A SIMPLE, POWERFUL VISION
DEAR FRIENDS AND SUPPORTERS,
For more than a century, Emily Griffith’s simple, yet powerful idea has guided Emily Griffith Technical College and Emily Griffith Foundation: education should be within reach of everyone. That vision remains our north star, and 2025 was a powerful reminder of what this mission looks like in action.
This year, we saw innovation and impact everywhere: in expanded scholarship and emergency support, in new and growing partnerships, and in the strong programs that help students move from the classroom into meaningful, well-paying careers. We also strengthened the systems that make this work possible by deepening data efforts, aligning with state and regional workforce initiatives, and investing in long-term financial sustainability that will benefit Emily Griffith students for years to come.
We are deeply grateful to our donors, partners, Board of Directors, and the entire Emily Griffith community. Your generosity and belief in this mission make it possible for students to persist, graduate, and transform their lives.
As we look ahead to 2026, we’re energized by what’s to come — deeper partnerships, expanded wraparound services, innovative pathways for students, and bold opportunities to widen our impact across Denver and beyond.
Emily Griffith’s legacy is alive and thriving, and together, we are building the next century of opportunity.
With gratitude,
Robin Chalecki Scott Reich President
CELEBRATING OUR WORK
2024-25 STUDENT ENROLLMENT
2024-25 STUDENT SUCCESS RATES
COMPLETION
85% of learners completed their programs
PLACEMENT
84% of learners got career-track jobs
LICENSURE
98% of learners earned a license in their field
DONOR TESTIMONIAL
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
Olena Dmytrychenko Massage Therapy Graduate (2025)
When the war in Ukraine forced Olena Dmytrychenko to flee her home with only a suitcase and her two dogs, she arrived in Denver determined to rebuild her life. Guided by her daughter, a graduate of Emily Griffith Technical College, Olena enrolled first in English classes and then in the Massage Therapy program — a field she says is her true calling. “My learning experience has been incredibly supportive and inspiring thanks to my teachers, mentors, tutors, and of course, the generous financial aid programs,” she says.
Supported by donor-funded scholarships that covered tuition and expenses throughout her program, Olena graduated in December and plans to open her own business. Grateful for the community she’s found and the support she received, she adds, “You make it possible for people like me to follow our dreams and create a new beginning in this wonderful country.”
“The Alliance Foundation is proud to partner with Emily Griffith Foundation to help students complete their chosen programs. There is nothing more important than education, and to support students who want to learn a trade and further their continued learning has been one of the highlights of our organization’s giving. We are pleased to know that with our financial support, these students are better equipped for lifelong success.”
Kerry Hammond, Executive Director Alliance of Professional Women
WHO WE SERVE
For more than a century, Emily Griffith Technical College has expanded access to education for a diverse community of learners. Through adult education, hands-on career training, apprenticeships, English language learning, and continuing education, the college supports students of all ages and backgrounds on pathways to opportunity.
DEMOGRAPHICS OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION (CTE) STUDENTS
Multiracial
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
Native American/ Indigenous/Alaska Native White
Unknown
DEMOGRAPHICS OF APPRENTICESHIP STUDENTS
Asian Black
Hispanic/Latino
Multiracial
Native American/ Indigenous/Alaska
Native
Native Hawaiian/ Pacific Islander
White
Unknown
DEMOGRAPHICS OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE ACQUISITION (ELA) STUDENTS
Central Asia
GENDER
Eastern Europe East and Southeast Asia
Middle East and North Africa
South America Mexico, Central America, Caribbean
South Asia
Sub-Saharan Africa
Other
A CELEBRATION OF WOMEN IN TRADES
EXPANDING OUR COMMITMENT TO WORKFORCE EQUITY
Our 2025 annual fundraising event, A Celebration of Women in Trades, brought the community together in a powerful way. With KeyBank as our presenting sponsor and CBS Colorado as our media sponsor, the sold-out luncheon welcomed more than 280 industry leaders, educational partners, donors, and community members. CBS Colorado anchor Kennedy Cook guided the program as emcee and panel moderator.
The event spotlighted the achievements of women succeeding in fields long dominated by men and helped build fresh momentum around trades education. It also expanded our reach to new audiences who share our commitment to workforce equity.
Support from additional top sponsors — including RK Foundation, Trane, and Encore Electric — strengthened the event and helped ensure its impact.
Media Sponsor Presenting Sponsor
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
DAESHA OTTEM
Electrical Apprenticeship Graduate (2024) & Journeyman with Greiner Electric
Daesha Ottem was a featured panelist at the 2025 A Celebration of Women in Trades event, bringing the same grit and purpose that have defined her path in the electrical trades. She chose this career to build financial independence on her own terms, pushed through tough moments, and rose to the top of her apprenticeship class.
