be_ixf;ym_202403 d_27; ct_50 YES! I want to make a difference TODAY!

Denver associate board

Our associate board is a group of professionals who are committed to supporting and promoting our AmeriCorps members and organizational goals.

Whitney Hager Headshot
Whitney Hager, Board Chair
Vice President, Colorado Market Leader IMA Select

I serve because education has always been a priority in my life, and I want to help continue the impact and success of City Year Denver.

As an advisor in business insurance at IMA Select since 2013, Whitney Hager brings over 10 years of experience in the insurance industry to the small and midsize business community of Colorado. Her focus includes the manufacturing, emerging technology, real estate, and construction industries. Whitney’s underwriting background provides her with expansive knowledge in understanding the right protection strategies for business owners and their employees. Whitney has lived in Colorado since 2010 and in her free time she loves to hike, camp, and cook for her friends and family. Education has always been important to Whitney and some of the best advice she’s ever been given was to “never stop learning”. She loves the mission of City Year and is excited to serve as an associate board member!

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Jessica Hitt, Past Board Chair
Vice President, Human Resources Business Partner TIAA Financial Solutions

I serve because I want to make an impact in my community. Little did I know that while aiming to make an impact in my community I would form connections with AmeriCorps members and other City Year supporters, ultimately building a community of friends.

Jessica Hitt is a Vice President, Business Area HR Leader for the Chief Operating Office at TIAA. In this role she is responsible for developing the human capital strategy, human capital initiatives and talent strategies in support of a large and complex function requiring significant technical expertise. Since joining TIAA in 2015, Jessica has held multiple HR Business Partner roles and lead critical culture initiatives for the organization. She holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration with a Certificate of Diversity Leadership from the University of Connecticut and a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Florida. She is also a classically trained violist and has been performing with the Denver Philharmonic since 2018.

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Keith Dauper, Past Board Chair
Senior Account Executive Dizzion

I serve to support the community I live in and where my kids will go to school. Being part of City Year's Double bottom line of improving outcomes for students in systemically under-resourced schools while cultivating the next generation of leaders through CY alum continues to fill my heart.

Keith Dauper is currently a Senior Account Executive for Dizzion in Denver, CO.  Dizzion is a high-growth technology company that develops, implements and manages customized virtual desktop platforms for its customers. Keith graduated from Concordia University in Montreal, Quebec with a Specialization B.A. degree in Human Relations.  While at Concordia, he was an All-Canadian Offensive Lineman on the football team.  He also played professionally in the Arena Football League post college.  In his spare time, he enjoys staying active through all of Colorado’s abundant outdoor activities – including hiking, skiing, and biking.  Keith currently resides in Sloan’s Lake with his wife Ashley, 7-year old daughter Adelyn, 5-year old son Zachary, and 3-year old son Lucas. 

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Iesha Mitchell
Director of Community Partnerships Invest in Kids

I serve because I believe wholeheartedly in education! There is a power in knowledge and a beauty in learning that is beyond measure and City Year amplifies access to students, and works to mitigate the challenges facing students. As a City Year Alumni (Denver '14 and '15), I know that the efforts of these young adults will have a positive impact on our community as they volunteer to support our future leaders to reach for their dreams!

Iesha is the Director of Community Partnerships for Invest in Kids, developing relationships across Colorado to ensure access of evidence-based programs for communities. Prior to joining the Invest in Kids family, she worked with students, families, and communities in Denver Public Schools'(DPS) for 5 years. With her collaborative leadership style and focus on integrity and equity, she has proven herself to be a highly flexible leader, delivering tangibles by adapting quickly to the ever-shifting demands and needs. Iesha enjoys spending time with her family, is an avid reader, and loves to craft in her spare time.

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Headshot of Joseph Maher
Joseph Maher
Senior Associate Griffiths Law, PC

As a City Year alumni (Chicago 06'), and through continued service as a volunteer with the organization, I have witnessed the invaluable contribution City Year provides the communities (the children, families, schools, and more) in which the corps serve. I have also witnessed the impact City Year has on developing its AmeriCorps member. I serve on the Associate Board so that I can continue my commitment to the education and community of Denver.

Joe is an experienced attorney that focuses his practice on all areas of family law. Joe has significant experience in all areas of family law, particularly divorce, parenting-related litigation, and other domestic relations issues. Before joining Griffiths Law, Joe completed a judicial clerkship at the trial level and worked for eight years in private practice. His practice has always focused on complex family matters that were often high conflict and had complex financial issues. Before attending law school, Joe worked with at-risk teenage youth in Chicago to develop their civic knowledge and awareness as an AmeriCorps volunteer with City Year Chicago. While in law school, he served as a Teaching Assistant and as the Articles Editor for the University of Baltimore Law Forum.

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Headshot of Katie Roush
Katie Roush
Partner Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher LLP

I serve because City Year and its AmeriCorps members make our schools better and our communities stronger. It is an honor to support this organization and these corps members.

Katie Roush is currently a partner at the Denver law firm Foster Graham Milstein & Calisher, LLP. Foster Graham is a full-service law firm providing representation to clients of all sizes both locally and nationally. Kate is a Denver native who graduated from Brown University and attended law school at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law. She has two young children and lives with her family in the Cory-Merrill neighborhood in Denver.

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Megan Cowan
Senior Account Executive Working Spaces

I serve to support the AmeriCorps members that dedicate their year of service to providing equal education opportunities to our city's most underserved public schools. These young, motivated individuals continue to inspire me and I can see the impact that their efforts have on our community.

Megan is a Senior Account Executive at Working Spaces, a full-service contract furniture dealership, and has been with the company for the past 15 years. Working Spaces specializes in creating an exceptional client experience when designing in corporate, healthcare and educational environments.

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Headshot of Jana Ellis
Jana Ellis
Special Education Support Staff, Creativity Challenge Community Denver Public Schools

I serve because I believe every student should have the opportunity to experience an engaging personalized education. As a parent of two children in Denver Public Schools and as an educator, I am passionate about public education and City Year. City Year's presence in Denver's schools helps to attain that goal and give our students a rich educational environment in which they have the opportunity to thrive.

Telbe Storbeck Headshot
Telbe Storbeck
Advocacy Advisor Occidental

I serve on City Year’s associate board to give back and help promote my community in metro Denver. Education prepares young individuals with the building blocks to achieve their personal and professional goals. I want and must be a part of preparing the next generation for success.

Telbe Storbeck is the Advocacy Advisor for Occidental. In this role, he manages Oxy’s employee advocacy programs, and external partnerships in Colorado, New Mexico, and Wyoming.

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Katie Helock
Audit Partner Deloitte & Touche, LLP

I serve because I believe that education is foundational to a equitable and flourishing community. I can see the impact that City Year makes, the passion that each and every AmeriCorps member exhibits, and I am honored to be on the associate board.

National Strategic Partners
National Partners