Welcome to the CU Denver Change Makers Alumni website

This newly designed space helps you connect across cohorts with other like-minded individuals who have also completed the fellowship program. We hope you’ll visit regularly to stay informed about future events, learn more about your fellow alumni and stay connected with the Change Makers community.

Explore the site
This site offers a range of features aimed at building connection and community. These include:

  • Events: Stay informed about upcoming events
  • Forum: Engage with other Change Makers alumni through general dialogue or topic-driven exchanges
  • Directory: Access information and profiles about your fellow Change Makers alumni
  • Volunteer: Volunteer with fellow alumni to strengthen connections and help others continue their Change Makers journey

These features will appear as Tabs at the top of the screen after you’ve registered as a site user. To do this, scroll down to the “How to Get Started” section below.

Stay up to date
You’ll also notice posts on the home page to the right of this welcome section. These will be updated regularly to include alumni profiles, inspirational quotes, links to timely resources and updates on the Change Makers program. We encourage you to check back often to stay in the loop.

Note: This is a private site for CU Denver Change Makers alumni. Access to the directory, forum, and other features is available only to registered alumni users

How to get started
To access and use all the site’s features, you’ll need to first register and log in.

  • Register by clicking on the “Login” button in the top right. On the Login page, click “Register” and create a username and password for logging into the site.
  • Build your profile: After logging in, you’ll be taken to a user page where you can add a photo and provide a little information about yourself by clicking on the gear button.
  • Access your account: Once complete, you’ll see your name and photo appear at the top right
  • Return home: To get back to the home page, click on “CU Denver Change Makers Alumni” at the top.

And if you’re looking for information about the Change Makers program itself, visit https://www.ucdenver.edu/change-makers

ALUMNI UPDATES

Stories, resources and news from the Change Makers community

Getting to know Robin Margolin

This is an ongoing series of Change Makers alumni profiles — a chance to get to know one another a little better through stories, reflections and glimpses into life after the program. We’re looking for more alumni to feature, so if you’re willing to be profiled in a future post, please reach out to our site editor, Lisa Schlichtman, at lschlichtman@gmail.com.

Q. What are your hobbies and interests?

A. I love to travel; especially to new places whether it be a long, planned-out trip or a last minute jaunt. I like to be immersed in new cultures and try new things.  

I enjoy being active whether it is just a walk with my beloved dog Pablo, yoga, swimming or some other fitness class. However, I don’t consider myself an athlete. I would never win at anything, but I do love to participate.

Food and cooking have been my passion and my career. I love to cook for friends, family and just about anyone who will enjoy my food. I volunteer at Food Bank of the Rockies in the kitchen, when I can. I love to use my skills and passion for good. 

Lastly, I love to spend time with my partner, Laurie, family and friends. I am the happiest when I can do an activity that includes my dog.

Q. What’s something meaningful you’re currently working on or are involved in (professionally or personally)?

A. I love to create events that help people to connect. I love being involved with Change Makers. I’ve most recently planned a holiday event for our neighborhood association that encouraged interaction among a diverse group of people.  It was really fun, and the neighbors got to make new connections.

Q. What is something about you that would surprise people?

A.  While living in San Francisco in the early ’90s, I worked on a PBS cooking show with Jacques Pepin.  Our team created the foods you see when the host opens the oven and pulls out a beautifully cooked dish. Jacques was a wonderful teacher. It was a great experience. Best of all, I got to meet Julia Child (my absolute heroine and role model).

Q. What about Change Makers had a lasting effect on you?

A. I love the connections I have made with people that I would not normally be in contact with.  It has been fun to make new friends with amazing skill sets and life experiences. 

  • Alumni in action at 50+ Fair

    Alumni Steering Committee members Robin Margolin, Regina Kilkenny, Wendy Wadas and Tony Brucha represented Change Makers at a recent 50+ job and volunteer fair in Arvada on April 30. They arrived early to set up and spent the morning talking with attendees who are thinking about what’s next.

    Several alumni and current fellows also stopped by throughout the morning, adding to the sense of connection and community. As always, it was the conversations that made it. Hearing directly from alumni gives people a real sense of the program in a way nothing else quite can.

    Interested in helping out at events like this? Fill out the volunteer form.

  • May installment of “First Wednesday Walk & Talk” canceled

    Due to a pending snowstorm and unseasonably cold temperatures, the monthly “First Wednesday Walk & Talk” in Wash Park (Denver) on May 6 has been canceled. Plan to attend upcoming Walk & Talk events at 8 a.m. on June 3, July 1, Aug. 5, Sept. 2 and so on. All alumni, regardless of where they live, are invited to participate. If there’s enough interest, additional walking groups may organically form at other parks in Denver, Boulder, Colorado Springs and beyond.

  • Zoom discussion series is in the works

    Plans are underway for a new Zoom discussion series, which will feature six one-hour sessions. These virtual conversations will focus on various topics of interest, including: navigating retirement when your spouse is still working; caring for aging parents and how to balance commitment with engaged leisure activities in retirement.

    The series is intended to promote peer-to-peer conversations facilitated by fellow Change Makers alums. Dates for the series are still being determined, so be sure to check back on the cudenverchangemakers.com website for new information. Series organizers are also seeking ideas for conversation topics. If you have thoughts on potential topics, comment on this post or contact Lynn Gangone at lmgangone@gmail.com.

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