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Melanie manages the administration, programming, and strategic planning for the Mizel Institute’s two centers – the Mizel Museum and the CELL. She has been with the Institute since 2008. Melanie’s vast accomplishments include receiving the FBI Director’s 2012 Community Leadership Award and being named one of the Denver Business Journal’s Top 40 under 40. Melanie received her M.A. in International Management and Foreign Affairs from the Thunderbird School of Global Management.
Tom ensures proper execution of the Mizel Institute’s (including the Mizel Museum and the CELL) strategic plan. He has held various positions with the organization since joining in 2014. Tom received his M.A. in International Security with a Certificate in Homeland Security from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. He received his B.A. in International Relations and Economics from Connecticut College.
Elizabeth supports the development of new educational initiatives, updates existing programming, and assists in implementing digital and in-person programs. She has been part of the team since 2017. Elizabeth holds an M.A. in Peace and Justice Studies from the University of San Diego and a B.A. in Anthropology and Journalism from Ohio University. She is a Certified Associate in Project Management with the Project Management Institute.
Jacqueline supports the marketing team’s planning and implementation of educational programs and events. She joined the team in 2022. Jacqueline is a highly passionate writer who believes in telling stories that empower the community. She holds an M.A. in Writing from Edinburgh Napier University and a B.A. in English Literature and Political Science from Denison University.
Leslie supports the organization’s educational programs. Leslie joined the team in 2023. She brings experience implementing various cross-cultural programs, managing K-12 educational programming, and service work with AmeriCorps. Leslie earned her Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership and Change from Fielding Graduate University, with a special focus on her educational theory, Action Leadership for Adolescents.
Marshall is responsible for day-to-day managerial and administrative functions and database support. He joined the organization in 2024 with database and systems administration experience at numerous nonprofits and museums across the Denver metro area and beyond. Prior to his nonprofit work, Marshall served in the United States Navy and worked with a disaster relief and recovery organization throughout the U.S. west. Marshall completed his M.A. in history at Metropolitan State University of Denver.
James develops and teaches education programs, tours, and curricula. He has been with the team since 2021. With over 20 years of experience in secondary, higher, and public history education, James brings vast expertise to the organization, including international human rights law, diplomatic history, and teaching a college-level History of Terrorism course. James is a proud graduate of the University of Montana-Missoula, where he received both his M.A. and B.A. in History.
Libby plans, develops, and implements marketing and communications strategies. She joined the organization in 2024 and has a proven track record of making meaningful contributions to the nonprofit sector through marketing, project management, graphic design, and events. Libby holds an M.S. in Applied Economics from Oregon State University, a B.S. in Economics from Washington State University, a certificate in graphic design from Bellevue College, and a certificate in project management from Cornell University.
Samantha specializes in fundraising efforts, administrative efficiency, and data collection. They have been with the organization since 2021. Samantha spearheads communication with the Board of Directors, manages fundraising efforts, provides oversight of program and event operations, and executes administrative and personal support for the CEO and other senior leadership. Samantha graduated from Colorado Christian University with a B.A. in English Literature Research.
Caitlyn supports the development and implementation of the organization’s education programming and assists with school and community partner outreach. She joined the team in 2023. Caitlyn brings experience in educational programming, community engagement, and research to support the organization’s efforts. She earned her M.A. in Peace and Justice from the University of San Diego Kroc School and a B.A. in Religious Studies from Linfield University.
Rudolf assists with the research, development, and implementation of new and existing programs across the organization. Rodolf joined the team 2022. Rudolf received his M.A. in International Security from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver, and a B.A. in Political Science from the University of New Mexico.
Samantha supports database management and administration of programs and events. She has been with the organization since 2022. Samantha graduated with a B.A. in History from Brigham Young University.
Magdalena delivers impactful messages to all ages and communities as part of the education team. She has been with the organization since 2022. Magdalena holds an M.A. in International Security, specializing in human security and human rights, from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. She also holds a B.A. in International Studies and Italian from the University of Denver.
Meg is essential to the education team, providing programming opportunities for elementary and high school-aged students, developing engaging curricula, and building partnerships with fellow educators across the front range. She joined the team in 2019. She is passionate about the work to celebrate diversity, spread messages of equality and equity, and combat hatred in all its forms.
Andy helps ensure the organization is operating at its best. He has been with the team since 2023. Andy has a passion for helping others and a drive to make change a reality through his roles in the financial, service, and nonprofit sectors. Taking the skills and knowledge gained from his experiences, Andy hopes to help improve the lives of those in his community.
