You're Invited: 2025 Denver Neighborhood Leadership Summit

📅 September 18, 2025

We're elevating local voices, and sparking ideas that strengthen our communities. Whether you're a longtime advocate or a new neighborhood organizer, this is your opportunity to build relationships and help shape the future of our city.

💻 Virtual Leadership Summit: Neighborhood Organization Training & Civic Engagement Lab

September 18 – Online (9:30am - 3:30pm)

Join us for the Online Neighborhood Leadership Summit, a dynamic virtual gathering designed to empower neighborhood leaders, volunteers, and community organizers with the tools and strategies to strengthen their neighborhood organizations. This summit brings together grassroots changemakers to explore four critical areas of neighborhood leadership. Whether you're building your first fundraising campaign or working to boost member engagement, these sessions will offer practical insights and proven techniques you can use right away.

Don’t miss this opportunity to network with peers and leave with fresh ideas to energize your work.

Neighborhood Leadership Summit Sponsors Include:

Denver Office of Climate Action, Sustainability & Resiliency
City Councilwoman Amanda Sawyer
City Councilman Paul Kashmann

Neighborhood Leadership Summit Media Partners ~ Colaboradores en la Prensa

Bucket List Community Cafe

Keynote Speaker: Kelly Bull

Kelly brings a deep-rooted commitment to community engagement to her role as Executive Director of "Hey Neighbor", Colorado Springs collaborative neighborhood engagement program. Hailing from a tight-knit neighborhood in Georgia, Kelly understands the transformative power of strong community bonds. Her journey includes graduation from Leadership Pikes Peak's Signature Program and Hey Neighbor's Neighborhood University, where she honed her advocacy skills and nurtured her passion for vibrant communities.

Hey Neighbor empowers residents to strengthen their communities through connection and collaboration. Built on a structure supported by city funding and philanthropic partners, it leverages strong relationships to support its essential programs—ranging from resident-led project grants to leadership trainings and neighborhood celebrations—turning local ideas into lasting impact.

Special Guest Speaker: Denver Mayor Mike Johnston

Mike Johnston is the 46th Mayor of Denver. A former teacher, principal, and state senator, he has dedicated his career to expanding opportunity and strengthening communities. As mayor, he is focused on tackling homelessness, housing affordability, public safety, and building a more inclusive city for all Denver residents. He is committed to empowering residents and investing in safer, more connected, and more vibrant communities across the city.

Neighborhood Learning Labs

Session 1# Need Some Dough $$$? ~ Neighborhood Focused Fundraising Strategies (10:30-11:20am)

speakers ~ Carleen Clearwater (Kickass Marketing & Golden Triangle Creative District) & Kelsey Gano (Mayfair Neighbors)

Session 2# Let's Party! ~ Social Events & New Member Strategies (11:30-12:20pm)

speakers ~ Ann Hershfeldt (HUNI) & Dale Rudolph (CCNNA)

Session 3# Who Comes Next? ~ Board Recruitment and Succession Planning (12:30-1:20pm)

speaker ~ Kwame Spearman (ZIM Consulting)

Session 4# Making Friends ~ Community & Coalition Building (1:30-2:20pm)

speakers ~ Jeanne Granville (Sun Valley Community Coalition), Keith Meyer (Denver INC) & Ean Tafoya (GreenLatinos)

Session 5# Looking Ahead ~ Updates to Denver's RNO Ordinance (2:30-3:20pm)

speakers ~ RADIAN & City Council Offices