Tuesday, March 1  (Private event, invitation only)

Part 1: Portfolio Performance

8:30 – 9:30 a.m.

• Welcome, opening comments – Kelly Dunkin
• Role of Finance and Investment Committee – Dale Martin
• 2021 Review and 2022 Capital Market Outlook – Robert Morris
• Closing comments – Ken Kirwin

Part 2: Nonprofit Capacity Building

9:40-10:40 a.m.

Following a short break, get inspired during this TedX-style session featuring incredible guests sharing their experiences and insights into nonprofit capacity building. Learn how others like you have secured their organization’s futures and the steps you can take now to secure yours. Presentations are followed by a panel-style Q&A.

For the Birds

Karl Brummert, Executive Director, Denver Audubon

With humor and wisdom, hear the story of one little nonprofit that could and how they built their endowment with a few employees and handful of motivated volunteers. This nonprofit is not only protecting birds, wildlife and their habitats, they’re protecting their own future. Discover what they’re doing and how you can learn from their experience.

Taking Action

Pam Brier, Executive Director

Planning for the future is nothing new for The Action Center. They’ve had an endowment for years and in 2020 opened a Long-Term Designated Fund to help buy a permanent warehouse to help them provide immediate and compassionate response to those in our community experiencing hardship. Hear the lessons they’ve learned, the steps they are taking to secure their future, and be inspired to discover how you can do it, too!

Dare to be Daring

Kelly Dunkin, President & CEO, Community First Foundation

We aren’t your average community foundation. We see ourselves differently. We champion the right to be who we are by daring to be different. We push our limits, explore new things, and pick ourselves up when we stumble. Being daring is an advantage we embrace because we are more aware about how we can contribute to the world with stronger and healthier relationships. How are we daring? We share the ways!

Speakers

Kelly Dunkin
President & CEO, Community First Foundation

Kelly Dunkin joined Community First Foundation as President and CEO in February 2019. Previously she worked for a variety of nonprofit, business and social impact organizations. These include 11 years at The Colorado Health Foundation in Denver, where she grew into the role of Vice President of Philanthropy, and 10.10.10, where she served as National Director. 10.10.10 is a project of Colorado Nonprofit Development Center and inspires entrepreneurs to solve 10 “wicked” social problems. Kelly also served as a consultant for businesses, nonprofits and social impact startups as well as projects in Lima, Peru, where she developed her Spanish-language skills. Kelly’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts in English from Miami University, an Elementary Education Licensure from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Colorado at Denver.

Dale Martin
Board Member, Chair Finance & Investment Committee

Dale joined the Community First Foundation Board of Directors in January 2021. He serves as the Board treasurer and chair of the Finance and Investment Committee. Dale brings three decades of finance and investment experience to Community First Foundation. He is the Director of Private Markets at the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado. He attended the University of Denver and earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Administration and a Master’s of Science in Finance.

Robert Morris
Senior Vice President, Graystone Consulting

Robert Morris has been affiliated with Graystone Consulting since 2003. As an Institutional Consultant, Robert’s primary focus is investment manager research and due diligence. He closely liaises with Morgan Stanley Graystone’s information resources group to ensure that clients are working with only best-of-class investment managers. Robert is also responsible for assisting clients draft investment policy statements, coordinating asset allocation recommendations with the Investment Strategy Committee and assisting clients with their implementation. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and an MBA both from Wichita State University. Robert is based out of Graystone Consulting’s Wichita, Kansas office and has over 15 years of investment experience, all of which have been with Graystone Consulting. Robert specializes in portfolio construction and management, as well as alternative investments.

Kenneth Kirwin
Chief Investment Officer & Chief Operating Officer, Community First Foundation

Kenneth Kirwin joined the Foundation in December 2008 after serving as Controller/CFO for the Tennyson Center for Children. He has served in a financial capacity in the nonprofit sector since 1991 at organizations such as Denver Rescue Mission and New Ventures of Regis University. Ken was raised in Colorado and received a bachelor of science in professional accounting and business administration/ finance from Regis University. He received an M.B.A. in finance at Loyola University in Chicago. He is a certified public accountant.

Karl Brummert
Executive Director, Denver Audubon

Karl has been with Denver Audubon since 2008, serving first as Audubon Center & Education Director and then became the Executive Director in 2010. While a Colorado native, his career is an adventurous one on both coasts. Prior to Denver Audubon, he was a production coordinator for Swell Productions, Inc. and DisneyNature in LA, an education coordinator for Mount Rainier National Park in WA, the education director at an Audubon Center on Long Island, and the youth programs coordinator for the New York Botanical Garden in the Bronx.

Pam Brier
Executive Director, The Action Center

Pam joined The Action Center as the executive director in 2018. Prior to this position, she served as director of operations for the Women’s Bean Project, executive director of Beacon House in Washington DC, and as the founding CEO of the Baltimore Urban Debate League. Her career began as a presidential management intern at the US Department of Health and Human Services, led her to a stint in social work, and then on to several national leadership positions.