In 2024 she earned her Journeyman Electrical License and now works as a Project Engineer at Greiner Electric with her sights set on becoming a Project Manager.
Daesha reminded the audience that the trades are a true career with lifelong value, and encouraged women to claim their space with confidence. “Hold your own, stick up for yourself, and walk with your head high,” she said.
SAVE THE DATE
Save the date for April 29, 2026. We are excited to announce that the event will expand under a new name, Women at Work: Celebrating Women in Trades & Technical Careers, and move to Infinity Park to welcome an even broader community.
LISTENING TO WHAT STUDENTS NEED
EXPLORING OUR STUDENTS LIVED EXPERIENCES & CELEBRATING THEIR ACHIEVEMENTS
Emily Griffith Foundation’s 2025 report, Learning, Working, Thriving: The Experiences of Emily Griffith Technical College Students, provided critical data on student and alumni success. The initial study found that 90% of students and alumni would recommend the College, with a significant 60% of alumni reporting having completed their education debt-free due to vital support like the Essentials & Emergencies Fund.
Following up on findings from the initial study, the Foundation launched a second phase focusing on alumni engagement and long-term career progression. This phase yielded powerful insights:
MOTIVATED TO SUCCEED of learners who completed programs were satisfied with their career preparation of alumni intend to stay in their field of alumni indicated that ongoing education, training, and support are essential to achieve their goals of alumni plan to advance in their careers
These comprehensive findings are now guiding new initiatives, ensuring Emily Griffith students gain the tools not just to learn and work, but to secure sustained career advancement and thrive.
PUTTING OUR STUDENTS FIRST
In 2025, the Foundation renamed its 360 Fund to the Student Essentials & Emergencies Fund. This better reflects its purpose: helping students overcome financial barriers to success. The fund covers both essentials (like childcare, groceries, or transportation) and emergencies (such as car repair or medical bills) that can threaten program completion.
This year, the Foundation piloted an expansion of its Student Essentials & Emergencies Fund to include apprentices, supporting costs like tools, books, and housing. The pilot revealed that apprentices also face significant strain, balancing work, family, and studies. Continued investment in this fund ensures equitable access to emergency support for all learners, strengthening retention and completion across Colorado’s skilled trades workforce.
CELEBRATING APPRENTICES
MAKING HISTORY FOR APPRENTICES IN COLORADO
In 2025, the State of Colorado approved a groundbreaking bill allowing Emily Griffith Technical College to confer an Associate of Applied Science Degree for Apprentices. Currently, apprentices earn 45 transferable credits through their registered apprenticeship programs. With this new legislation, the College will now be able to offer classes that provide the remaining 15 credits required to complete an Associate degree.
This initiative empowers apprentices to “earn and learn” while advancing toward a college degree — bridging the gap between technical training and higher education. The new degree cements Emily Griffith’s role as a national leader in innovative apprenticeship pathways, offering students an affordable and attainable route to lifelong career success. The first cohort of degree-seeking apprentices will begin in April 2026, marking a historic milestone for both the College and Colorado’s workforce development system.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT JANICE MAĂ‘ALAC
Inside Wireman Apprentice with the Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Committee (DJEATC)
When Janice Mañalac’s father joined the U.S. Navy to open doors for their family, he set in motion a legacy of opportunity that continues to shape her life. After years managing coffee shops, Janice took a leap of faith into the trades and is now an Inside Wireman apprentice with the Denver Joint Electrical Apprenticeship and Training Committee (DJEATC).
Balancing work, school, and family has tested her resolve, but her determination has kept her moving forward. Now on track to become a journey-level wireman by 2029, Janice hopes to mentor other women entering the field.
“Supporting apprentices means helping hardworking people stay the course when things get tough,” she says. “I hope more women see stories like mine and feel encouraged to join the trades.”
PARTNERSHIPS & RECOGNITIONS
REDUCING FINANCIAL BARRIERS WITH PROSPERITY DENVER FUND
In 2025, Emily Griffith Foundation became eligible to receive funding from Prosperity Denver Fund, a citywide initiative supported by a Denver sales tax to expand access to postsecondary education.
This partnership allows Emily Griffith Foundation and Emily Griffith Technical College to offer more (and larger) scholarships to Career and Technical Education (CTE) students, further reducing financial barriers and helping learners stay focused on their studies. The funding marks a significant step toward the shared vision of making high-quality technical education tuition-free and accessible for all Coloradans.
STUDENT SPOTLIGHT
YOVETTE GILBERT Barbering
Yovette Gilbert returned to Emily Griffith Technical College to pursue her passion for barbering, building on her earlier experience at the school. Supported by scholarships, including funds from Prosperity Denver Fund, she is on track to graduate in January 2026 and plans to open her own inclusive barber studio. Yovette’s journey highlights how hands-on training, supportive instructors, and financial aid can transform a student’s future.
