Erin Atwell, Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
Erin Atwell is the CEO of Community Shares of Colorado and long-time champion of the belief that every day philanthropists, giving to the causes they care about most, are the most important change makers in our community. The powerful impact recognized when we give together inspires her personal and professional commitment to community investment. Erin currently serves as the Vice President of the Community Shares USA National Board of Directors. She participated in the inaugural cohort of the Chinook Fund Giving Project and is a graduate of Impact Denver, Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s civic leadership program. In 2018, she co-led the founding of CSR Solutions of Colorado. Born and raised here in Colorado, she is dedicated to building a strong, vibrant, and inclusive local community. Erin is an alumna of University of Notre Dame and has 20+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining the Community Shares team in 2008, Erin worked with a variety of organizations and causes including Denver Art Museum, historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, Women’s Information Network (WIN) for pro-choice democratic women, and Colorado AIDS Project. She and her wife live in Greenwood Village.
Erin Atwell is the CEO of Community Shares of Colorado and long-time champion of the belief that every day philanthropists, giving to the causes they care about most, are the most important change makers in our community. The powerful impact recognized when we give together inspires her personal and professional commitment to community investment. Erin currently serves as the Vice President of the Community Shares USA National Board of Directors. She participated in the inaugural cohort of the Chinook Fund Giving Project and is a graduate of Impact Denver, Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s civic leadership program. In 2018, she co-led the founding of CSR Solutions of Colorado. Born and raised here in Colorado, she is dedicated to building a strong, vibrant, and inclusive local community. Erin is an alumna of University of Notre Dame and has 20+ years of experience in the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining the Community Shares team in 2008, Erin worked with a variety of organizations and causes including Denver Art Museum, historic Ford’s Theatre in Washington, DC, Women’s Information Network (WIN) for pro-choice democratic women, and Colorado AIDS Project. She and her wife live in Greenwood Village.
Becky Herlinger, Corporate Social Responsibility Services Director
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Becky Herlinger was named Combined Campaigns Director in May 2015. She oversees the Colorado Combined Campaign and the Denver Employees' Combined Campaign (respectively, the annual workplace giving campaigns of state of Colorado and city of Denver government employees). Becky's nonprofit career spans nearly two decades, most significantly at the Colorado chapter of the March of Dimes Foundation. There, she served as communications director and oversaw marketing for the organization's statewide fundraising, awareness and volunteerism initiatives. Becky has a bachelor's degree in English from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and a master's degree in nonprofit management from Denver's Regis University. Colorado road trips are probably her most favorite thing.
Becky Herlinger was named Combined Campaigns Director in May 2015. She oversees the Colorado Combined Campaign and the Denver Employees' Combined Campaign (respectively, the annual workplace giving campaigns of state of Colorado and city of Denver government employees). Becky's nonprofit career spans nearly two decades, most significantly at the Colorado chapter of the March of Dimes Foundation. There, she served as communications director and oversaw marketing for the organization's statewide fundraising, awareness and volunteerism initiatives. Becky has a bachelor's degree in English from Reed College in Portland, Oregon, and a master's degree in nonprofit management from Denver's Regis University. Colorado road trips are probably her most favorite thing.
Ashley Cook, Corporate Social Responsibility Services Manager
Ashley Cook is passionate about helping everyday philanthropists empower their communities to thrive. She believes that equitable, democratized giving builds a more inclusive Colorado. Her background in public and nonprofit sectors allows her to mobilize community members to grow and prosper by promoting real change every day.
BA Communications - University of Tampa
JD/MSW - Washington University in St. Louis
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Suzi Scher, Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement
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Suzi Scher is the Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement of Community Shares of Colorado and long-time Corporate Social Responsibility champion. She has spent much of her career building
collaborations between corporate entities and nonprofit organizations. Her work history, includes a variety of industries, Fortune 500 Companies and nonprofits. She is passionate about all things philanthropy, fundraising, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and justice. She holds a BA in Business Communications with a double major in Psychology from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She a Denver native, born and raised in Colorado and dedicated to focusing on causes including the environment, health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, disaster and humanitarian relief, animal welfare and the arts for increased positive impacts to our local communities.
