Past Alumni Award Recipients

Learn more about the past Alumni Award Recipients and what earned them a record of distinction with the University of Colorado Denver and/or in their profession, community, and society at large.

Jennifer Leitsch MS, MBA '08 | Business School Distinguished Alumni Award

Apr 11, 2023

CU Denver is proud to honor Jennifer Leitsch MS, MBA '08 with the 2023 Business School Distinguished Alumni Award for her dedication in advancing sustainability strategies.

Jennifer is an accomplished sustainability executive and recognized thought leader with more than 15 years of experience leading environmental, social and governance (ESG) strategy, programs, and reporting. As a Managing Director in the Climate Change and Sustainability Services practice at Ernst & Young (EY), she leads engagements advancing sustainability strategy, climate-related initiatives, and ESG reporting with clients across the country.

Jennifer is the former VP, Corporate Responsibility for CBRE, the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, where she was key in advancing their global ESG strategy. Prior to CBRE, Jennifer developed, implemented and reported on ESG strategy and programs at Prologis, the global leader in logistics real estate.

Jennifer serves on the board of directors for United Nations Global Compact Network USA, the local network chapter of the UNGC. Jennifer is a lecturer at the University of Colorado Denver Business School, where she teaches the graduate-level elective Accounting and Finance for Sustainability. She serves on the University of Colorado Denver Business School Board of Advisors as well as the University of Colorado Denver Business School Managing for Sustainability Advisory Council, which she chaired for seven years.

Jennifer has an MBA and MS in marketing from the University of Colorado Denver and a bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering from the University of Iowa. She was named to the DiversityFIRST Top 50 Corporate Social Responsibility in 2021, Assent Top 100 Corporate Social Responsibility Influence Leaders in 2020 and 2019, and Environment + Energy Leader 100 in 2019.

All Alumni Award Recipients Lists

The Mack Easton Distinguished Award is the CU Denver Alumni Board’s highest honor. It is presented to an individual who has demonstrated a long-term commitment to serving CU Denver, its students, and alumni. The award was developed by the CU Denver Alumni community in memory of D. Mack Easton, the Dean of the "Denver Extension Center" in the early 1960's. His vision paved the way for the extension to become the diverse and dynamic urban research university it is today. Nominees may be drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2024 – Nga Vương-Sandoval ’98, MCJ ’02
• 2023 – Lola Ann Salazar MA '92
• 2021 – Charlie Ferguson '85, MS '87, PhD
• 2020 – Barb Weiske ’84, MPA ’92
• 2018 – Andrea Wagner MA ’14
• 2016 – Cathy Kaledo ’92
• 2013 – Gedeon LaFarge MArch ’90
• 2007 – Karen Niparko
• 2006 – Ted Schaefer MBA ’87
• 2005 – Tom Lamming
• 2004 – James L. Basey
• 2003 – Gary Meggison ’81, MBA ’94
• 2002 – Joseph Davis and Carol Gossard
• 2001 – Neal L. Thomas, Jr.
• 2000 – John D. Anderson
• 1999 – Charles Gallagher
• 1998 – Rutt Bridges and John Mehalchin
• 1997 – William (Bill) Davis
• 1996 – Roger J. Steinbecker
• 1995 – R. Gale Daniel
• 1993 – Paul Bartlett
• 1992 – Philip Milstein MURP ’73
• 1991 – Terry Fischer ’77
• 1990 – Lael Porter ’82, MA ’86
• 1989 – Shirley Konkel
• 1988 – Jerry Seacuse
• 1987 – George Dikeou
• 1986 – Eugene Sternberg
• 1985 – Frank "Mike" Foster
• 1984 – Mark Gallegos MA ’77, MPA ’79
• 1983 – Harry Cullis
• 1982 – Joe Keen
• 1981 – Bob Grahm
• 1980 – Edwin Banks
• 1979 – Iona Wakefield

Graduate of the Last Decade Award - The G.O.L.D. Award recognizes graduates of the last ten years for their accomplishments in their career, service, and/or volunteer efforts that have brought honor to individuals and CU Denver.

