Livingston Fellowship Program 2005 Fellows, from left to right: Kevin Seggelke, Jamie Van Leeuwen, Colleen Colarelli, John Livingston, Chip Walton and Susan Birch.
Susan E. Birch, RN, MBA
Executive Director
Northwest Colorado Visiting Nurse Association, Inc.
Sue has an MBA and a BS in Nursing from the University of Colorado, has worked in nursing as an RN and clinical instructor, and a Robert Wood Johnson Fellow. She is involved in volunteer and community activities and serves on numerous boards and commissions at the state and local levels. Sue has been in her position since 1992. Through the Fellowship, she further developed her skills, resources and knowledge to advocate for community health improvements at the state and national levels, and to make quality health care available to underserved people in rural Colorado.
“Because of my fellowship experiences, I have forged stronger relationships, expanded my network, and strengthened my professional knowledge. I have greatly enhanced my capacity as a leader, my power to effect positive change, and my ability to mobilize people, organizations, and resources. Among the lessons I learned: Tenacity, strength, and courage make for better solutions. Don’t be afraid to dream big; stay the course and know that with time and positive intentions, change will occur.” — Sue Birch
Colleen Colarelli, M.P.A., B.A.
President and CEO
Girls Incorporated of Metro Denver
Colleen has a BA in Social Work from Colorado State University and an MPA from the University of New Mexico. Prior to joining Girls Inc. in 2001, she worked for several large nonprofits in Colorado and New Mexico as a development director and an associate executive director. As a Fellow, she developed her skills as a social entrepreneur and broadened her capacity for strategic thinking. She had particular interest in exploring alternative approaches for generating financial support for her organization.
“To say that this has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my professional career is an understatement. As a result of my participation, I have new knowledge about the deep leadership potential that exists within me. Through continuous practice in the techniques that I have learned, I will discover my truth and authenticity which are at the heart of my journey. To truly tap your leadership potential, you must go inside yourself.” — Colleen Colarelli
Kevin Seggelke
President & CEO
Food Bank of the Rockies
Kevin has a BA in History and English from St. John’s University and a J.D. from the William Mitchell College of Law. Prior to his current position, he worked in the private sector including a 10-year stint as VP/General Manager/Division Director of Cub Foods for the Wisconsin and Colorado Divisions. He believes that FBR can operate more efficiently - and can help their partner agencies operate more efficiently - through collaboration and leveraging of resources. He used his Fellowship to implement best practices gleaned through research, site visits and interviews with nonprofit and business leaders.
“The Livingston Fellowship has had a tremendous impact on me. It forced me to take a critical look into my personal management style, my values and the skills necessary to move my organization forward. As I met with business leaders across the country, I learned that leaders keep on learning. As one said to me ‘when you’re through learning, you’re through!’ The most unanticipated experience I had was being asked to join a select group of national food bankers on America’s Second Harvest strategic planning team because of contacts I’d made in my site visits.” — Kevin Seggelke
Jamie Van Leeuwen, Ph.D.
Project Manager
Denver’s Road Home
Jamie has a Ph.D. from University of Colorado School of Public Affairs, a BA in Psychology/Pre-Med from Creighton University, a Master of Public Health (MPH), and an MA in Sociology from Tulane. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director of Development and Public Affairs at Urban Peak. Through the Fellowship, he explored strategies and policies at the local, state, national and international levels to help the public, private, and nonprofit sectors work together to address complex societal issues related to poverty.
“I went into the Livingston Fellowship expecting to gain some incredible experiences that would help me to serve as a better leader and steward for the poor. That is only a miniscule representation of what happened as part of this experience. Instead, I walk away from this experience humbled by what it takes to be a leader and a steward for the poor. I graduate from this fellowship in complete awe of the courage and audacity that it takes to really take a stand and to do the unthinkable; knowing that sometimes even the greatest leaders are not remotely prepared for what awaits them.” — Jamie Van Leeuwen
Chip Walton
Producing Artistic Director
Curious Theatre Company
Chip has a BA in Theatre from Miami of Ohio University, an MA in Theatre from the University of Colorado, and has completed the coursework for a Ph.D. in Theatre at CU. Prior to founding Curious Theatre Company in 1997, Chip worked as an executive director, producer, and actor in other arts organizations. He used his Fellowship to explore how to grow a small non-profit organization into a mid-sized organization while keeping the mission, vision and core values central and vibrant. He pursued a dual track for the fellowship that combined field-based professional development and personal leadership development.
“This fellowship has given me a deeper and more comprehensive understanding of what a leader truly is, and what an important role leadership plays in the success of an organization. I’ve learned that leadership requires agility, patience, insight, experience and vision; it also requires brutal honesty and assessment, both with yourself and others in the organization. And it requires a significant level of trust from every level, which can only be earned through the right blend of fearlessness and humility.” — Chip Walton