News Articles

CONTACT:
Dorothy Horrell
Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
303-825-3774
dorothy@bonfils-stanton.org

(Denver, CO – May 11, 2011) The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation announced its seventh class of the prestigious Livingston Fellowship awards. The 2011 class of Livingston Fellows includes Garrett Ammon, Ballet Nouveau Colorado; Anthony Garcia, Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center; Alyssa Kopf, Community Shares of Colorado; Lisa Merlino, Invest in Kids; and Mike Yankovich, Children’s Museum of Denver.

Livingston Fellows receive awards of $20,000 to enhance their leadership skills and an additional $5,000 supports related development activities. Since 2005, the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation has funded 35 nonprofit executive fellowships. The fellowship experiences have included seminars at leading universities, visits to nationwide best-practice sites, mentoring with thought leaders, and executive coaching. Fellows from previous years will serve as mentors to the 2011 class, creating a growing network of inspired leaders to strengthen Colorado’s nonprofit community.

Chairman J. Landis Martin announced the awards at the Foundation’s 26th Annual Awards Luncheon. “The Foundation recognizes the significant impact nonprofit organizations make on our community and our state,” noted Martin. “Our investment in high-potential leaders through the Livingston Fellowship Program is building a network of people finding fresh solutions and proving themselves as innovators and change agents.”

This year’s fellows were nominated by a panel of Colorado community leaders, interviewed by an independent consultant, and reviewed and approved by the Board of Trustees. They were selected on the basis of exceptional leadership qualities, potential for significant contribution to the nonprofit sector, and the ability to be a role model for other Colorado nonprofit leaders.

The fellowship awards carry the name of Johnston R. Livingston (1923-2008), who served as a Trustee of the Foundation from 1979 to 2008. Livingston chaired the Foundation’s Board of Trustees from 2000 until 2005. His career included management positions at Honeywell and Whirlpool as well as the start-up of two manufacturing companies. He was an active volunteer and board member for various nonprofit organizations including the World Trade Center Denver, Denver Symphony Orchestra, and the Institute of International Education—Rocky Mountain Region.

About the 2011 Livingston Fellows

Garrett Ammon, Artistic Director
Ballet Nouveau Colorado

Garrett Ammon began his tenure as Artistic Director of Ballet Nouveau Colorado in 2007. Since that time, BNC has garnered national attention and praise for its innovative work. He has forged partnerships and collaborative works with a wide variety of artists and cultural organizations. Garrett received his early ballet training with Ballet Etudes, School of the Richmond Ballet, and the City Ballet of San Diego. He completed his formal studies with the Houston Ballet. Garrett believes that Denver is at the beginning of a golden age of artistic creation and hopes to help define the city as an undeniable leader in the international arts and culture community.

Anthony Garcia, Executive Artistic Director
Su Teatro Cultural and Performing Arts Center

Anthony Garcia was named Executive Artistic Director of Su Teatro in 1989. Su Teatro began as a social justice organization and is one of the oldest Chicano teatros in the country. Tony is a nationally recognized playwright, director and actor. He holds a BA in theater from the University of Colorado at Denver. He has served as vice chairperson of the board of the National Association of Latino Arts and Culture and was named the Denver Theatre Person of the Year in December 2010.

Alyssa Kopf, CEO
Community Shares of Colorado

Alyssa Kopf was appointed CEO of Community Shares of Colorado in March of 2008. Community Shares is a statewide giving fund that annually collects designated funds from nearly 7000 donors and distributes them to more than 170 nonprofit organizations. Since joining the staff in 2002, Alyssa has led the annual Community Giving Campaign and developed the My Colorado Project. She graduated from the University of Washington with a B.A. in History.

Lisa Merlino, Executive Director
Invest in Kids

Lisa Merlino was named Executive Director of Invest in Kids in July of 2009, after serving as Deputy Director for nine years. IIK provides program and policy leadership that improves the health and well-being of children and families in Colorado. She began her career in politics, working as chief field deputy for a Los Angeles city councilwoman and staffing several state and national campaigns. She has a B.A. in psychology from the University of Colorado at Boulder.

Mike Yankovich, President and CEO
Children’s Museum of Denver

Mike Yankovich was promoted to President and CEO of the Children’s Museum of Denver in May of 2010, having advanced through the ranks as Director of Education, Vice President of Guest Experience, and Chief Operating Officer. His previous museum experience includes stints with the Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Port Discovery in Baltimore, Cosi Toledo —Hands on Science and Learning Center and Inventure Place/National Inventors Hall of Fame. He received a Bachelor of Education degree from Kent State University.

The Bonfils-Stanton Foundation is a private, nonprofit corporation created to enhance the quality of life for residents of Colorado. The mission of the Foundation is to advance excellence in the areas of Arts and Culture, Community Service, and Science and Medicine through strategic investments resulting in significant and unique contributions in these fields and across the nonprofit sector. More information is available at www.bonfils-stanton.org