A Legacy of Love and Learning: Honoring Carol L’Orange

Years after Carol L’Orange retired from teaching first grade at Superior Elementary, a former student spotted her in the aisles of King Soopers. Now a teenager, he approached hesitantly. “Ms. L’Orange, do you remember me?” he asked. Carol smiled and assured him she did. Their conversation was heartfelt and full of gratitude—a small moment that encapsulated the profound, lifelong impact she had on her students.

Even in retirement, Carol continued to encounter students and parents who credited her with transforming their lives. Her husband, Hans L’Orange, recalls one encounter in particular: A mother and her son approached her and shared how much her belief in him had meant. “Everyone else in preschool and kindergarten said he was a throwaway,” the mother said. “But you believed in him and worked with him. I wanted you to know that he finished high school, and now he’s attending Front Range Community College. We weren’t sure that would happen until he ended up in your class.”

Stories like these are why Hans has chosen to honor Carol’s memory through an annual donation to Impact on Education, the foundation supporting Boulder Valley School District (BVSD). Since her passing in 2017, Hans, now living in his homeland of Hawaii, has made it his mission to continue Carol’s work by funding opportunities for teachers and students in BVSD.

“Part of who Carol was can still live on,” Hans said. “She believed in every child, and she worked tirelessly to give them the confidence and skills they needed to succeed.”

Carol’s passion for teaching was evident in everything she did. From ensuring every student was reading at grade level by year’s end to creating unique lessons like baking cookies to teach fractions and teamwork, she infused joy and innovation into her classroom. “Some parents would complain about the cookies,” Hans said with a laugh. “But Carol would explain, ‘They’re learning math, science and how to work together—and they’re getting a reward.’”

Carol’s classroom was also a space of mutual respect. During the first two weeks of every school year, she focused on building an environment where her students—always addressed as “Miss” and “Mister”—learned to collaborate and thrive together. “A frequent start of the year joke would have other teachers saying, ‘Carol always gets the easy class,’” Hans said. “But she didn’t. She created a classroom that was easy because she spent time building respect and trust.”

Hans’s dedication to education also stems from his own career in public higher-education policy, where he focused on creating equitable opportunities for students across the country.

By donating to Impact on Education, Hans is ensuring that BVSD students and teachers can continue to benefit from the kind of meaningful learning experiences Carol championed. “Carol didn’t love being the center of attention,” Hans said. “She would want the focus to be on the kids and the opportunities they’ve been given.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Karen Brown’s commitment to fostering community support for students in Boulder Valley Schools

Karen Brown’s transition from the small, supportive town of Grand Lake, Colorado, to the bustling campus of the University of Colorado Boulder could have been overwhelming. But with the encouragement of her parents and a strong educational foundation, she thrived, shaping her belief in the transformative power of quality education and community support. Now, as a board member for Impact on Education, Brown champions these values, advocating for equitable, excellent public education for the students in Boulder Valley School District.

In many ways, Brown’s childhood was idyllic. As the daughter of small-business owners who ran a local motel, she spent her time in nature and developed a love of reading. “I was a bookworm,” she recalls fondly, “and the little town library above the fire station was my favorite place. I can still remember the smell.” In her small hometown—where some peers had never ventured to Denver—Brown attended a small junior/senior high school, where Mr. Schroer, a social studies teacher known for his rigorous focus on writing, prepared her well for the academic challenges ahead.

After high school, Brown enrolled at the University of Colorado at Boulder (CU). While some of her peers struggled to adjust to the academic challenge of college, Brown had a smooth transition. The support she received from her parents, along with her strong academic foundation, prepared her well for college and shaped her belief that all young people deserve similar support and resources. This conviction now drives her work in education advocacy.

After earning her degree and teaching license from CU, Brown taught for six years at Overland High School. When she moved to Louisville to raise her family, she stayed involved in public education as her children attended Boulder Valley Schools. Transitioning from education to the nonprofit sector, Brown continued to support young people through various roles at the YMCA of Boulder Valley, including grant administrator and director of summer camps.

Today, as a board member for Impact on Education, Brown is driven by a mission: to ensure every child in the Boulder Valley School District receives the kind of community support and quality education that shaped her own childhood. She highlights the organization’s innovative approach, funding ideas and programs that the school district may not be able to immediately support. “It’s an organization that isn’t afraid to experiment with potential solutions, and if it works, it can be scaled up by the district,” Brown said. “They pool community resources and fill gaps in a way that is game-changing.”