Bailey coordinates various events for the organization, joining the team in 2022. She has years of experience in the security and public safety fields. Bailey holds an M.A. in International Security from the University of Denver, specializing in Intelligence and Counterterrorism. She also has a B.A. in Criminal Sociology and Psychology from Auburn University.
Ivy supports all areas of the organization, joining the team in 2024. Ivy is a first-year graduate student at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies at the University of Denver. She is pursuing a Master’s in International Studies, specializing in international security. She is also working on certificates in Homeland Security and Intelligence Analysis.
Bash is a recognized expert on defense issues, intelligence matters, the Middle East, China, Russia, North Korea, U.S. counterterrorism operations, cybersecurity, and current counterintelligence investigations. During his time as chief of staff, Bash worked on a number of key initiatives, including the creation of a new defense strategy, formation of two defense budgets, the drawdown of two wars, counterterrorism operations, a new cyber strategy, and a range of sensitive intelligence operations.
Sanderson leads a multi-national team serving clients on geopolitics, terrorism, and frontier market opportunities. He is a member of the Middle East Institute’s Counterterrorism and Extremism Advisory Council and is co-chair of the Councilors Program at the Atlantic Council. He has authored opinion pieces in The New York Times and Washington Post, testifies before the U.S. Congress, and teaches courses for the U.S. Intelligence Community.
A preeminent voice on international affairs, McMaster is recognized for his leadership in the Gulf War, Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Named on of TIME’s “100 Most Influential People in the World” and Fortune’s “50 World’s Greatest Leaders,” McMaster is renowned as a “warrior-intellectual.” He is the author of two important New York Times bestselling books on national security, Battlegrounds and Dereliction of Duty, and has published in Foreign Affairs, The Wall Street Journal, and The New York Times.
Hannah supports all areas of the organization, joining the team in 2024. She is a first-year graduate student at the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, University of Denver. Hannah is working on her Master’s in International Studies, focusing on conflict in the Middle East.
Dr. Rice was the 66th United States Secretary of State and President George W. Bush’s National Security Advisor during his first term. During the administration of George H.W. Bush, Rice also served as Senior Director of Soviet and East European Affairs. While an International Affairs Fellow of the Council on Foreign Relations, Rice served as Special Assistant to the Director of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. She is the current Tad and Dianne Taube Director and Senior Fellow on Public Policy at the Hoover Institution, a professor in Global Business and Economy at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. She is a founding partner of Rice, Hadley, Gates & Manuel LLC.
Caitlin Navratil started at the CELL in 2021 and is responsible for supporting CELL marketing and special projects. She is currently finishing her MA in International Studies at the University of Denver, specializing in Intelligence Analysis. She holds a B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Bethel University. Caitlin is a 2021 and 2022 Boren Fellow and a Returned Peace Corps Volunteer.
Becci supports developing, implementing, and evaluating educational programs. She has been with the team since 2022. Becci brings her experiences in nonprofit management, mental health, K-12 education, and community engagement to the organization to ensure we meet the needs of students, stakeholders, and partners. Becci earned her Masters in Social Work from the University of Denver, specializing in Children and Youth: Risks and Healthy Development.
Rick Sapkin is a Founder and Managing Principal of Edgemark Development, with more than 30 years of commercial real estate experience with a strong presence through the Midwest, Rocky Mountains and western United States. Sapkin has been involved in various real estate developments, including several million square feet of retail development and, more recently, high-end self-storage facilities. He has established a proven track record for entrepreneurial business transactions specializing in commercial development, redevelopment, and urban projects. Sapkin received his B.S. in Business Administration in 1983 from the University of Denver.
Blair Richardson is Chairman and CEO of Bow River Capital and has held executive positions in international sales and trading of public equity and debt securities for nearly 25 years. In 2011, Richardson was named one of the most influential people in Denver by 5280 Magazine (“The 5280 Fifty”). Richardson was with Morgan Stanley and Company from 1987 to 1995, serving as President of Morgan Stanley Japan in Tokyo, Vice Chairman of Morgan Stanley Asia in Hong Kong, and Managing Director of the Equity and Fixed Income Department in New York. Prior to forming Bow River Capital, Richardson was Managing Partner of B.E. Richardson Investments, which invested in a variety of industries and real estate throughout North America. Between 1996 and 2002, his company made over 20 private equity investments. Richardson is the founding partner of Bow River Capital, which today manages over $688 million of AUM and is on their 7th fund.
