DATE: Thursday, April 6, 2023
TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking
11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor
11:30am-1:00pm – Program
TOPIC: Habitat for Humanity
LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center, This is an IN-PERSON EVENT
SPEAKERS: Katie Bonomo, RE Development Project Manager with Habitat for Humanity, Jeanne Fischetti, Director of Sponsorships with Habitat for Humanity and Maria Chambers, Community Real Estate Coordinator

SESSION INFORMATION: Habitat for Humanity of Metro Denver is renovating and selling affordable homes in Littleton. These 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom homes are available through a partnership between Habitat and South Metro Housing Options (SMHO), which is making 60 total homes available to buyers making up to 80% of the area median income.

SPEAKER BIO: Katie Bonomo, Real Estate Development Project Manager: With a diverse background of construction, real estate development and active transportation advocacy experience, Katie joined Habitat Metro Denver’s development team in 2022. Katie is responsible for managing projects from entitlement through permitting, coordinating with consultants and construction teams to ensure project success. Katie received a Bachelor of Science in Design from the University of Cincinnati in 2012 and a Project Leadership Certificate from Cornell University in 2021. She is passionate about improving the built environment to create healthy communities.

Jeanne Fischetti, Director of Sponsorships: Jeanne started her career with Habitat for Humanity in Omaha, NE as the Volunteer Coordinator in 2001 and joined the Metro Denver team in 2004 as the Volunteer Director. In 2014, she transitioned to become the Director of Sponsorships responsible for raising $2.5M in corporate and faith support.  Fun fact, Jeanne has built with Habitat for Humanity in 5 different countries!  Jeanne holds a degree in History from the George Washington University. 

Maria Chambers, Community Real Estate Coordinator: As a Colorado native, mother of two and Realtor, my passion for helping the hard-working members of my community find a home has been a lifelong goal. It fills my heart and makes me truly proud when I see how much people thrive from having a safe, stable, and affordable home. Having a family and personal background in education and service, I feel privileged to have the opportunity to serve my community.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR:  Checkmate Moving & Storage, Jared Miller
https://www.checkmatemoving.com/

DATE: Thursday, May 4, 2023
TIME: 11:00am-11:20am – Lunch and Networking
11:20 Welcome Announcements & Sponsor
11:30am-1:00pm – Program
TOPIC: Everything You Always Wanted to Know About Water … But Were Afraid to Ask
LOCATION: SMDRA Event Center
SPEAKERS: Brian Werner, Retired, Communications Manager, Northern Water – 1982-2020

SESSION INFORMATION: While a little presumptuous, the title should be enough to raise some interest among the realtor’s community. Brian will talk about all things water – our State’s most valuable natural resource and one that is discussed (and cussed) almost daily in the media these days.

The presentation will take a brief look at the historical development of water and the significance of Colorado water law to set the stage for larger discussions about water issues today. Brian will discuss some basic facts of life about our water supply, how water is administered and managed by many of the organizations and agencies that shape water policy in the state. 

He will address many of today’s most fascinating water related issues including the Colorado River, the status of our current water supply, the Colorado Water Plan, current water project construction, conservation and many other current water topics.

Brian may challenge some long held assumptions and misconceptions about water and will help lead a discussion of these issues. He promises to leave plenty of time for Q & A with attendees.

SPEAKER BIO: Brian is a native Coloradoan and water historian who has spent almost four decades actively involved in water resources management in Colorado. He retired in 2020 as the Public Information Officer and Head of the Communications Department at Northern Water, headquartered in Berthoud, CO.

He remains active in the water community in retirement serving on the Water Education Colorado Board of Directors, as a member of the Colorado Water Congress and as a speaker on water issues. He recently organized and was a speaker at a Demystifying Water presentation to the Colorado Legislature.

Brian was born and raised in Colorado Springs and attended the University of Northern Colorado and Colorado State University earning undergraduate and master’s degrees in history.

In retirement Brian is a tour guide at Coors Field and has taught a history of baseball class through the University of Denver’s older learner’s program. He currently resides in Centennial, CO with his wife, Tina Del Ponte, who is a realtor and a member of SMDRA.

POWER LUNCH SPONSOR:  Exodus Moving and Storage
https://exodusmoving.com/