“Financial support has made a huge difference,” she says. “It has allowed me to stay focused on my education instead of stressing over tuition and the fear of falling behind. It truly helped keep me moving forward toward my goals.”
RECOGNITION SPOTLIGHT
ROBIN CHALECKI Expanding Opportunities for Students
In recognition of her leadership in technical education and workforce development, Emily Griffith Foundation President Robin Chalecki was named one of the Denver Business Journal’s 2025 Top 25 Women in Business. The honor highlights Robin’s dedication to advancing equitable access to career and technical education, strengthening partnerships across Colorado, and expanding opportunities for Emily Griffith students to build meaningful, sustainable careers.
DONOR TESTIMONIAL
“The Visit Denver Foundation is proud to support Emily Griffith Technical College’s Culinary Arts program. This partnership directly impacts students pursuing careers in our industry and strengthens the future of Denver’s hospitality and tourism workforce. The Visit Denver Foundation provided support for Emily Griffith’s Culinary Arts Program — part of a growing multi-year commitment. We believe deeply in the power of education to change lives, and Emily Griffith Technical College continues to be an essential partner in that mission.”
MC Genova Associate Vice President, Partnerships, Visit Denver & Visit Denver Foundation
SUPPORT FOR EVERY LEARNER
EMILY GRIFFITH: INNOVATING ADULT EDUCATION
In Spring 2026, Emily Griffith Technical College will expand its commitment to adult learners by launching the Adult High School Diploma Program. This initiative allows adults 21 and older to earn a diploma at no-cost, with opportunities to simultaneously gain industry certificates and college credits.
Through English Language Acquisition (ELA) programming, students gain language skills that unlock employment and community engagement, often while balancing work, family, and life transitions. This approach reflects Emily Griffith’s mission to make education accessible and learner-centered — recognizing lived experience and creating supported pathways to economic mobility.
STANDING ALONGSIDE ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS
Students in the ELA program demonstrate immense resilience, pursuing educational goals while navigating complex personal and systemic landscapes. Because many ELA programs rely on fluctuating public funding, philanthropic investment is essential to ensure long-term program sustainability.
Through ELA programming, students gain language skills that unlock employment and community engagement, often while effectively balancing work, family, and life transitions. Emily Griffith Foundation is dedicated to standing with these learners, ensuring they have the stability and access to opportunity they deserve, regardless of external changes.
DONOR TESTIMONIAL
“We give to honor our parents’ legacy and their belief in the power of education and trade schools. Emily Griffith offers inclusive, high-quality learning that opens doors to meaningful careers and lifelong growth. We support Emily Griffith because it provides affordable postsecondary opportunities that strengthen individuals and the community. Our family is proud to be part of this mission — helping students, supporting trade careers, and uplifting our community as a whole.”
Theresa Brighton
The Hearty Family Scholarship for Students of Skilled Trades
FISCAL YEAR 2025 FINANCIAL ACTIVITY
For the year ended June 30, 2025.
OUR TEAM
EMILY GRIFFITH FOUNDATION STAFF
ROBIN CHALECKI President
ALEA BENEDETTO Administrative Coordinator
2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS OFFICERS
SCOTT REICH, Chair Vice President of Finance CirrusMD Inc.
MEMBERS
TISHA CHAPMAN, Ex-Officio
Vice President of Student Services
Emily Griffith Technical College
CELESTINA JIMENEZ Vice President General Counsel RK Industries, LLC
MIMI STEPHANUS, Vice Chair Community Volunteer
LINDSAY SANDHAM Director of Grants & Communications
SERENA VANDENBERG Finance Manager
GABE GODOY Development Manager
RANDY JOHNSON, Ex-Officio Executive Director Emily Griffith Technical College
KELLI JOSEPH Senior Vice President of Human Resources Stonebridge
PATRICK MCFARLEN Chief Financial Officer Haynes Mechanical Systems
TONY OUM, Secretary Executive Vice President FirstBank
JONATHON MUNRO
Senior Vice President, Regional Retail Leader Key Bank
DIANNE MYLES Chief Executive Officer Human Focused Media
MARY NGUYEN Founder and Chef Olive & Finch
INVEST IN STUDENTS. SUSTAIN OUR FUTURE.
ALLEN STAVER, Treasurer Former General Counsel UCHealth
BRUCE SCHROFFEL Healthcare Consultant
TERM ENDED IN 2025 Renae Bellew
Elaine Gantz Berman
Sarah McCarthy Erica McIntire Paula Sandoval
Planned gifts, including bequests, offer another meaningful way to strengthen the Foundation’s long-term sustainability. The Emily Griffith Opportunity Endowment provides permanent support for students and programs at Emily Griffith Technical College – today and for generations to come.
Learn more here, or contact Robin Chalecki at rchalecki@egfoundation.org.
