Alumni Updates

Our graduates are engaged in meaningful community leadership in the state of Colorado, across the United States and all over the world. We celebrate the different ways they have chosen to make a difference. They inspire and renew our hope and faith on a daily basis - because of what they do and because of who they are!

If you have information about an INVST Community Leadership Program graduate whose name does not appear below, please contact our Administrative Assistant by e-mailing rachna.toshniwal@gmail.com or calling (303) 492-7719. It's important to us to maintain our network. Also, if we ever print information that is incorrect, we apologize and we invite you to be in touch.

Classes of 1992, 1993 and 1994:

Ted Adams lives in Washington, DC and works with a national non-profit organization that envisions a great place to play within walking distance of every child in the US. The organization is called KaBOOM!
We would love to be in touch with others from INVST's early years! Please contact us with news about your friends.

Fluxquitos Class of 1995:

Elizabeth Samworth lives in PA and works as the Training & Resource Manager for Philadelphia Teaching Fellows, an alternative certification program that recruits, hires, and trains career changers to be teachers in high-needs schools.

Keith Trammell is an attorney with an international law firm, Hogan and Hartson, L.L.P. He also serves on the INVST Fundraising and Advisory Board!

Carlos Windham is known as Brutha Los.  He performs hip-hop with Company of Prophets and lives in Oakland, CA.

Raintangbeanbows Class of 1996:

Christine Ahn works in both San Francisco, CA and Washington, DC with Korean Americans Against War and Neoliberalism, a national coalition working to stop the Korea-US Free Trade Agreement from taking hold. Also, she contributed an essay called "Democratizing American Philanthropy" to The Revolution Will Not Be Funded, a book that was edited by INCITE! Women of Color Against Violence.

Michael Garcia serves on the board for New Era Colorado.

Molly (Harlow) Peeples is the Western North Carolina council director of Girls on the Run, a non-profit that helps girls boost their self-esteem. She lives in Asheville, NC.

Transwalants Class of 1997:

Shannon Harker is raising her 9- and 5-year-old children, Harris and Addi, and she has just returned to school to study Landscape Architecture at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Amy Johnson works in Boulder with the Center for ReSource Conservation, an organization committed to leading Colorado residents, businesses, and governments toward a sustainable future. She is also a silversmith who makes fine jewelry.

Erica Seldon is an Account Executive for Exhibit Sales and Services with New Hope Natural Media in Boulder.

Kristen Seldon is the Regional Sales Director for University Parent, a publication in Boulder that serves the parents of college students when they visit. She also recently returned to INVST’s Fundraising and Advisory Board!

CEADS Class of 1998:

David Elsner has been studying to be a Doctor of Osteopathy. He is a resident in Obstetrics and Gynecology in Akron, OH.

Gabriel Guillaume is the Director of the Community Resource Center in Denver where he works to expand affordable housing options in the community.

Cara Hopkins lives in Denver and works as the Editor in Chief of DiningOut Magazine.

CurrentS Class of 1999:

Stefanie Carroll earned her Master's in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. She is now the Assistant Director of Alumni Relations and Communication at Metro State University, and she is co-chairing a task force on service learning and coordinating National Make a Difference Day!

Scott Gorsky is earning his Master’s in Education Administration, and is on track to being able to become a principal some day. At Eagleton Elementary in Denver, he works as a facilitator who supports teachers as well as coordinating the Gifted and Talented Program. Scott was elected to serve on the Englewood School Board!

sol•essence Class of 2000:

Monica Delaney is earning her Master's at Kent State in OH and enjoying being married to David Elsner!

Sara Malnati is a French teacher with Prince William County Schools near the city of Manassas, VA.

Sara (Nix) Guillaume earned a Master's in Non-Profit Management from Regis University. She works as Grants Coordinator with Adams County Community Development. 

Beth Schwarting is working as a Registered Nurse in the Women's Health Clinic at San Francisco General Hospital. She is currently in her last year of the Master's Program in Nurse Midwifery at the University of California-San Francisco. She also volunteers at the Homeless Prenatal Program teaching relaxation, meditation and infant massage.

Sabrina Sideris earned a Master's in Peace Education from the United Nations-affiliated University for Peace in Costa Rica. After living in Washington, DC and working with a non-profit called Teaching for Change, she has returned to INVST Community Studies! Sabrina is thrilled to be teaching and working as the Program Director.

Adam Van Iwaarden lives in Boulder. This fall, he completed as the Administrative Assistant with INVST Community Studies and we thank him for all that he provided while he worked, tirelessly and with gusto, in that role! Adam is currently studying to earn a Ph.D. in Education Research from CU and he works as a research assistant with the Denver Public Schools' Department of Assessment and Research.

remoGoofic Class of 2001:

Stephanie Bonin owns and operates Duo Restaurant in the Highlands and Cafe Colore in downtown Denver with her husband, Keith. Also, she has a baby girl, Maisie, who was born on November 4, 2007! 

