With progressive increases in responsibility and proficiency, Courtney has devoted her career to raising philanthropic dollars to create community change and ensure that all have access to the lives they deserve. Since joining Denver Health Foundation in December of 2018, Courtney has led a team of fundraising professionals who have raised more than $14.8 million for Denver Health projects and programs, a radical increase in funds raised for the healthcare system. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce recognized her leadership potential when they selected her to participate in the highly competitive Fall 2019 class of Impact Denver, the Chamber's leadership development program designed to put up-and-coming professionals on the fast track, learning about community issues and discovering their authentic leadership styles. Every project she has taken on–whether she was assigned to it, or volunteered–has exceeded expectations. As a manager, she has maintained this focus on superior results while ensuring a strong team culture and individually-tailored development plans. Her ambition to serve in a leadership capacity is matched by her ability to deliver in those roles. In her four-year tenure with Denver Health, she has been promoted three times, most recently in April 2023 to a leadership role that will allow her to develop her skills in systems and operations management, positioning her even more strongly for executive leadership.
I had been working in grassroots organizations as a Development Director in Kansas City and wanted to make a broader impact. My husband and I love the city of Denver, and when we decided to make it our home, I gathered my courage and made the leap to serve at Denver Health Foundation as their grants administrator. Since then, I've served in leadership roles in many of the foundation's functions and have loved every minute.
My life's mission is to ensure organizations working to create significant social benefit receive the funding they need to sustain generational change. In my experience, safety-net healthcare organizations are among those making the most significant impact in communities most vulnerable to social disparities. It is my honor to serve healthcare organizations through the philanthropic sector.
A crucial point in my career journey was realizing my life's mission. I noticed that my passion for social justice only increased as I gained more experience and knowledge in the field, and I knew I needed to always spend my time and energy on that which aligns with my values. Through philanthropy, I have found my life's purpose!
My greatest passion is seeking and promoting social justice and equity. Nothing brings me more joy than thinking about how the world can change for the better through the collaborative work of our communities.
Be a sponge! Get interested in what healthcare teams are doing for their patients and communities. Go out to visit and see the work with your own eyes, and listen to the patient stories. No matter what function you serve in healthcare philanthropy, having deep, rich knowledge of the work and the impact is invaluable.
As a kid, I spent my summers on a hot air balloon crew! I was the person who navigated streets and maps (we had paper ones back then!) to "chase" the balloon and meet it where it landed.