_edited_jp.jpg)
2024 JAMBOREE
Thank you for joining this year's Jamboree!
ILCO hosted our annual Spring Jamboree with affiliates last week, May 9-10 in Denver. The Jamboree kicked off on Thursday evening with a cocktail reception with dinner, music, networking and Dolly trivia games. Speakers included: Governor Polis stopped by on Friday morning to celebrate the successes of the program with affiliates and to accept a signed photo of Dolly, Kelly Dunkin from Co Gives Foundation Brooke Seigle from Imagination Library Middle Tennessee/United Way of Greater Nashville; and a 3-part session on The Role of Books and Developmental Milestones with Dr. Michelle Shiffman, a pediatrician from Reach Out and Read, Heather Craiglow from CDEC/Head Start and 1st grade teacher Christy Howard from Steele Elem in Co Springs. Nicolle Davies, Allie Wegner (Co Labs), Michelle Anthony (Dollywood Foundation) also gave an update on Imagination Library state and national. 40+ affiliates from across Colorado attended.
COLORADO LAB GRAPHIC
.png)
Who's Who:
Kelly Dunkin: joined Colorado Gives Foundation as President and CEO in February 2019. Previously, she worked for a variety of nonprofits, businesses and social impact organizations, including 11 years with The Colorado Health Foundation in Denver. Throughout her career, Kelly has earned many accolades, most recently being named one of the Denver Business Journal’s Most Admired CEOs. When she’s not working, Kelly enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, practicing Spanish, reading and getting outdoors mountain biking, skiing or trail running.
Nicolle Davies: is the State Librarian of Colorado. Previously, she served as the Executive Director for Charleston Public Library and Arapahoe Libraries. In 2016, Nicolle was named Library Journal’s Librarian of the year for her dedication to “her unequivocal belief that libraries are essential services, not just ‘nice’ assets, and the best medium to achieve an informed citizenry.”
Michelle Anthony: is a regional director for The Dollywood Foundation. She’s passionate about bringing positive change to her community, and has spent her entire career working in the non-profit sector for youth serving organizations. Michelle and her husband have two daughters, and all four of them are avid readers! Outside of reading, they enjoy watching the Denver Broncos, playing sports, spending time in the Rocky Mountains, and just being together as a family.
Allie Wegner: is a former early childhood educator who is passionate about making systems work, particularly for communities placed at risk. Allie joined the Lab because she believes that smart policy and compassionate people can make daily life better for Coloradoans.
Heather Craiglow: is the Director of the Head Start Collaboration Office at the Department of Early Childhood. Heather’s role is to provide leadership and facilitate collaboration among Head Start agencies and entities that carry out activities designed to benefit low-income children from birth to school entry, and their families.
Dr. Michelle Stiffman: is the Medical Director for Reach Out and Colorado and is a bilingual Pediatrician at Denver Health. She is also the mom of an energetic toddler who has her reading "the little engine that could" from ILCO every night on repeat.
Christy Howard: is a passionate 1st grade teacher from Steele Elementary who empowers her students to effect change. Inspired by the positive impact of Imagination Library, Christy created an entire curriculum around the teachings of Dolly Parton. Not only did her students meet state standards across multiple disciplines, but they raised over $1300 for Imagination Library. For her work as an educator, Christy has received numerous awards, including the Colorado Council for Social Studies’ Outstanding Educator of the Year award in 2018.
Brooke Seigle: is the Senior Manager of Imagination Library of Middle Tennessee, serving children and families in Davidson, Sumner, and Williamson Counties with 50,000 young minds enrolled in the program and raising half a million dollars a year to support the effort. She is an avid outdoors woman with an inclination toward wild waters, climbing the tallest crags, and running the toughest trails. She is keen on loving children and making literacy accessible and equitable for all.
_edited_edited.png)
.png)