• 2024 – Donalyn White ’16, MA ’19, MA ’22
• 2023 – Patrick Browne '10, MA '18
• 2021 – Monica C Cutler MPA '18
• 2020 – Gage Chapel MBA ’15
• 2018 – Ian Kellet ’13
• 2017 – Stephanie Filali Moutei ’14

The CU Denver College of Architecture and Planning honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Julie VandenBerg Snow ’70
• 2023 – David Dowall MURP '74, PhD

The CU Denver College of Arts & Media honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Antonio Cicarelli ’03
• 2023 – Courtney Ozaki '06

The CU Denver Business School honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Robin Thurston MS ’99
• 2023 – Jennifer Leitsch MS, MBA '08

The CU Denver School of Education & Human Development honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Jordan Arellanes MA ’15
• 2023 – Lisa R. Roy MA '96, EdD '16

The CU Denver College of Engineering, Design and Computing honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Albert Ruckman ’70
• 2023 – Akram Atallah '84, MS '86, MBA '94

The CU Denver College of Liberal Arts and Sciences honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Daniel Gilbert ’81
• 2023 – Erik Lucero '05, PhD

The CU Denver School of Public Affairs and Sciences honors an exceptional graduate who, by their distinguished career and service to the university, state, nation, or world, has brought honor to CU Denver, their community, and themselves.

• 2024 – Brandy Reitter MPA ’08
• 2023 – Joe Pelle MCJ '87

Recipients of Past Alumni Awards

The awards below were re-envisioned by the CU Denver Alumni Board in 2018 and are incorporated in the current slate of alumni awards.

The Alumni Advocacy Award is presented to an individual or organization that has championed the causes of higher education across the state of Colorado. Nominees may be drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2021 – Todd Cordrey MPA '10, PhD '23
• 2020 – Curtis Esquibel MPA ’16

The Alumni Appreciation Award recognized notable contributions that brought outstanding benefits to CU Denver. This award was given only in the years in which a deserving candidate emerges. Nominees were drawn from the community at-large and need not be alumni.

• 2017 – Travis Luther MA ’11
• 2015 – David Dowall MURP ’74
• 2014 – David Lacey ’76
• 2011 – Bill Vidal ’73
• 2009 – Diane Messamore ’73
• 2008 – Don McClure
• 2006 – Marianne Fearn
• 2005 – Ginny Williams
• 2004 – Donald G White
• 2003 – Stella Yu
• 2002 – Rock Bottom Restaurant & Brewery
• 2001 – John and Anna Sie
• 2000 – B. Thomas Arnberg and Albert W. Knott
• 1999 – Thomas Shane
• 1998 – Grover Hall and Gary Susnara
• 1997 – Richard H. and Pamela S. Bard
• 1996 – Fu Hua Chen
• 1995 – Carolyn Hamil Henderson ’81
• 1993 – Temple Hoyne Buell
• 1992 – John and Mercedes Peebles
• 1990 – Bob Baker

The Alumni Award for Excellence is presented to an alumnus/a who has excelled in their career field, and in service to the community, in support of CU Denver. Former students who did not receive a degree from CU Denver may also be considered. Non-degreed nominees must have attended CU Denver for a minimum of one academic year, or completed a certificate program, to be eligible for this award. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2021 – Keri Ungemah MS '02
• 2020 – Susan Wood MURP ’98
• 2018 – Kelly Hodges ’02

The Alumni Leadership Award recognized a person's remarkable ability to effect positive change in an individual or organization within the CU Denver community. Nominees were drawn from the community at large and need not be alumni.

• 2016 – Phil Harding ’86
• 2014 – Maria Uribe PhD ’04
• 2013 – Karen Sugar MA ’08
• 2012 – Mayor Michael Hancock MPA ’95
• 2008 – Jack Gilbraith ’82 and Cynthia (Cindy) Stevenson
• 2007 – Patty Fontneau
• 2006 – Tony Bolazina and Carol A. Wilson
• 2005 – Richard Koeppe and Virginia Guthrie
• 2003 – John Youngquist MA ’95
• 2002 – Katharine Conroy Whalen
• 2001 – Richard Kelley and Linda Van Gilder Kelley
• 2000 – Carol Heller, Walter Isenberg, and Scott Steward
• 1999 – Frank Puzio
• 1998 – Diane Greenlee

The Alumni Legislative Award is presented to a legislator who has assisted in the advancement of CU Denver and higher education in general.

