Andrea Albo is a seventh-generation Colorado native with more than 27 years of public service leadership experience focused on policy reform, organizational improvement and strengthening employee and community experiences. She joined SCFD in 2025 after serving in leadership roles at Denver International Airport, the Denver Sheriff Department and Denver Human Services. A graduate of CU Denver and Harvard Kennedy School, Andrea serves on several community boards, including Denver Preschool Program, Visit Denver and CU Denver’s EMBA Curriculum Advisory Board. 

Lee Ann Benavidez is Senior Vice President and Chief Sales & Services Officer at VISIT DENVER, leading convention sales and destination services. With more than 25 years of hospitality experience, including leadership roles with Hyatt Hotels and MGM Resorts International, she brings expertise spanning destination marketing, hotel sales, luxury hospitality, third-party commerce and group business strategy. Her work focuses on understanding meeting planners’ needs and advancing business events marketing that speaks directly to buyer priorities and destination expectations. 

Bob Behnken is Vice President of Exploration, Product and Technology Strategy at Lockheed Martin and a former NASA astronaut. Selected as an astronaut in 2000, Behnken is a veteran of three spaceflights, including Space Shuttle missions STS-123 and STS-130 and the first crewed SpaceX Crew Dragon flight, Demo-2. A Missouri native, he spent 93 days in space and completed 10 spacewalks totaling more than 61 hours. Behnken holds advanced degrees in engineering from Caltech. 

Shaun Brog specializes in economic analysis for the Metro Denver region, focusing on economic and workforce trends, industry clusters, economic impact analysis and regional profiles. Born in Michigan and raised in Colorado, he holds a B.S. in Business Administration and an M.A. in Economics from the University of Denver, where he received the Satish Raichur Award. Before joining MDEDC, Shaun worked in finance at Morgan Stanley and Brevan Howard. He is also an active economic researcher and published academic author. 

Brian Dreher is Assistant Director of the Terrestrial Wildlife Branch at Colorado Parks and Wildlife. A Colorado native, he earned a B.S. in Wildlife Biology from Colorado State University and an M.S. in Wildlife Biology from Michigan State University. Brian began his career as a wildlife biologist in Colorado Springs in 2004, became a Senior Wildlife Biologist in 2007 and began overseeing the Terrestrial Section in 2019. Outside work, he enjoys hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and spending time with his wife and two children. 

Verónica Figoli is Executive Vice President and Chief Development Officer at Accion Opportunity Fund, the nation’s largest nonprofit lender to small businesses. She has more than 20 years of experience in leadership, strategic planning, community engagement and partnership building. Previously, Figoli spent nearly a decade with Denver Public Schools, leading the Office of Family and Community Engagement and the DPS Foundation. She serves on the boards of Denver Botanic Gardens, the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School and Mile High United Way. 

Kate Greco Fritz is Executive Director of the Denver Mountain Parks Foundation, where she leads efforts to preserve, restore and advance equitable access to Denver’s historic Mountain Parks system. A critical thinker and engaged community leader, Kate focuses on ensuring the parks remain vibrant recreational, educational and open-space resources for residents, neighbors and visitors. Her work is grounded in building lasting relationships through trust, collaboration and effective communication while advocating for the long-term preservation and relevance of Denver’s Mountain Parks. 

Ray Gonzales brings more than 25 years of leadership experience spanning government administration, economic development and regional collaboration. He leads the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, uniting nearly 70 cities, counties and economic development organizations to advance economic prosperity across the region. A passionate advocate for innovation, workplace culture and community impact, Ray also serves as Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber and holds leadership roles with ICMA, the Local Government Hispanic Network and SCFD. 

Julie Henry is an award-winning, best-selling author, speaker, and leadership expert who draws on decades of experience working alongside animals at organizations including Shedd Aquarium, Cincinnati Zoo, Mote Marine Laboratory, and Busch Gardens. Her book, Wisdom from the Wild, has inspired leaders across more than 40 industries, 34 states, and six countries. Julie empowers audiences to lead with resilience, embrace change, and unlock their potential by applying lessons from the animal kingdom to leadership and life. 

Sam Hinkle is Rocky Mountain Development and Engagement Manager for Trout Unlimited, where he engages donors in supporting local watersheds and trout species. He holds a degree in chemistry and has more than a decade of experience in conservation fundraising and outreach, including roles in youth outdoor education, soil health and trail building. Sam is passionate about connecting people to conservation through meaningful outdoor experiences. Outside work, he enjoys fishing, teaching fly fishing and playing Dungeons & Dragons. 

