Support CA

List of 9 items.

• 

  Kate McDonnell

  Director of Advancement
  View Bio
  Colgate University - BA
  American University - MA

  At CA Since: 2023
  
  Kate McDonnell joined Colorado Academy in spring 2023 as Director of Advancement and brought a dynamic fundraising career of over 15 years’ experience to our school. McDonnell has been a major and planned gifts officer and director at many different nonprofits, among them art museums, The Smithsonian, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and National Jewish Health. She came most recently from Rocky Mountain Public Media, where she was Vice President of Philanthropy. She is an accomplished fundraiser, having successfully completed capital campaigns and launched new strategies for attracting grants, mid-level gifts, major gifts, and planned giving.
   
  McDonnell holds a BA in Art and Art History from Colgate University and an MA in Art History from American University and is also a graduate of a select professional advancement program in Philanthropy at the University of Denver. She takes advantage of the great Colorado outdoors by hiking, cycling, and cross-country skiing, and she also likes photography and experimenting in the kitchen.
• 

  Niki Camarena

  Director of The CA Fund 
  View Bio
  University of Colorado - BA
  University of Denver - MA

  At CA Since: 2021
  
  

  Niki joined Colorado Academy’s Advancement Team as Director of the CA Fund after nearly a decade representing local private and community foundations, most recently serving as Senior Program Officer at the Anschutz Family Foundation. Prior to representing foundations on the giving side of philanthropy, Niki served in nonprofit fundraising and development roles, directing Regis University’s Annual Support Programs and as the Museum of Contemporary Art Denver's Individual Giving & Membership Manager. Niki had the privilege of serving on Horizons at Colorado Academy's Executive Board from 2015-2018. Niki began her career nearly two decades ago as a Spanish teacher and holds a BA in Spanish from the University of Colorado Boulder and an MA in International Studies from the University of Denver.
• 

  Gravely Wilson

  Advancement Officer - Major Gifts
  View Bio
  Texas Christian University - BS

  At CA Since: 2017
  
  Gravely Wilson joined CA as a Major Gifts Officer after more than a decade at the Denver Art Museum, where she played a leadership role in the museum’s Development Department, working with board members, donors, and corporate and community leaders to advance the museum’s mission. As Associate Director of Development-Events, Wilson oversaw the opening events for the Frederic C. Hamilton Building and the museum’s annual fundraising and patron events. DAM is one of the largest art museums between the West Coast and Chicago, and is home to a collection of more than 70,000 works of art. In addition to her work at the museum, Wilson worked in marketing and events for the Fort Worth Public Library Foundation, and has worked in advertising agencies in Fort Worth, Texas.
• 

  Christine Barnard

  Advancement Operations Manager
  View Bio
  Arizona State University - BS

  At CA Since: 2007
  
  Chris Barnard, Development Operations Manager, joined CA in May 2007, right before the Centennial Gala, and has found CA to be continually amazing and impressive. Her work at CA includes processing and reporting on all donations, producing the school directory, managing the school databases, and assisting in many of the events that CA sponsors.
• 

  Jan Beattie

  Curricular Projects & Communications Assistant
  View Bio
  Wellesley College - BA
  University of Colorado at Denver - MA
  University of Colorado at Denver - MA

  At CA Since: 1985
  
  Jan Beattie took on a new role in the fall of 2014 as a special assistant to the Head of School for Curriculum and as a communications associate. She was Director of the Technology Department until 2014, overseeing all integrated computer instruction for students, as well as teacher training in technology and the school's technology infrastructure. She has been teaching at Colorado Academy since 1985, and first entered the CA family as a parent in the fall of 1977. She is a member of the CA Recorder Consort and is an associate editor of many school publications. Beattie sponsored the National Geographic Bee for 4th-8th graders at CA for many years. She has taught a graduate-level course in curriculum integration of technology at the University of Colorado at Denver and is certified in Colorado to teach secondary English and instructional technology. Hiking with her husband is her favorite avocation, and she has climbed 15 of Colorado's '14ers. Their grown children are both CA 'lifer' grads. Beattie’s other interests include reading, travel, global languages, gardening, etymology, redecorating her West Washington Park Victorian home, and learning new things.
• 

  Susan Burleigh

  Director of Alumni Relations
  View Bio
  DePauw University - BA

  At CA Since: 2002
  
  Sue Burleigh, a long-time parent volunteer and CA advocate, joined the staff as Director of Alumni Relations in October 2002. She brought with her a wealth of knowledge about CA. She has served as president and treasurer of CA’s parent association, an ex-officio member of the board of trustees and vice president of the middle school parent association, and her son is a CA alumnus. Sue’s previous work experience includes teaching Third and Fourth Grade, program director for the American Lung Association and financial work for Colorado Global Resources. Sue moved back to Denver in 1993 after living six years in Cairo, Egypt.  Sue really enjoys her work with the CA alumni population and enjoys promoting the CA Alumni Association.
• 

  Bill Fisher

  Communications Officer/Content Strategist
  View Bio
  Amherst College - BA
  University of Iowa - MFA
  At CA Since: 2022
  
  Bill Fisher joined the team in the CA Advancement Office as Communications and Content Strategist in August 2022. Previously, he was Director of Marketing and Communications for Shore Country Day School, a Pre-K through Grade Nine independent school in Beverly, Mass. Before that, he was Manager of Online and Video Communications at Wesleyan University in Connecticut. Institutional storytelling is his forte, and he has developed a broad set of communication skills, encompassing the realms of writing, video and photo, web presence, marketing and branding, graphic design, and social media. Fisher enjoys highlighting and sharing the stories of faculty members, distinguished alumni, engaged parents and students, and thoughtful donors. He holds a BA in English from Amherst College and a master’s in film and video production from the University of Iowa.
• 

  Marsha Martinez

  Events Manager
  View Bio
  Marymount Manhattan College - BA
  At CA Since: 2022
  
  Marsha Martinez joined the CA Advancement and Communications team in spring 2022 as Events Manager. She was formerly Senior Event Program Manager at the University of Colorado Boulder and was responsible for executing annual and signature donor events for the Chancellor and other departments of the University. From managing guest speakers at Columbia University to festive celebrations at Lincoln Center Theater, or receptions for donor dignitaries or student families, Martinez brings experience, energy, and creativity. She will work closely with all CA constituencies to create memorable, mission-aligned events and facilitate intriguing lectures for CA’s SPEAK series. Martinez holds a BA in Theatre from Marymount Manhattan College.
• 

  Rebecca Risch

  Digital Media Specialist & Webmaster
  View Bio
  Skidmore College - BA
  University of Missouri - MA

  At CA Since: 2018
  
  Becky Risch came to Colorado Academy in 2018 after nearly 20 years at The Denver Post. Since 2005, she has served as the Post’s Digital Director, where she applied cutting-edge digital and technological strategies to increase readership, revenue, and improve the user experience. Prior to her journalism career, she worked in Washington, D.C. as a legislative assistant for a New York congressman. A Denver native, she graduated from Skidmore College with a degree in government and the University of Missouri with a Master’s in Digital Journalism.