Our Staff

Joanne leads the organization in its efforts to provide education and advocacy for Colorado’s philanthropic sector. Before transitioning to her role at Philanthropy Colorado, Joanne spent much of her career in journalism with news agencies, magazines and daily newspapers in Denver, Washington, DC, New York City and Chicago, working to inform the public about a wide range of subjects including Wall Street, Congress, high technology and the social profit sector. Joanne brings other experience to Philanthropy Colorado including several years working for a management consultancy on the Innovation team that planned and hosted CEO summits and educational seminars for diverse groups of executives.

Joanne has been a board member of the Washington-based United Philanthropy Forum, a national network of philanthropy-serving organizations, and the Colorado Society of Association Executives. She also serves on the local advisory board of Colorado Media Project and is the Board Chair of Food and Environment Reporting Network, an independent, non-partisan investigative news organization. She received a Master of Science degree from Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism and graduated with a B.A. in both Spanish and History from Wells College, where she now serves on the Board of Trustees.

Amy leads our Rural Funders Learning Network and focuses on increasing our statewide presence. She has a proven track record in leading networks of funders and more than 20 years of deep experience working in communities, with government, nonprofits and philanthropy. She joined Philanthropy Colorado from The Funders Network for Smart Growth and Livable Communities, where she spent five-and-a-half years managing an eight-state funder network, the Intermountain West Funder Network. Her previous experience includes working with the head of school and board of directors at the American School of El Salvador, leading community impact efforts for the State of Colorado and nine counties to advance youth development through the OMNI Institute; and collaborative, community-based strategic planning and visioning initiatives for towns and cities throughout the United States through her work with the community services division of the National Civic League.

Amy was an El Pomar Fellow after being affiliated with the U.S. Peace Corps for four years as a volunteer in Kenya and one year as a trainer in community conservation and education. She received a Bachelor of Arts and Sciences degree from Colorado College (Major: Biology; Minor: Women's Studies) and a Master's degree with a Nonprofit concentration from University of Colorado Denver's Graduate School of Public Administration.

Jaser coordinates many of our expanded activities and manages several technology and communications needs. He provides support to the IT peer group and Arts & Culture Funders group. Before joining Philanthropy Colorado, Jaser completed a one-year U.S. Fulbright Program Fellowship in Rubavu, Rwanda, where he coordinated with the U.S. Embassy to conduct weekly programs and presentations at the American Corner, a resource center that aims to increase understanding between Rwanda and the United states. Prior to working in Rwanda, he participated in the Duke University India Summer School for Future International Development Leaders. This field research position in Udaipur, India allowed him to propose and analyze creative, locally sourced approaches to rural development. He also was a Curatorial Assistant for the Biennial of the Americas and interned for Children’s Future International, writing and researching grant opportunities for the organization’s expansion of education and basic needs services for disadvantaged youth in Cambodia.

Jaser received a Master of Public Policy degree from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies and graduated from the University of Denver, where he was a Boettcher Scholar majoring in International Studies and Political Science. He enjoys hiking, swimming, running, watercolor painting, and giving back to diverse communities throughout the state as a Colorado native.

Anna supports many of our association activities, as well as assists with communications and member services. She provides support for some of our peer groups including the Early Childhood Funders Network, the Early Childhood Mental Health Funder Network, and the Human Resources & Operations Group. Prior to joining Philanthropy Colorado, Anna completed an internship with The Office of U.S. Senator Michael Bennet where she handled constituent casework, assisted in grant-writing, and engaged with Colorado organizations across a variety of interest spheres. Before her internship with Michael Bennet, Anna served as a social media coordinator for the nonprofit Alliance to Lead Impact in Global Human Trafficking through a work-study program at the University of Denver.

Anna received a Bachelor of Arts degree in International Studies from the University of Denver’s Josef Korbel School of International Studies. Her focus areas include International Health & Development and International Political Economy, with a concentration in the Latin America region. Anna studied abroad in Costa Rica, where she completed her Spanish language minor and participated in an immersive Latin American Politics & International Relations program.