Derrick Hinton is a Denver-based community leader, advocate and relationship builder focused on connecting institutions with the communities they serve. As Director of Health and Wellbeing at Cleo Parker Robinson Dance, he leads initiatives at the intersection of arts, culture, youth development, civic engagement, health and community wellbeing. A graduate of Bowie State University with a bachelor’s degree in biology, Derrick also serves with the NAACP, supporting youth and college engagement and expanding opportunities for the next generation of leaders. 

Neelima Joshi is an entrepreneur, investor, community leader and philanthropist with extensive experience in corporate finance, investment banking, business development and capital raising. She currently manages her family office, focusing on investments, and is an investor and co-owner of professional sports teams. She also invests in and advises several startup ventures. Active in the Denver community, Neelima serves on several boards and councils and brings a broad perspective shaped by finance, entrepreneurship, leadership and philanthropy. 

Robin Keith is Chief Executive Officer of EcoLeaders and is passionate about facilitating transformative organizational change. She previously led the Vision, Innovation and Strategy team at San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. Keith brings extensive expertise in strategic planning, change management, leadership development and strategy implementation. She is pursuing a doctorate in Nonprofit and Philanthropic Leadership at the University of San Diego and serves on the boards of the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum and Sparrow Academy Charter School. 

Jade Keomanivong is a community-driven leader and advocate, with a particular focus on first-generation and non-traditional students. From serving as her elementary school student council president to coaching the University of Colorado Denver dragon boat team, she has championed her peers and mentees throughout her leadership journey. A graduate of the University of Denver with a bachelor’s degree in business management, Jade currently supports Type 1 diabetes research at CU Anschutz and volunteers with Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance as a pathology assistant while pursuing veterinary school. 

Kathayoon Khalil, Ph.D. is Senior Vice President of Conservation, Education and Sustainability for the Columbus Zoo Family of Parks. A wildlife conservation professional, she focuses on the human dimensions of conservation, including environmental education, conservation psychology and pro-environmental behavior. Her experience spans zoos, aquariums and museums, where she has explored innovative approaches to evaluating visitor learning and engagement. Khalil is also a frequent public speaker on empathy, conservation psychology and the human connection to wildlife. 

Ben Moline is Director of Water Resources and Environmental Policy for Molson Coors Beverage Company, where he oversees water rights, water quality, environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives. He has extensive experience managing watershed and reclamation projects and working with federal, state and local agencies. A licensed professional engineer in Colorado and California, Ben holds a civil engineering degree from the University of Iowa. He is an avid biker, skier and climber. 

Daniel Nichols is a real estate professional with experience spanning commercial brokerage, investment analysis, development, and hospitality. He began his career at NAI Shames Makovsky before joining the Nichols Partnership in 2018, where he worked on major Denver developments. In 2019, he relocated to California to support the development of Stanly Ranch Resort in Napa while overseeing Immortal Estate vineyard and expanding the Immortal wine label nationally and internationally. Daniel holds degrees from the University of Colorado Boulder and Denison 
University. 

Amy Pastor brings more than 20 years of experience in green building certification, energy modeling, commissioning, retro-commissioning, energy audits and energy services. During her career at EXP, she has contributed to more than 215 LEED-certified projects and led a national team of commissioning, sustainable design and energy modeling experts. Amy also leads EXP’s annual Sustainability and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, which she has overseen since its inception in 2022. 

Rita Peterson is a visionary entrepreneur and leader in the National Security, Defense, Intelligence, and Space industries. For nearly two decades, she has led Caribou Thunder, a small business delivering mission-critical solutions, technical expertise, and innovative strategies to complex national security challenges. Driven by resilience, strategic foresight, and a commitment to excellence, Rita champions economic empowerment, opportunity creation, and inclusive pathways to success while advancing cutting-edge capabilities for the nation and the communities she serves. 

Gloria Price is Executive Director of the Schlessman Family Foundation, where she leads the foundation’s philanthropic strategy and community engagement. She brings more than 20 years of experience in nonprofit fundraising, strategic planning and philanthropy. Price has served in leadership and board roles with organizations including the Colorado Planned Giving Roundtable, Step Denver and the Scleroderma Foundation Rocky Mountain Chapter. Her work focuses on strengthening communities through thoughtful philanthropy, strategic partnerships and meaningful nonprofit impact. 

Rosemary Rodriguez is founder and Executive Director of Together We Count, a nonprofit advocating for fair representation in the national census. A longtime civic and community leader, she has served as State Director for U.S. Senator Michael Bennet, a Denver Public Schools board member, Denver City Council president, Denver Clerk and Recorder, and commissioner and chair of the U.S. Election Assistance Commission. A Colorado native, Rodriguez co-founded the Colorado Hispanic League and founded Cafecito, a network of more than 800 Latina professionals. 