A passionate advocate for equity, she believes good, quality public education, whether in big cities or rural towns, can be a great equalizer. Two of her favorite Impact on Education initiatives are the Career Readiness Academy and KinderBridge, which help students build strong foundations and ensure equitable starts.

“You never know whose life will change when you cross paths,” Brown said. “One guest speaker, one interesting class, or access to the right technology or field trip can open up a student’s world.” For Brown, supporting Impact on Education is about creating those moments—small sparks that can ignite a lifetime of opportunity.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Impact on Education expands leadership with four new board members

We’re excited to introduce four new members to our Board of Directors. Joining us this year are Bob Gaddis, Senior Vice President and Market Manager at BOK Financial; Bianca Gallegos, Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships at Boulder Valley School District (BVSD);  and Emily Mears, Managing Director and Shareholder at Pathstone Family Office. David Stewart, Boulder Valley Education Association President, also joined the Board this year as an Ex-Officio member, replacing Patty Delgado as President of the teacher’s association. Their expertise and dedication to our mission will enhance our ability to support BVSD students and educators. 

Despite being a highly educated and prosperous state, Colorado public schools receive $3,000 less per student than the national average, ranking 40th in the nation for funding. In Boulder County, there is also a huge disparity in wealth that impacts our students and their families every day. Bob, Bianca, David, and Emily bring a wealth of experience from education, finance and community engagement, and they join us in ensuring BVSD students have access to an education that is both excellent and equitable.

Bob Gaddis

Senior Vice President and Market Manager
BOK Financial

Bob Gaddis has spent decades building a successful career in finance and giving back to the Boulder community. His expertise in nonprofit governance and financial management makes him an ideal fit for the role of Treasurer. Bob’s longstanding involvement includes leadership roles on the Boulder Valley YMCA Board and the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, where he has supported numerous community initiatives. His commitment to BVSD goes beyond his professional experience, as his family is deeply connected to the district—both his children are alumni.

Dr. Bianca Gallegos

Executive Director of Strategic Partnerships
Boulder Valley School District 

With over 21 years of experience in education, Dr. Bianca Gallegos specializes in student academic growth, bilingual education, and family and community partnerships. Throughout her career, she has held various roles in PK-12th grade administration and teaching and is known for her collaborative and student-centered leadership. Bianca is dedicated to advancing diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging across the district and overseeing the implementation of BVSD’s Grad+ framework which prepares students to graduate with more than a diploma. The GRAD+ Quadrants include College Credits Before Graduation, Industry Certifications, Seal of Biliteracy, Work-Based Learning . Her current role engages partners in this important work. A proud graduate of BVSD, Bianca attended its schools from kindergarten through 12th grade, following in the footsteps of her mother, who is a long-time educator in the district. Most recently, Bianca served as Principal at Columbine Elementary in Boulder, the same school she attended as a child.

Emily Mears

Managing Director and Shareholder
Pathstone Family Office

As a BVSD parent, Emily Mears is passionate about supporting students’ mental health and ensuring resources reach those in need. In her role as managing director and shareholder at Pathstone Family Office, Emily is a trusted advisor to entrepreneurs and their families — she and her team manage over $1 billion in client assets. By joining our board, Emily brings both her financial acumen and dedication to BVSD. She also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Community Foundation Boulder County and co-chairs its Investment Committee.

David Stewart

President
Boulder Valley Education Association

David Stewart has spent 30 years as an educator in BVSD.  As president of the Boulder Valley Education Association, his leadership is rooted in fostering collaboration and partnerships that make BVSD an exceptional district for both educators and families. In addition to his professional dedication, David is also a proud parent of three BVSD graduates, further deepening his connection to the Boulder Valley community.

We are thrilled to welcome these four new members as we continue to expand our impact and support for students and educators in BVSD.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Career Readiness Academy gives students skills to enter the workforce

Globalization and the COVID-19 pandemic triggered a new world of work that has only been exacerbated by AI, gig work and technological leaps. To succeed, students need flexible skills that will allow them to shift and grow in an ever-changing economy. Experts say in order to succeed, students need to start thinking about the world of work far earlier than previous generations. 