Amy LaBorde works in real estate in Boulder.

Georgia Lindsay is a candidate for a Ph.D. in architecture and environmental design at the University of California-Berkeley.

Hilary Moshman recently returned with her daughter to Colorado, after living in Washington, DC.

Jamie Smith lives in Denver where she is a social worker.  

Earth Tide Class of 2002:

Nick Hedlund lives in CA where he attends JFK University's School of Holistic Studies and is earning a Master's in Integral Psychology.

Kaye Jones was married this summer to Adam Hyde! Gaia Mika (INVST Co-Founder/Former Instructor) presided over their wedding. Kaye is an organic farmer with 47th Avenue Farm in Portland, OR. She is also a sustainability consultant.

Daniel Roth is purchasing and re-modeling homes for re-sale in Boulder.

Rain Dancing Monkey Scrubbers Class of 2003:

Naomi Allen recently moved back to Boulder after living in San Diego, CA. She is seeking employment in education, living with her husband Brian and enjoying hiking and playing with her dog. 

Alexandra Arbogast is in graduate school for clinical social work in Richmond, VA. This summer, she is working as an INVST Summer Program Facilitator.

Allison Glass is the coordinator for the annual Gandhi-King Conference on Peacemaking and she works with the Mid South Peace and Justice Center. She lives with her family in Memphis, TN.

Audra Caravas is a Tour Guide at the Colorado State Capitol. She is also a Teaching Assistant with The Honorable Dorothy Rupert, the instructor for our Youth Council for Public Policy. This summer, she is working as an INVST Summer Program Facilitator.

Elly Goetz recently moved to Honduras to work as the Co-Director of the non-governmental organization Un Mundo!

Jenna Peck is living in Louisville, CO and working as the Program Coordinator for the Gabriel Project, a pregnancy ministry run by the Archdiocese of Denver.  She also volunteers with Project Homeless. 

Jocelyn Rice completed her degrees in Studio Arts and Sociology at CU. She now lives in MA with her family.

Leila Cheyenne Sobieniak-Wiseman earned her BA in International Affairs from CU. Now she is in medical school at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center in Denver.

Amy Weiner returned from her travels in Korea, Thailand, New Zealand and Australia. She lives in Golden, CO with her partner, Travis, and Amy is earning a Master's in High School Counseling while teaching in Denver. 

Chris Wilson recently worked as a facilitator for the Center for Global Education in Cuernavaca, Mexico. Now he lives in Boulder where he is the Tutoring Center Coordinator for the Ozone program at Boulder High School.

Sarah Yoder works in the Probation Department at the State of Colorado Judicial Branch. She also enjoys playing with her dog, turning her compost heap and hiking in and around Fort Collins, CO.

Ansamas OO Reipi Class of 2004:

Dustin Craun is a Researcher and Advisor to the Zaytuna Institute's Tabari School of Islamic Studies in Berkeley, CA. He is also a Master's candidate in Ethnic Studies at San Francisco State University. This summer, he is working as an INVST Summer Program Facilitator.

Jennifer Fox lives with her partner, Mitch, in Walnut Creek, CA and works in alternative transportation. She is planning to attend massage school, as well as belly dancing, learning to play guitar and enjoying the ocean.

Joshua Lathan is the Environmental Planner/Urban Designer for EDAW Inc. in Sacramento, CA. He is also working on his Master's project for Cornell University on participatory planning and urban design, after having worked in Rome, Brisbane, Chicago and Sacramento on participatory projects.

Carolina Padilla completed her degrees in Fine Arts and Dance at CU. She now works in marketing in Denver.

Lauren Panneck is hoping to start a private practice in social work. She has applied for the Doctorate of Social Work program at Smith College in Northampton, MA and Lauren recently traveled to Australia and New Zealand!

Gavriel Weiner is a Toy Producer at Leap Frog, a company that makes educational toys. She does children's writing and content design. She is also climbing, learning Spanish, and playing in California's hills and on the beaches.

Claire Williams is the Development Associate for GirlVentures, a non-profit dedicated to empowering adolescent girls to develop and express their strengths.

T'eesbi Pura Vida Class of 2005:

Sara Ford is working as a Case Manager at Ecumenical Refugee Services, a refugee resettlement agency. She is also enjoying rebuilding her deck, watching SciFi, meeting new people and spending time with old friends.

Michelle Hartel is the Curriculum Coordinator for the Snowboard Outreach Society, helping to build character and self-esteem in at-risk kids through snowboarding. She is also coaching soccer, playing with her dogs and traveling. 

Ellen Hatleberg recently traveled in India and Tibet.  She now lives and works in Washington, DC.

Amy Hutmacher works with a consulting firm that focuses on solving revenue problems for large hospitals in Denver, CO. She recently moved from Washington, DC.