Patty Salazar is Executive Director of the Colorado Department of Regulatory Agencies (DORA), appointed by Governor Jared Polis in 2019. She leads the state’s umbrella regulatory and consumer protection agency, overseeing more than 50 industries, nearly 700 employees and more than 40 boards and commissions. With more than 20 years of legislative and regulatory experience, Patty previously held executive roles at DORA and California’s Department of Business Oversight. She holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Southern 
California. 

Dr. Charles Scoggin is Board Chair of Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance and brings decades of experience spanning medicine, biotechnology, corporate leadership and nonprofit governance. Board certified in Internal Medicine and Pulmonary Medicine, he has served as a Professor of Medicine and as CEO and co-founder of Sagemed, Inc., along with other biotechnology and medical technology companies. Dr. Scoggin has also served on the boards of public and private companies and nonprofit institutions and is an accomplished writer. 

Gloria Schoch is Executive Director of The VF Foundation and Director of Global Impact at VF Corporation, a global leader in apparel and footwear. She oversees the Foundation’s strategic vision and philanthropic efforts focused on environmental justice, conservation, education and workforce development. Active in the community, Gloria serves on several civic and nonprofit boards, including as board chair of the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado. She holds degrees in anthropology, business and public administration from the University of Colorado. 

Kevin Shuler is Founder and CEO of Quandary Consulting Group, established in 2015 to help high-growth organizations transform their operations. He leads the development of scalable low-code solutions, intelligent automation and integrated systems, with a focus on artificial intelligence, data orchestration and emerging technologies. A champion of collaborative innovation, Kevin helps organizations bridge traditional IT and citizen development. Outside work, he is training for his second Ironman, is a licensed private pilot and supports dog rescue initiatives. 

Bill Street is President and CEO of Zoo Knoxville, one of East Tennessee’s largest cultural institutions, welcoming nearly 600,000 guests annually. With nearly 35 years of experience across the zoological, conservation, education, nonprofit and attractions sectors, he previously served as Senior Vice President at the Indianapolis Zoo, where he founded the Global Center for Species Survival. Earlier, he held leadership roles with SeaWorld Parks & Entertainment, the National Wildlife Federation, John G. Shedd Aquarium and Aquarium of the Pacific. 

Sarah Wolfe is a Senior Economist and Strategist at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, covering macroeconomic and thematic investing. Previously, she spent five years on Morgan Stanley’s U.S. Economics Research team. She holds a BA in International Studies and Economics from Johns Hopkins University and an MA in International Economics from the Johns Hopkins School of Advanced International Studies, where she worked at the World Bank. Wolfe is also a visiting lecturer at Johns Hopkins and serves on NABE committees. 

Keith Winsten is Executive Director of Brevard Zoo in Melbourne, Florida, bringing more than 30 years of leadership experience in nonprofit administration, communications, wildlife conservation and environmental education. A Yale University biology graduate with a master’s degree in public health from the University of Illinois Chicago, Winsten has held leadership roles at zoos and conservation organizations across the country. He is active in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and serves the Space Coast community through civic and tourism leadership. 

Allegra Rene “Happy” Haynes is a longtime Denver civic leader and public servant. A graduate of East High School, Barnard College, and the University of Colorado, she spent 26 years with the City of Denver, serving as an aide to Mayor Federico Peña, Denver City Council member (1990–2003), and Council President (1998–2000). She later held leadership roles with Denver Public Schools, Denver Parks & Recreation, and served on numerous nonprofit and conservation boards, including Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. A Denver native, Haynes lives in Park Hill and is an avid jazz enthusiast and gardener.

Marlon Reis is the First Gentleman of Colorado and a passionate advocate for the natural world. He works to raise awareness of the connections among people, animals and the environment, with a particular focus on animal protection, climate change and biodiversity loss. As a sustainability advocate, he promotes recycling and Zero Waste policies that seek to reduce the environmental impacts of human activity. Outside of his work, Marlon enjoys nature documentaries, creative writing and visiting animal sanctuaries.

Jennifer Bonicelli is an educator, instructional leader and published author with a passion for designing meaningful learning experiences. Her work in elementary education focused on standards-aligned instruction, supporting diverse learners and helping teachers strengthen instructional practices. Through her writing and educational resource platform, Two Came True, Jennifer translates complex research and real-world challenges into clear, accessible guidance for families. She is particularly interested in curriculum development, literacy instruction, educational content creation and effective communication.