Colorado Governor Jared Polis agrees. “We have historically asked students to make choices about their careers after leaving high school, often without the appropriate data needed to identify industry-specific needs or what kind of return on investment a particular pathway will afford,” he said in an essay originally published as part of the 2023 “State of the American Student” report. “As the global economy rapidly evolves, we must rethink the way we educate students and our workforce.”

Empowering students with skills and resources

This is why we provide students access to an after-school program, the Career Readiness Academy, that embraces this fluid approach to career preparation. This year the program will be offered to 10th graders at Boulder High, Broomfield High and Centaurus High, and parts of the curriculum will also be available to students at Arapahoe Ridge. 

The program focuses on developing professional skills which are often not taught in school and may not be modeled at home.

Over the course of ten after-school workshops, students receive training and resources to empower them for successful lives after high school. This includes:

• Crafting a resume and developing other crucial professional skills 
• Practicing interviewing skills through mock interviews
• Learning about various career paths
• Practicing professional communication and soft skills 
• Building self-confidence and self-knowledge
• Accessing school resources to meet their future goals
• Learning how to advocate for help
• Receiving a $300 stipend for attending 80% of the workshops

Students in the program gain valuable insights into what employers look for while building the confidence needed to thrive. “A workshop that helped me a lot was the mock interviews,” said one program participant. “It was really scary leading up to the actual event, but when I sat down and did it, it felt surprisingly easy. It helped me boost my confidence a lot.”

Not your mom’s career path

According to a recent Earth Web poll, 75% of kids ages 6 to 17 want to be a YouTuber when they grow up. Adults might laugh, but students know that career options have changed and continue to do so.

The Career Readiness Academy supports students in exploring a variety of career paths before entering post-secondary education, empowering them to make informed choices and broadening their horizons. 

Tangible benefits for their futures

After participating in Career Readiness Academy, students felt much more confident about and prepared to enter the world of work. The number of participants who said they knew where to go to learn about job opportunities increased by 41%, and the number of those who knew how to learn about job opportunities increased by 32%. 

Ensuring they are prepared now, and in the future, students in the program learned how to obtain college and work opportunities while still in high school. 85% of students had met their counselor by the end of the program, up 20%. 88% had a current resume, an increase of 69%

“I feel more prepared and want to get a job a lot sooner,” said a program participant. “I feel more at peace being able to say, ‘I’ll figure this out.’ I feel more prepared for the future and less stressed out about today.”

Whether they are becoming a YouTuber, a firefighter or some career that has yet to be invented, Impact on Education knows that empowering students with confidence and professional soft skills will always be a good investment.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

The transformational power of learning

Board member Ann Cooper’s commitment to public education

Born and raised in Washington, Georgia—a small town of about 5,000 people—Impact on Education board member Ann Cooper grew up facing the challenges of poverty, a segregated school system and limited opportunities. Thanks to the encouragement of several teachers, but two particular ones, Ann defied the odds, traveled the world, grew a successful business and has become a passionate advocate for quality public education for all students.

Born in 1956, the odds were stacked against Ann and her sisters. “We lived in public housing, and before that, in a home without plumbing or running water,” she said. “My mom was one of the kindest people you’ll ever meet in your whole life and she taught us to help people,” said Ann. “But the reality is she became a parent at 14 years old and didn’t have a lot of choices in life.” 

Despite these hardships, two exceptional teachers and a loving, caring community, expanded Ann’s world and nurtured her potential.

Her faith in my abilities motivated me to work incredibly hard throughout my school career and I graduated at 16 years old.

Ann was five years old when she met the first teacher that would impact her life. At the time, Washington’s schools were segregated, and Black children didn’t have a kindergarten but her mother worked and Ann needed to go somewhere during the day. Her mother’s friend, Ms. Gunby, who taught first grade at the local Black elementary school, allowed Ann to sit in her classroom while she taught. Despite being younger and having no prior schooling, Ann quickly absorbed the lessons. By the end of the year, Ms. Gunby confidently advanced her to second grade.

“Ms. Gunby believed in me,” Ann says. “Her faith in my abilities motivated me to work incredibly hard throughout my school career and I graduated at 16 years old. I knew how much she loved me and I wanted to make her proud”

When she was a high school junior, Washington schools were integrated and Ann attended a new high school. It was there where she found another mentor who would leave an indelible mark on her life—Ms. Bolton Lunceford. A tall, striking woman with red hair and a penchant for pencil skirts and long cigarette holders, Ms. Lunceford had traveled the world and shared her experiences with her students, sparking Ann’s desire to explore beyond her small town.