• 2016 – Senator Lucía Guzmán
• 2015 – Representative Jovan Melton
• 2014 – Representative Dan Pabon
• 2013 – Representative Crisanta Duran
• 2012 – Senator Mary Hodge
• 2011 – Representative Cheri Gerou ’91
• 2010 – Representative Nancy Todd
• 2009 – Representative Mark Ferrandino
• 2008 – Senator Josh Penry
• 2007 – Representative Terrance Carroll
• 2006 – Senator Ken Gordon
• 2005 – Senator Sue Windels
• 2004 – Representative Tom Plant
• 2002 – Senator Ronald Teck MPA ’00
• 2001 – Senator Pat Pascoe
• 2000 – Senator Dottie Wham
• 1999 – Representative Jennifer Veiga
• 1998 – Representative Debbie Allen
• 1997 – Senator Joan Johnson
• 1996 – Representative Anthony (Tony) Grampsas
• 1995 – Representative Elsie Lacy
• 1994 – Representative Norma Anderson
• 1993 – Senator Donald Ament
• 1992 – Representative Betty Neale
• 1991 – Senator Peggy Reeves RMLP ’82
• 1990 – Senator Regis Groff
• 1989 – Representative Jeannie G. Reeser
• 1988 – Senator Paul Powers
• 1987 – Senator Al Meiklejohn

The Alumni Recognition Award was awarded to an alumnus/alumna who had excelled in his/her career field, as well as in service to the community. Former students who did not receive an official degree from CU Denver were also considered.

• 2017 – Judith Martinez ’84, MURP ’01
• 2016 – Mitch Dickman ’05
• 2015 – Rick Alden ’96 and Kevin Patterson MURP, MPA ’97
• 2012 – Kelly Brough MBA ’89
• 2010 – Dave Baker ’82 and Ellie Caulkins ’77
• 2008 – Grady Cope ’88
• 2005 – Al Stecklein MBA ’79 and Mary Williams
• 2004 – Richard von Luhrte
• 2003 – William (Bill) Steitz MA ’90
• 2002 – Carol Barber ’81
• 2001 – Elizabeth Cohill MPA ’88 and Barbara M. Schroeder MA ’87
• 2000 – Ellen Fisher ’74, MA ’78 and Mary J. Gearhart ’79
• 1999 – Linda Pryor MPA ’91
• 1998 – Ted Gavrilis ’77
• 1997 – Ronald (Ron) Montoya ’72
• 1996 – Steven E. Leatherman
• 1995 – Judy Ward MBA ’83
• 1994 – Margaret Cary MBA ’89 and W. Grover Coors ’76
• 1993 – Jane Prancan MURP ‘75
• 1992 – Edward S. Adams, Jr.
• 1991 – Lauren Casteel ’77
• 1990 – Mary Lee Beauregard MPA ’83
• 1989 – Peter B. Teets
• 1988 – Mark Solano ’78
• 1987 – Diana Boulter ’73, MPA ’77

The Alumni Partner Appreciation Award recognizes alumni within organizations who have demonstrated a commitment to CU Denver and its mission through opportunities for current students and alumni. This may include, but is not limited to, hiring pathways for CU Denver alumni or internships for current students. Current members of the CU Denver Alumni Board are not eligible.

• 2021 – Joe Rice MPA '06
• 2020 – Chris Herr MPA ’17
• 2018 – Jim Paradise ’98

Tools

Resources

Schools & Colleges

Campus Affiliates

Past Alumni Award Recipients

Jennifer Leitsch MS, MBA '08 | Business School Distinguished Alumni Award

All Alumni Award Recipients Lists

Recipients of Past Alumni Awards

CU Denver Alumni

Past Alumni Award Recipients

Jennifer Leitsch MS, MBA '08 | Business School Distinguished Alumni Award

All Alumni Award Recipients Lists

Mack Easton Distinguished Alumni Award

GOLD Award

College of Architecture and Planning Distinguished Alumni Award

College of Arts & Media Distinguished Alumni Award

Business School Distinguished Alumni Award

School of Education & Human Development Distinguished Alumni Award

College of Engineering, Design and Computing Distinguished Alumni Award

College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Distinguished Alumni Award

School of Public Affairs Distinguished Alumni Award

Recipients of Past Alumni Awards

Alumni Advocacy Award

Alumni Appreciation Award

Alumni Award for Excellence

Alumni Leadership Award

Alumni Legislative Award

Alumni Recognition Award

Alumni Partner Appreciation Award

CU Denver Alumni