David Meens earned a Master's in education and he now teaches with INVST Community Studies! He also takes classes at CU, plays music and spends time with his dog.

Taliah Weber recently traveled in Australia. She is now living in Bloomington, IN where she teaches preschool and kindergarten at a Montessori school. She is in the process of applying to graduate schools. 

14 RPMs Class of 2006:

Jordan Brown recently completed as the Administrative Assistant and Development Coordinator with INVST Community Studies. She is planning her wedding with Brett Holland and preparing for a long-awaited trip to India.

Tina Chung lives in OR and is applying for a Ph.D. program in Counseling Psychology.

Matt de Caussin recently completed his degree at CU! He works as a server at El Centro and he volunteers as a mentor for young men at MESA (Moving to End Sexual Assault).

Maren Gauldin worked as a Summer Program Facilitator and traveled with INVST students to Mexico! She is now living in Boulder and working at the Southern Sun.

Shaun Galvin is working as a Catholic Missionary for the Fellowship of Catholic University Students at Colorado State University in Fort Collins.

Billy Innis is in law school at Texas Tech University.

Stephanie Koutavas is working with Goodwill Industries and studying sign language in Denver.

Annie Miller has finished her internship at the Hidden Villa in CA and she moved to Portland, OR.

Megan Moriarty recently began Peace Corps service in Mozambique.

Melissa Rubin lives in Longmont, CO where she is spending time with her baby boy, August, who was born this summer!

Jillian Sebastian recently spent a semester abroad with the Mexico Solidarity Network and then graduated from CU! She also traveled in Spain.

Lauren Stanton lives near Seattle, WA where she works in outdoor education. We thank her for working as a Summer Program Facilitator with Nizhoni Raíces!

Sonar Shofar Class of 2007:

Chantel  Butterfield is  the Events  Coordinator with  the Volunteer  Clearinghouse on the CU campus, while she continues her studies.

Joanne Esch was an INVST Teaching Assistant last semester, while pursuing the rest of her studies. Currently, she is in Washington, DC in an internship!

Stacey Hammond recently returned from Argentina, where she was on a study abroad program. She is now a Teaching Assistant with INVST Community Studies!

Gisella Kagy graduated from CU and she lives in Princeton, NJ where she is a Research Assistant at Mathematical Policy Research. She is being exposed to many different facets of public policy and economics. She also volunteers with organizations that serve homeless people. We thank Gisella for working as a Summer Program Facilitator in Mexico with Via Ajooba, Sol!

Becca Kaplan is a CU student and she is also working with the Volunteer Clearinghouse. This summer, she is working as an INVST Summer Program Facilitator.

Anna Koclanes graduated from CU and sheis a second grade teacher at Winbourne Elementary in Baton Rouge, LA. She is working with Teach for America and is determined to provide the education that these young people deserve. 

Lauren Kourabas just returned from studying in Chile. She is a Teaching Assistant with INVST Community Studies!

Kat Girod works at the Mountain Sun restaurant in Boulder and she is looking forward to the ski season. She recently graduated from CU and she continues to serve INVST on projects related to diversity and inclusion.

Laura Stephenson is completing her BA  at CU and she is a student worker with the Environmental Studies department. Laura is also a TA with INVST Community Studies!

Via Ajooba, Sol Class of 2008:

Keely  Bannon is continuing her studies at CU with a major in Business Administration and Management. She is also workig to earn a Peace and Conflict Studies Certificate.

Sierra Brashear grauduated from CU on May 9, 2008 with a major in Environmental Studies. She is preparing to attend the University for Peace in Costa Rica, where she will earn a Master's in Environmental Security and Peace.

Tara Carosa plans to graduate in December 2008, completig her major in Business Management.

Avy Harris graduated from CU on May 9, completing a Women and Gender Studies major and a History minor, and she is traveling this summer in Asia.

Bridget Jankovsky completed an honors thesis and graduated from CU on May 9 with a major in Sociology, and she will be traveling this summer in Asia.

Virginia Kester-Meyer is a CU student in Fine Arts who plans to graduate in May 2010.

Taylor Levy won the Jacob Van Ek Scholar Award for superior academic achievement combined with distinguished service to the community! She also finished her honors thesis and graduated from CU on May 9 with majors in International Affairs and Sociology and a minor in Geography.

Marisa McGuire will hold an internship in accounting in Chile this year, then she will return to CU to complete her studies as a Business/Accounting major.

Abigale Shepard has a major in International Affairs and a minor in Econmics. She anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2010. Abby works with Project YES (Youth Envisioning Social change).

Allison Van Buskirk is completing her BA at CU, with a major in Communications. This fall, she will serve as a TA with INVST Community Studies! She also works with Project YES.

Christopher Smith is completing his BA at CU, with a major in Political Science, while working full time in web design.

Alyssa Willet majors in Women and Gender Studies and Journalism, while working on campus with CU GOLD.