“Ms. Lunceford taught me how to shake hands and make eye contact—skills I use to this day,” Ann remembers. “I think she would be proud to know that her influence led me to travel the world, and marry an Englishman.” 

Armed with the education and confidence instilled in her by Ms. Gunby and Ms. Lunceford, and others, Ann left Washington, Georgia after graduating from high school. She moved to Chicago, then Wisconsin, where she met her husband Geoff, and later to Scotland before settling in Boulder, Colorado. 

Looking to help bridge the gap between students’ needs and the resources available, Ann joined the Impact on Education board of directors.

Now a successful realtor, Ann sees the high cost of living in her community every day. In Boulder Valley School District, 7,000 students qualify for the free or reduced price lunch program, with their family living on $58,000 per year or less — a sharp contrast to the area’s perceived affluence. Ann also knows there’s also fewer resources to go around. Despite Boulder’s hot real estate market, higher property taxes as a result of rising home values don’t provide extra funding for public education.

Looking to help bridge the gap between students’ needs and the resources available, Ann joined the Impact on Education board of directors five years ago to support its work to ensure all students receive an education that is excellent and equitable. As a board member, she draws on her own experiences to help every child thrive, regardless of their background.

“In Boulder County, we have the nation’s most educated community, but there is still a huge disparity in wealth that affects our students every day,” Ann says. “Public education is the great equalizer, and organizations like Impact on Education ensure that every student has a chance to succeed.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

This after-school reading club helps emerging bilingual students

Thank you to the Arly Kruse Educational Foundation for funding this impactful grant!

Over the past few years Jessica Grant Van Lankvelt, a literacy interventionist at Alicia Sanchez Elementary School, noticed many students who are emerging bilingual did not have opportunities to practice reading in English. Sometimes parents are literate in different languages or they work evening hours which makes them unavailable to support their student’s literacy during the week.

This can make it hard for these students to progress in their English literacy skills as quickly as their monolingual English peers.

Jessica Grant Van Lankvelt
Literacy Interventionist at Alicia Sanchez Elementary School

Jessica wanted to level the playing field and provide these students opportunities to grow as readers. She received an Academic Opportunity Fund grant from Impact on Education to start an after-school reading club to support these students. The grant funding allows the school to pay staff to run the program.

How does the reading club work?

17 emerging bilingual students in 1st through 3rd grades participate in the Reading Club program after school. Each week students practice reading and listening with program volunteers. Over 20 volunteers – both students from Peak to Peak Charter School and adults from the community – support the program.

Reading Club provides students with opportunities to practice reading in English. They also get to practice newly learned literacy skills with volunteers who can give immediate, corrective feedback. Volunteers also read books of the students’ choice to them, helping their oral language and vocabulary, which are necessary for reading comprehension. Both the acts of practicing reading and listening to proficient readers read aloud are important for growing strong readers.

I just love the energy of the students and watching how they gain competency over time. And I enjoy building relationships with them through reading, which is something I personally love to do.

Nancy L., Reading Club Volunteer

Empowering young students

At the end of the school year Jessica will be able to see the progress these students have made on their school assessments. But in just a few weeks they’ve already seen some students build stronger accuracy and fluency. “Students feel empowered and like they are part of a team,” she says. “And their parents have been very supportive and encouraged by the extra help given to their students.”

I have noticed that my child has made a lot of progress and she has more retention in her reading.

Parent of Reading Club participant at Alicia Sanchez Elementary

This weekly program allows struggling readers to experience the joy of books and learn about the world around them. Students also see how their practice with volunteers is helping to build their reading skills, building confidence in their reading.

Engaging students in learning 

Our Academic Opportunity Fund provides educators and schools with the resources they need to bridge the opportunity gap. 

We offered two rounds of funding during the 2023-24 school year and awarded $154,680 across 141 grants.

From tutoring and equipment to field trip fees and newcomer student support, these grants expand access to resources and opportunities for BVSD students. Supporters like you allow us to provide these impactful grants to educators across the district, making a difference in students’ lives. 

You can help by making a gift to support our work or becoming an Impact on Education volunteer and helping review grant applications like Jessica’s next year!

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

How mock interviews support career readiness for high schoolers

For students in our Career Readiness Academy, mock interviews are more than just a practice run – they’re a safe space to explore their potential, polish their skills and practice professional communication.

