Leadership PSD

Join Leadership PSD - Where Community and Education Unite

Leadership PSD is a unique, behind-the-scenes experience that brings together business and community leaders to explore the inner workings of Poudre School District. Through engaging sessions with district leaders, participants gain a deep understanding of PSD’s history, governance, budget, operations, curriculum, and innovative programs across its 53 schools.

But this program is more than just learning — it’s about building lasting, meaningful partnerships. As a Leadership PSD graduate, you’ll walk away with real opportunities to collaborate with PSD in ways that matter. Whether it’s offering student internships, volunteering your expertise, serving on a committee, launching a joint project, or supporting school initiatives, you’ll be empowered to make a tangible impact on the future of education in our community.

If you're ready to connect, contribute, and lead alongside one of the top school districts in Colorado, Leadership PSD is your opportunity to do just that.

 

 

 

Apply for the next Leadership PSD class here!
 

 

Anticipated Schedule (subject to change):

This program evolves every year based partially on the feedback provided by the previous class, alumni, and other system variables. Currently, the plan is to meet one Wednesday a month, 8am-11am from September through December: 

 

Session 1: Introduction
September 4, 2025  (8am-11am)
PSD Strategic Plan and Data, Partnerships, Assessments & Evaluation/Research, Transportation & Facilities
*School Tours* (optional)
September 25, 2025
(9am-1pm)
The Leadership PSD group will choose their top three-four sites in PSD to tour and learn about. We will meet at the PSD Future Ready Center in the Foothills Mall and carpool or possibly take a PSD bus! This session is optional.
Session 2: Elementary Level
October 2, 2025  (8am-11am)
Elementary Schools Overview, Language, Culture, & Equity, Before/After School Programs, Early Childhood, School Choice
Session 3: Middle School Level
November 6, 2025  (8am-11am)
Middle Schools Overview, Student Services, Integrated Services
Session 4: High School Level
December 4, 2025  (8am-11am)
High Schools Overview, Opportunities Unlimited, Career & Technical Education/Future Ready, PSD strategic plan follow up, Communications, Partnership action planning and program closing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Applicant requirements:

  • Reside or be employed within the Poudre School District boundaries
  • Be at least 21 years of age at the time of application
  • Submit a complete application
  • Be able to attend ALL sessions in person

An application review committee comprised of PSD staff and Leadership PSD alumni reviews applications and selects up to 25 participants for the class. Successful applicants will be contacted in mid-August to confirm intent to participate and schedule availability. Applicants not selected for a particular Leadership PSD class are invited to reapply for a future one by submitting another application.

 

2024-25 Leadership PSD class

Leadership PSD group photo

  • Nick Armstrong, Howdy Neighbor Events/Founded in FoCo/FC Comic Con
  • Javier C. Camacho, Platte River Power Authority
  • Katie Castillo, UCHealth Healthy Hearts and Minds | Research
  • Willow Cooper-Barton, The Arc of Larimer County
  • Donald "Chris" Burnette, National Park Service-Washington, DC Office
  • Brannon Hughes, Colorado Department of Labor and Employment
  • Matthew Hitt, Colorado State University
  • Natalie Hansen, Front Range Community College
  • Britt Mowen, Gardens on Spring Creek
  • Tillie Pert, Desperaddo Realty
  • Sara Pharazyn, Colorado State University- Walter Scott Jr., College of Engineering
  • Jessica Plummer, Larimer County - Behavioral Health Services
  • David Roecker, Broadcom
  • Sarah Saltee, 3Hopeful Hearts
  • Lindsay Sell, Colorado State University
  • Jen Scott, Front Range Community College
  • Amy Snider, Cups Community Coffee
  • Karen Ungerer, Electrical and Computer Engineering - Colorado State University
  • Stephanie Watson Lewis, Parent
  • Chris Whited, Community Automotive
  • Samantha Whiteside, Poudre School District

 


2023-24 Leadership PSD class

2023-24 Leadership PSD cohort

  • Stacy Armstrong, Community member
  • Josh Baros, College of Business-CSU
  • Joe Cox, Nagi Luta Enterprises, LLC
  • Annie Cunningham, Student Disability Center, Colorado State University
  • Christine Cunningham, Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County
  • Laurel Halsey, CSU Health Network
  • Courtney Hansen, Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates
  • Tim Johnson, GH Phipps Construction
  • Kylee Joiner, DataWrangler 
  • Libby Klingsmith, The Attainment Network
  • Dani Lawrence, Self-employed
  • Karlyn McFarland, Housing Catalyst
  • Erin McCain, Blevins Middle School
  • Erika Michalski, Strategically Authentic and University of Missouri
  • Luis Montalvo Velez, US Department of Treasury 
  • Kelsey Noroski, Junior Achievement Rocky Mountain Inc.
  • Cynthia Salas, CSU
  • Laura Sample McMeeking, Colorado State University
  • Lynne Scalia, Community member
  • Dawnelle Schatte, Colorado State University Health Network
  • Jessica L Schultz, Circus Center Fort Collins, LLC
  • Ian Simkiss, NoCO HBA
  • Robert Sommerfeld, National Center for Craftsmanship
  • Annelise Tate, The Arc of Larimer County 
  • Kaitlyn Truelove, Poudre Fire Authority
  • Karen Ungerer, Electrical and Computer Engineering - CSU
  • Jennee Whittaker, Sam's Club
  • Meghan Willis, UCHealth
  • DeAnn Zamora, CASA of Larimer County
     

2022-23 Leadership PSD class

Leadership PSD 2022-2023 Cohort
Leadership PSD 2022-2023 Cohort
  • Heather Alderman, Commission on Sport Management Accreditation
  • Cari Brown, Larimer County Extension
  • Zach Ducharme, Larimer County Department of Health & Environment
  • Gage Duncan, Fort Fun
  • Veronica Estelle, Colorado State University
  • Jillian Fresa, City of Fort Collins
  • Marty Goldberg, Colorado Community College System
  • Deems Hargleroad, Bank of Colorado
  • Candice Hartley, Lamp Rynearson Inc.
  • Allison Hines, Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County
  • Sandra Jackam, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development
  • Amy Kolczak, UCHealth
  • Jessey Manison, The Arc of Larimer County
  • Michele Marquitz, Food Bank for Larimer County
  • Sarah McKeen, Boys & Girls Clubs of Larimer County
  • Gary Ozzello, Canvas Canvas Credit Union
  • Carol Salter, Larimer County
  • Phoebe Stalker, Banner Health
  • Dulcie Willis, Poudre School District

Contact Information

Coordinator of Business and Community Development
Nick Peterson  |  npeterson@psdschools.org

Volunteer & Partnership Coordinator

Dawn Feit  |  dfeit@psdschools.org