From DJ Whetter, CEO, CiviCO
As we step into an exciting new chapter, I want to take a moment to express our collective gratitude for Xan Pearson’s exceptional leadership and to share the latest updates on our strategy and purpose. The past eight months partnering with Xan have been transformative, and her transition from CEO of CTLF to Senior Strategic Advisor, CTLF CEO Emeritus, and Chair of the CTLF Advisory Board marks a significant milestone in our collective journey.
Xan Pearson’s leadership has been instrumental in shaping CTLF into the impactful community it is today. Her vision and commitment to HEART-Level Leadership™—Humble, Engaged, Authentic, Regenerative, and True to Service—have left an indelible mark on our organization. As she steps into her new role, Xan will continue to contribute her expertise and passion, ensuring a smooth and successful integration with CiviCO.
Since joining CiviCO as its new CEO in January, I have had the privilege of connecting with many alumni and supporters. What stands out is the genuine care and commitment each of you has for one another and for the organizations and communities that make up Colorado. Over the past few months, our staff, board members, and many of you have embarked on a transformative journey with Haley Rushing of the Purpose Institute to refine how we communicate our mission and collaborate effectively.
I am thrilled to announce that after extensive conversations, engagement, and deliberation, we are clearer than ever about why CiviCO exists—To ignite and unite cultures of leadership for a better Colorado. Our aim is to inspire, empower, and create the space necessary for impactful work to flourish. By sparking enthusiasm and commitment to service, cultivating the mindset and skills required for effective engagement, and fostering a conducive environment for collective leadership, we enable individuals to lead in trustworthy and impactful ways.
Our goal is to bring diverse communities together around shared challenges and opportunities within our state, fostering collaboration and driving progress where no single person or sector could succeed alone. Central to our mission is the belief that leadership is an inclusive activity, accessible to all Coloradans. We champion a collective approach to leadership, emphasizing the importance of working together to achieve true progress. By engaging, developing, convening, and activating HEART-Level Leadership™ across the non-profit, public, and private sectors, we aim to advance the common good and enhance our entire state.
The nitty gritty details of how we talk about this integrated organization are still being worked out. We’re midway through a process with CTLF Advisory Board Member, Jaclyn Gruber, CEO, M33/Ivy that will lead to a joint website, clear promotional language and better understanding of our combined work.
In the meantime, we will continue to develop and grow the programs you know well from CTLF. This new purpose sits seamlessly above programs such as Strategic Connections and WiseWomen, with building cultures of leadership clearly at the center of the work. And we’re working hard to update and grow some of the programs and events that have been the cornerstone of CiviCO: The Colorado Governors Fellowship, The Colorado Citizenship Medals, and ReThink Purpose Hours (once-a-month happy hours) focused on engaging community and state-level topics from a private, public, and community sector perspective.
Be on the lookout for some exciting news and events in the coming months! One addition I previewed in a recent email to the CiviCO community is a broader membership model we’ll be piloting in the coming months. It’s a model that CTLF already uses (so no change for most of you) and CiviCO will be adopting and growing. For CiviCO to meet its purpose and activate its partners and alumni all over the state, we need to take a more intentional approach to our community. For cultures of leadership to unite, we need to convene and activate our alumni and supporters. And to make that happen, we need a model that is sustainable.
As we move forward, I want to close by again extending my heartfelt thanks to Xan for her outstanding leadership and welcome her continued guidance as we embark on this new chapter together. I am also here to support you during this transition. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact me directly. I am eager to connect with you and ensure that we continue to foster the strong community bonds that make CTLF and CiviCO so special.
Thank you for your ongoing support and commitment to our shared mission. Together, we will ignite and unite cultures of leadership for a better Colorado.
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