In today’s fast-paced world where first impressions can make or break opportunities, these workshops help students build confidence and prepare for real-world challenges ahead. They also offer a unique opportunity for volunteers to engage with the next generation, sharing their expertise and learning in the process.

Thank you to all of our volunteers! These workshops rely on people like you donating your time and talent. We appreciate you, and so do these students!

More workshop photos can be found at the end of this story.

The mock interview experience

Participating in mock interviews can be a transformative experience for students. It’s during these three 7-minute interviews that they learn the subtle art of making eye contact, the importance of speaking confidently about their achievements, and how to navigate common interview questions.

I loved the workshop, as it progressed I gained confidence and it became much easier.

– Laura M., BVSD student

Students often start the workshop with a mix of excitement and nervousness, but as they engage in simulated interviews, receive feedback, and observe their peers, a profound change occurs. They leave the workshop not just with enhanced interview skills, but a newfound confidence in their ability to communicate their ideas and aspirations.

I really liked how many different interviewers there were to get multiple perspectives. 

– Henry D., BVSD Student

Our workshop volunteers bring diverse professional backgrounds to the experience and also find the workshops to be rewarding. Volunteers witness firsthand the eagerness and potential of the students and get to provide constructive feedback and share insights from their own experiences. The workshops are a reminder of the diverse paths to success and the importance of guidance and encouragement in shaping young careers.

Laying the groundwork for success

Mock interviews are just one of 10 workshops that make up the Career Readiness Academy, helping ensure students are adequately prepared for the interviews. Before this workshop students have explored their purpose and passions, learned about possible careers and BVSD opportunities that can support them, and practiced professional communication and interview skills.

One of the most important steps students take during the Career Readiness Academy is creating a resume. 

[I was surprised] how much they progressed from the first round to the third round of interviews. And how well prepared their resumes were!

– Erika W., Mock Interview Volunteer

Learning how to highlight their skills, experiences and achievements prepares them for the immediate task of presenting themselves professionally, but also instills a sense of confidence and self-awareness. 

More than just interview skills

For students these workshops extend beyond the goal of improving interview skills – the feedback and process often sparks self-reflection and personal growth. They also serve as a platform for networking, allowing students to connect with professionals who can offer guidance, mentorship, and sometimes even opportunities for internships or jobs.

The experience was eye-opening around what I thought I knew about teenagers. It was positive and exciting to learn more about IOE, and the volunteer team was energized, positive, and varied, which was great to experience and be part of.

– Emily T., Mock Interview Volunteer

[I enjoyed] the variety and the opportunity to speak to the kids. I never find myself interacting with students in that age group so it was a lovely step out of my norm.

– Kyle A., Mock Interview Volunteer

For volunteers the experience is equally enriching. Engaging with students allows them to give back to the community in a meaningful way, sharing their knowledge and experiences to help shape the workforce of tomorrow. It also offers them a fresh perspective on the challenges and aspirations of this younger generation.

A foundation for future success

Mock interview workshops show the value of practical, experiential learning.They underscore the importance of preparation, practice, and feedback in finding professional success, and offer both students and volunteers an invaluable experience that resonates long after the interviews are over.

Hearing the students describe what they learned from the interviews was the best part!

– Erika W., Mock Interview Volunteer

Through all of the Career Readiness Academy workshops, the journey of career exploration and personal growth goes hand in hand, laying a solid foundation for future success.

Photo Gallery

Click on any photo below to enlarge.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Daily acts of impact: Board member Ema Lyman’s 24-year career empowering BVSD youth

By Alison Meyer

After dedicating 24 years to serving the young people of Boulder Valley School District (BVSD), Ema Lyman isn’t interested in measuring the broad achievements of her career. Instead, she prefers to focus on the impact she makes each day. “I help where I can. I smile a lot and if I get a smile back, I’ve succeeded. I don’t need to know if my students will grow into success stories — my work is unconditional.”

Lyman, a McKinney Vento specialist and child welfare liaison, provides support to students experiencing housing instability and those in the foster care system. She is also a member of the Impact on Education Board of Directors. 

Born and raised in Santiago, Chile, Lyman grew up in a family that deeply valued education.

“My parents instilled in me that education was more important than anything,” she said. “Education for the sake of being educated, not for the sake of advancing in status or society, getting a wonderful job or being famous.”