Michael Pollak, co-founder of Hyde Park Jewelers, started by selling turquoise and Native American jewelry after class on the lawn of the University of Denver in 1973, where he graduated with a BSBA. He has spent extensive time in New York, Geneva, Vicenza and Hong Kong, cultivating his skills, knowledge and expertise in gemology, fine jewelry and Swiss timepieces. With more than 40 years in retail management, developing five regional, luxury jewelry stores, Pollak became Chief Executive Officer of Hyde Park Jewelers in 2007. He has received numerous industry awards, including induction into the National Jeweler Retailer Hall of Fame in 2008 and Ernst & Young’s “Entrepreneur of the Year Award” in 1999. Pollack has held board positions with Jewelers of America, Natural Color Diamond Association and the Mizel Institute. He is a co-founder of Diamonds in the Rough, a non-profit organization to support the efforts of youth-based nonprofits and local charities.
Courtney L. Mizel is a Principal at Mizel Consulting, where she has worked for over 20 years. In this role, Mizel advises companies in various industries on matters relating to business management and strategy, including operations, business development, marketing, as well as legal matters. She is also a Founding Director of the CELL. Mizel is involved in a number of non-profit activities, including serving on the Boards of Directors of Zimmer Children’s Museum, Sharsheret National and JQ International. Mizel received her Bachelor of Science in Economics with honors from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and her Juris Doctor from the University of Southern California’s Gould School of Law. She is the daughter of the MDC Holdings, Inc., Executive Chairman of the Board Larry A. Mizel, and she joined its Board of Directors in 2017. Her legal and business achievements and diverse-yet-highly-relevant experiences provide the Board with enhanced business, operational, governance and legal perspectives.
Following graduation from the University of Denver with an accounting degree, Andy Miller worked as a CPA for the international accounting firm of Coopers & Lybrand. In 1980, he joined with four other partners as Loup-Miller Development Company, which designed and developed shopping centers, apartment communities, office buildings and warehouses across the United States. After the real estate debacle of the 1980s, Miller co-founded Sevo Miller, Inc., in 1990. Sevo Miller built, managed, marketed, leased and sold commercial real estate for many institutions and third-party owners across the country. In 1993, Miller and David Frishman co-founded Realty Funding Group, a mortgage and finance company that has acted as a mortgage broker and mortgage banker for numerous commercial real estate projects across the U.S. In 2009, Miller and David Frishman founded Miller Frishman Group, which specializes in multi-family apartments and retail shopping centers.
David D. Mandarich has been associated with the MDC Holdings, Inc., since 1977 and has served as President and Chief Executive Officer since October 2020. In 1999, he was elected President and Chief Operating Officer, a title he also held in 1996. Mandarich was previously elected Co-Chief Operating Officer in 1994 and Executive Vice President of Real Estate in 1993. He was a Director from 1980 until 1989 and has been a Director continuously since 1994.
A seasoned leader in business, Jimmy Lustig has executive experience at various companies. He has proven himself to have the entrepreneurial spirit that drives new ideas to success while working within the established frameworks of highly regulated industries. Lustig was previously a shareholder and employee of a commercial bank headquartered in Denver, of which his family members were the majority shareholders and which was later sold to Zions Bank. He also founded GEA Entertainment, a music publishing industry consolidator. Lustig balances his professional career with a variety of charitable endeavors. He and his wife run the Lustig Family Foundation, through which they contribute to numerous organizations and institutions that embody their values. Lustig is proud to do his part in supporting educational, cultural, and social endeavors that will shape generations to come.
Walter Isenberg started Sage more than 30 years ago with partner Zack Neumeyer. As CEO of Sage Hospitality Group, he directs all company operations including management, real estate investment and brand development, with an emphasis on community giving and teaching the next generation of great leaders. Results-driven and creative, Isenberg is a member of the Union Station Alliance, the group responsible for revitalizing Denver Union Station and creating the high-performing Crawford Hotel. He created Sage’s art program which provides locally curated art in newly built or renovated hotels. Isenberg is a member of Marriott International’s Owner Advisory Board and the American Hotel Lodging Association Government Affairs Committee, as well as a board member of Visit Denver, which inducted him into the Denver & Colorado Tourism Hall of Fame in 2010.