Suzi Scher is the Director of Philanthropy & Community Engagement of Community Shares of Colorado and long-time Corporate Social Responsibility champion. She has spent much of her career building
collaborations between corporate entities and nonprofit organizations. Her work history, includes a variety of industries, Fortune 500 Companies and nonprofits. She is passionate about all things philanthropy, fundraising, corporate social responsibility (CSR) and justice. She holds a BA in Business Communications with a double major in Psychology from the University of Kansas, Lawrence. She a Denver native, born and raised in Colorado and dedicated to focusing on causes including the environment, health, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, disaster and humanitarian relief, animal welfare and the arts for increased positive impacts to our local communities.
Paige Ott, Philanthropy & Community Engagement Coordinator
paige@cshares.org
Paige Ott started at Community Shares in 2021 as the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Coordinator. She studied Media Studies and Spanish at the University of Oregon, before going on to work in film and television for five years in Los Angeles. After finding a passion for equity during the pandemic, she moved home to Denver to begin working in the nonprofit field. She is passionate about equity and diversity, especially within our educational and professional fields. In her free time, she enjoys playing hockey, finding new SCUBA sites, comedy writing, and cuddling with her cat
Paige Ott started at Community Shares in 2021 as the Philanthropy and Community Engagement Coordinator. She studied Media Studies and Spanish at the University of Oregon, before going on to work in film and television for five years in Los Angeles. After finding a passion for equity during the pandemic, she moved home to Denver to begin working in the nonprofit field. She is passionate about equity and diversity, especially within our educational and professional fields. In her free time, she enjoys playing hockey, finding new SCUBA sites, comedy writing, and cuddling with her cat
Sarah Maxwell, Director of Operations & Information Systems
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Sarah Maxwell started with Community Shares in October 2016 as a seasonal Combined Campaign Account Assistant and then moved into a permanent position with Community Shares in March of 2017. Sarah has worked, in a variety of different positions, in the non-profit field since 1994 and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University with a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has lived in Colorado since 1980 and currently lives in the Lincoln Park neighborhood with her two kitties.
Sarah Maxwell started with Community Shares in October 2016 as a seasonal Combined Campaign Account Assistant and then moved into a permanent position with Community Shares in March of 2017. Sarah has worked, in a variety of different positions, in the non-profit field since 1994 and holds a Master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Regis University with a BA in Psychology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has lived in Colorado since 1980 and currently lives in the Lincoln Park neighborhood with her two kitties.
Julie Connor, Information Systems Coordinator
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Julie Connor works for Community Shares part time assisting with operations while also doing grant writing for El Paso County and managing her AirBnB. The bulk of her career so far has consisted of working in various capacities for the City of Denver – Director of Community Outreach for Denver’s elected auditor, Legislative Aide for City Council District 7, and Graphic Designer for Community Planning and Development and Denver Health) – and as a Program Director for climate change projects at Groundwork Denver. She has also done stints as a journalist, Peace Corps health promoter, software and ESL instructor, horticulturalist, window restorer and political candidate. She needs all this experience in order to tackle updating her 120-year-old home.
Julie Connor works for Community Shares part time assisting with operations while also doing grant writing for El Paso County and managing her AirBnB. The bulk of her career so far has consisted of working in various capacities for the City of Denver – Director of Community Outreach for Denver’s elected auditor, Legislative Aide for City Council District 7, and Graphic Designer for Community Planning and Development and Denver Health) – and as a Program Director for climate change projects at Groundwork Denver. She has also done stints as a journalist, Peace Corps health promoter, software and ESL instructor, horticulturalist, window restorer and political candidate. She needs all this experience in order to tackle updating her 120-year-old home.