While attending an all-girls Catholic school taught by American and Italian nuns, Lyman, who is no longer affiliated with a religion, learned the value of helping others. “To the nuns it wasn’t important to go to mass or confession,” she said. “The important thing was to feed the family down the street. I was very fortunate because they taught me civic duty and social support.”

New culture, same commitment

After finishing high school, Lyman began studying architecture. Around that time, her father’s company transferred him to an office in Denver, Colorado, and the entire family moved with him. Lyman finished college at the University of Colorado at Boulder, earning an environmental design and planning degree.

Soon after graduation, Lyman got married and had three children. “I was able to be a stay-at-home mom, which is what I always wanted,” she shared. Curious about her children’s experience in a North American school, Lyman became an active volunteer with BVSD. As she volunteered, Lyman started to notice demographic changes in the district.

“There were many more children of color and second language speakers, and the support for them wasn’t there.”

That first-hand experience would stick with Lyman and eventually bring her back to the school district. As her children grew older, Lyman went to work as an interior designer. After a ten-year career, Lyman couldn’t deny her desire to do something about the disparity she saw between schools and her clients. “I learned how much money this state, city and this country has,” she said. “I knew that it was imperative to channel all that into something that would better the community and society in general.”

Officially an educator

Taking action on everything she had learned so far, Lyman applied for a job with BVSD and was immediately hired. Initially, she worked in the Office of Open Enrollment and then as a community liaison and a language assessor. In her 50s, wanting to know more about how to help English learners, Lyman returned to school again. She earned her master’s degree in multicultural and English-as-a-second language education. 

Through her work in the schools Lyman learned about Impact on Education, eventually joining their board.

“It was a natural marriage for me to volunteer with them because I was already very involved and aware of everything they do and provide to our community.”

As someone who has worked directly with the recipients of Impact on Education’s support, Lyman knows firsthand the critical role the foundation plays in Boulder Valley schools. 

Through her approach to taking each day as an opportunity to give, Lyman has spent a lifetime dedicated to empowering young people through education. “To gain a measure of immortality and success in life is to enable and guide the next generation, whether they’re your children or not. It was a message given to me by the nuns whom I loved so dearly and I still believe it.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Impact on Education welcomes three new board members

Today we extend a warm and enthusiastic welcome to three exceptional individuals who recently joined our Board of Directors. The new additions include Amy Pickens, BVSD’s Director of Equity & Community Engagement; Bill De La Cruz, an inclusion and belonging facilitator; and Dan Konigsberg, an entrepreneur and CEO. Their wealth of experience and dedication to our mission will bring fresh perspectives and renewed energy to our work.

The board also elected a new executive committee, naming Karen Brown, board chair; Cathleen Kendall, vice chair; Karen Kruse, treasurer; and Callie Weiant, secretary. We’re also grateful to our outgoing board chair David Ziegert.

Our Board of Directors is key to expanding our ability to engage BVSD students and empower BVSD educators. And these new members are joining us at an exciting time in our organization’s growth.

Amy Pickens 

Director of Equity & Community Engagement
Boulder Valley School District

Amy has over 20 years of experience in education both in the United States and abroad. With her position as Director of Equity and Community Engagement, she supports schools and leaders with equity-focused school improvement and developing authentic partnerships with families and the community.

Amy has a passion for student voice, particularly bringing student voice into equity work. She co-founded the BVSD Youth Equity Council as part of her dissertation for the doctorate in education she earned in 2022. Amy also leads the BVSD Equity council and has served on multiple committees both within the school system and in the communities she’s lived in.  Her involvement in volunteer work, youth organizing, speaking engagements, and research shows her dedication and passion for social justice and equity. Amy is also a BVSD parent and lives in Broomfield.

Learn more about Amy in this recent spotlight article.

Bill De La Cruz

Inclusion and Belonging Facilitator
De La Cruz Solutions 

Bill is an author, facilitator and thought leader who offers facilitation, keynotes and workshops to support individuals and teams in building self-sustaining personal change processes. Bill’s books Finding The Origination Point, Understanding Our Biases to Create a More Peaceful World and Flipping Failure, A Blueprint for Self-Growth and Transformation were written to enhance the personal change process. Bill’s processes support the  creation of personal development and organizational belonging  that drives sustainable systemic change.

