Mentors Walk at City Park Successfully Rolls with Mother Nature
Well, at least the tornado sirens didn’t go off. You have to hand it to organizers and participants at this year’s Mentors Walk, hosted by The Leadership Investment on Thursday, June 5. They showed enormous patience and adaptability when Colorado skies turned stormy just before the beginning of their 5K walk around Denver’s City Park. No matter, Plan B worked to perfection, as everyone remained safe and dry after the crowd adjourned to the shelter of the Pavlion.
President and CEO Robin Heller addresses the crowd inside the Pavilion during the approaching storm.
During the amended pre-race program, president-CEO Robin Heller and co-event chair Rachel DeLoach spoke briefly, and author Shari Harley (“How to Say Anything to Anyone”) adeptly handled a targeted workshop even as thunder rumbled and raindrops spattered outside. Just in time, the weather cleared enough to enable participants to walk a shortened course around City Park’s lake, easily accessible to the safety of the Pavilion if weather conditions warranted. Outside, before the walk, co-chair Jerri Brooks introduced yoga instructor Shelly Blais.
Mentors for the walk are senior-level executives, carefully selected by organizers, but anyone is welcomed to participate in the annual walk as a mentee. Save the date for next year, as the event is known for reaching capacity quickly. Filled with leadership development possibilities meeting and being mentored by top professionals from Denver’s premiere companies, there are also plenty of opportunities to network before, during and after the race. This year’s Wine & Wisdom Soiree featured gourmet tastes provided by chef Michael Ditchfield and Jing restaurant.
Is it…? Could it be…? Yes, the sun finally made an appearance during the amended walk route around City Park’s lake.
The WV Leadership Investment is a Colorado-based 501(c)(3) organization driving positive change in the workplace and the community. The vision: a belief that people are more fulfilled, organizations are more successful and communities thrive when women and men share leadership and power. The organization’s mission is to focus on supporting and advancing individuals in their careers by developing leaders, connecting people and inspiring action.
The annual Mentors Walk is a unique event designed for serious career-minded workers looking for greater success. The 5K walk lends itself to an open discussion format where career wisdom and insight are shared by seasoned professionals, and the post-walk reception is another vehicle for even more networking opportunities. For more information, please visit: www.theleadershipinvestment.org.
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- Dan Weisiger and Jaime Yelvington
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- Volunteers Adelina Herrera (left) and Ronnie Schneider
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- Shelly Cihak (left) and Tamara Arendt
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- (l to r): Laura Saye, Christine Daspro and Lynn Elliott
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- Dara Bassock Marvel, director of events & fundraising, with sound pro Ron Severns
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- (l to r): Committee member Julie Machac, Marni Myers and Sarah Rasmussen
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- (l to r): Tonya Kaye, Don Keller and Betsy Keyes
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- (l to r): Jodi Elnicki, Marsena Holsopple, Cheryl Silver, Shaina Yan, Lori Davis and Danielle Binnes
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- Registration was completed before the storm clouds arrived.
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- Shannon Koch and Michael Stoddard
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- (l to r): Laurie Nelson, Kelly McKinsey and Alexandra Naffziye
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- Malvia Henry-Brown and Alain Padini
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- Pre-race at City Park
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- Hayden, Pat Foley and JC Heinen ready for the walk.
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- Tom Calzavara and Jennifer Lacov
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- Troy Deering and Kurtiss Wolf
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- (l to r): Deb Smith, board member Ann Ayers and immediate past board chair Kathy Lawless
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- Committee member Ronnie Schneider (left) and Mary Dubois
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- Ready with umbrellas (l to r): Betsy Orton, Betsy Keyes and Don Keller
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- CEO Robin Heller talks with mentors before the walk.
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- Mentors receive last-minute instructions before the walk.
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- Sponsors are recognized at tables featuring pre-race healthy snacks.
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- Board member Marty Lassen with author-speaker Shari Harley
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- (l to r): Katie Domenico, Jeanine mcNeal and Carolyn Parsons
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- The mentors gather before meeting their mentees.
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- Signe Jones, owner of Petals & Pours
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- Adam Cohen, husband of author Aimee Cohen, mans the table while she participates in the walk.
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- (l to r): Laura Saye, Troy Deering and Rebecca Mares
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- (l to r): Kaylin Daniels, Ann Ayers and Brooke Schoenbech
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- (l to r): Holly Cline, Lissa Hess, Teri Clough, Colleen Elliott and Erin O’Brien
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- (l to r): Nicole Maynard, Christine Calandrella and Kendra Dennis
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- President and CEO Robin Heller addresses the crowd inside the Pavilion during the approaching storm.
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- Pre-walk activities moved inside the Pavilion at City Park with approaching thunder and lightning.
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- (l to r): Kaatie Domenico, committee member JC Heinen and Jeanine McNeal
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- Rumbling thunder had walkers heading inside the Pavilion at City Park.
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- Rachel DeLoach, event co-chair
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- Event co-chairs Jerri Brooks (left) and Rachel DeLoach
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- President and CEO Robin Heller (right) with her mentee Amanda Mazzuca
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- (l to r): Signe Jones, Shari Harley and event co-chair Rachel DeLoach
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- Yoga instructor Shelly Blais leads the crowd in pre-walk stretches.
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- A gentle tricep stretch
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- The walkers warm up with yoga stretches.
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- Mentors and mentees participate in a pre-race verbal exercise.
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- Appetizers from Jing are prepared for the post-race reception.
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- Speaker-author Shari Harley readies copies of her book “How to Say Anything to Anyone.”
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- Mentors and mentees participate in “sit-down” chats.
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- She wanted to walk, but injury prevented it this time around.
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- Yoga instructor Shelly Blais demonstrates another move.
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- Yoga stretches before the walk.
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- Am I doing this right, or what?
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- Some pre-race stretches required a bit more flexibility than others.
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- Board member emeritus Caroline Turner with grandkids Ella and Gray
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- Chef extraordinaire Michael Ditchfield was on hand to oversee the presentation of appetizers from his restaurant Jing.
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- Mentors and mentees chat during the walk.
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- Is it…? Could it be…? Yes, the sun finally made an appearance during the amended walk route around City Park’s lake.
