly globe-trotting excursions. After staying in many “business” hotels, Christine now values staying in residential homes with her family. Christine holds a BA is in Communications with post grad focus on Telecom Engineering both from CU Boulder.
Languages: English - and hello, thank you and please in many languages.
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: As with many of the DCIS students, travel was not something her family was able to provide during high school or college. That said, she has now traveled more than she could have imagined and it has enriched her life. She said, “I cannot recall a trip to another country when I didn’t learn about history, food, art or people. Every single trip!”
Ms. Claudia Morlan is a public relations and marketing consultant with experience managing communications for greenspace, land use, and water projects; higher education initiatives; and arts/entertainment programs. A strategist, she excels in managing relationships with strategic partners, stakeholders, and media with thoughtfulness and sensitivity to complicated issues. Her work and interests are in improving the lives of people and communities and recognizes the tremendous value of cultural exchanges and experiences that stretch your comfort zone. Claudia received her BA in Communications/PR from the University of Houston and is a past board member and longtime volunteer for the Public Relations Society of America-Colorado.
Languages: English
Favorite Educational Travel Experience: Claudia’s first international travel experience was in her 20s traveling to Guam solo for a work assignment. I learned so much about this tiny territory, its people, and myself on this trip.
Mr. Mario Romero is a graduate of CIS (West High School).
Mario Romero grew up in Denver and went to Lake Middle School and eventually found his way to West High School, where he met Dr. Dan Lutz and two of his best friends. While at DCIS (CIS) Mario participated with other students in model UN and competed against other schools. “This helped me learn about other cultures and stimulated my interest in learning and competition.” During his junior year of high school, Mario traveled to Moscow, Leningrad, and Vogelgrad, Russia with Bill Thomas to attend an ecology conference. Given the financial constraints of his family, Mario worked really hard to raise money to go on the trip and donations from others helped him make it happen. “It was such an important journey for me. Life changing. I remember playing soccer by the Don River with my new Russian friends and then going to their house for dinner. It was very humbling and this experience gave me incredible global insights.” Donors helped make it happen. This changed his life and led to extensive global travel and leadership roles with the organization Up with People (Communities of Peace). Mario is a leader in character education (Words Can Heal), mentoring, and music production. He recently graduated (as a Fellow) from the prestigious Latino Institute at the University of Denver.
Languages: Spanish and English (fluent)
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