As a former board member and Board President for Boulder Valley Schools and the former Director of Equity and Inclusion for Denver public schools Bill has a vast knowledge about educational systems. Having served on the Board of Directors for Parent Engagement Network, the Boulder Chamber of Commerce, and as an original reader of Reading to End Racism, Bill has vast Board experience in Boulder county communities and expertise in adapting systems. Bill has 4 grown children who went through the Boulder Valley schools and lives in Erie. 

Dan Konigsberg

CEO
Campminder

Dan is an experienced entrepreneur with 22 years of experience bootstrapping Campminder, a successful technology company that streamlines operations in the summer camp industry. He is personally devoted to diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging and wants to raise more awareness about these important issues. He has gained skills of facilitation, mentorship, and strategy that will allow him to succeed as a board member. Dan is also a BVSD parent and lives in Boulder.

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Board Chair David Ziegert Grateful To Be Part Of Impact On Education’s Evolution

‘We need to be proactive in driving toward change’

By Shay Castle

David Ziegert always intended to be a high school math teacher. But his nighttime job at Celestial Seasonings — taken to pay for classes at the University of Colorado — turned into a career. Ziegert was with the Boulder-based tea company for 22 years, eventually becoming general manager.

Despite the change of course, Ziegert never completely gave up on his first dream.

“When I chose to advance my career at Celestial,” he said, “it was always with the thought that when I turned 50 or 55, I could still be a high school math teacher.”

Though not in the way he expected, Ziegert did find his way back to education. In 2019 — now an operating partner at Boulder-based Sunrise Strategic Partners — he joined the board of Impact on Education. 

“It’s been an amazing experience,” he said. “It allows me to feel I’m having an impact in the lives of students.”

At Sunrise, Ziegert helps organizations navigate growth or “evolutions.” That skillset has come in handy during his four years on the board, a time of almost constant adjustment.

His tenure was marked first by the worldwide disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic, and then the local devastation of the Marshall Fire. Impact on Education took an active role in both, helping to provide meals, transportation vouchers, child care and internet access as well as mental health and trauma support.

Impact on Education went from an organization that people “had heard of but really didn’t know what they did” to one intimately involved in families’ lives. 

“I remember being at the Louisville Street Faire last year and talking to people (who said) ‘You were the ones who helped me when we were displaced by the Marshall Fire, you helped me with transportation because we had to live in Broomfield.’ 

“It’s amazing to be able to say I was, in a way, part of that.”

He gives most of the credit to Impact on Education’s executive team, and BVSD superintendent Rob Anderson. 

“I’m so impressed with the leadership of Dr. Anderson (and) I can’t say enough about Allison (Billings, Impact on Education’s executive director) and the team,” Ziegert said. “The work they do each and every day, being champions and advocates for the kids… It’s very important to me to feel like I’m making a difference. The work I do with Impact on Education scratches that itch for me.”

Ziegert is particularly excited about Impact on Education’s work on mental health, particularly the funding of wellness centers in several schools. The organization will invest $1.2 million of their $2.6 million budget on mental health in the 2023-2024 school year.

“Through my own kids’ experience (of) the hardship that they internalized as part of Marshall Fire, COVID, the current state of the state… I see that need,” he said. “Trying to help my children navigate through challenges of growing up and transitioning into an adult, regardless of how much money I wanted to spend, the mental health resources were not available.

“We’re not going to solve the whole thing, but the work Impact on Education is doing by funding those centers, I truly believe it’s going to have impacts that we will never see or hear or know about to really change the course for an entire generation of students.”

An enduring focus for Ziegert is closing BVSD’s large and persistent achievement gap that COVID exacerbated and exposed. Ziegert believes Impact on Education can play a role in raising awareness, the first step to finding solutions. His time on the board elevated his own awareness, for which he is extremely grateful. 

“My work with Impact on Education really opened my eyes to some of the inequities, that not everyone has the same opportunities available to them,” he said. “It’s not enough for me to maintain my status quo: We need to be very proactive in driving toward that change and filling the gaps that lead to inequitable opportunities. 

“It’s great hearing perspectives that I wouldn’t necessarily have exposure to. There are pieces that will be part of my thinking going forward.”

BEFORE YOU GO

Impact on Education is an independent non-profit supporting the Boulder Valley School District. We depend on the generosity of our community to put our mission into action.

Will you help us provide opportunities and resources to local students?

Connect with Us