At Roaring Fork Leadership, we’re not just shaping leaders — we’re amplifying their impact. This is where you’ll find the latest stories, features, and updates that highlight how leadership is transforming our communities. From alumni achievements to civic impact spotlights, media mentions to behind-the-scenes program moments — this is your front row seat to the ripple effects of empowered leadership in action.
Stay curious. Stay inspired. Stay connected.
Swing Into Leadership: RFL’s First-Ever Golf Tournament
Roaring Fork Leadership is hitting the greens this fall - and we want you with us! On Friday, October 10, 2025, we’re hosting our first-ever Golf Tournament at the stunning Lakota Links in New Castle. This isn’t just a day of golf - it’s a day to connect, compete, and [...]
Welcome RFL Academy 2026
This past weekend, on September 5th and 6th, Roaring Fork Leadership launched its 38th Academy class at Aspen Camp for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. We are thrilled to welcome 35 participants from across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River valleys and from a wide range of industries and [...]
Building Civic Capacity Together: Reflections from the Colorado Civic Collaboratory
By Andrea Palm-Porter, RFL Executive Director On Friday, August 22nd, I had the opportunity to attend the Colorado Civic Collaboratory gathering at the Iliff School of Theology, thanks to the warm hosting of Dr. Jeni Rinner and for Civic Canopy for creating the collaboratory. Twenty-five civic innovators came together to [...]
Applications are Open: Mastermind 2026
Applications Now Open: The Reimagined RFL Mastermind 2026 Roaring Fork Leadership is proud to announce that applications are now open for the RFL Mastermind Class of 2026 - a reimagined, 5-month leadership experience designed for mid- to senior-level professional women and underrepresented leaders who are ready to step into their [...]
Q & A with Steven May, RFL Academy 2017
When Steven May (RFL Academy Class of 2017) co-founded RED, he set out to create more than just an architecture firm—he wanted to build a practice grounded in values, community, and lasting impact. That vision has not only shaped the firm’s approach to design, but also earned RED recent recognition [...]
Seeking Civic Impact Projects for RFL Academy 2026
Roaring Fork Leadership is now accepting proposals for Civic Impact Projects - transformational, community-centered initiatives that will serve as the capstone experience for the RFL Academy 2026 class. Each year, roughly 40 Academy participants are divided into teams of 6 to 8 emerging leaders from diverse professional backgrounds and sectors. [...]
Fore the Future: RFL’s Inaugural Golf Tournament at Lakota Links
Friday, October 10, 2025 | Lakota Links, New Castle Roaring Fork Leadership is thrilled to launch our first-ever golf tournament - and you’re invited to join us for a day of great golf, breathtaking views, and lasting community impact. On Friday, October 10, we’ll gather at Lakota Links, a stunning [...]
Scholarships Change Lives—and Communities
Every year, RFL’s Academy and Mastermind participants represent a cross-section of the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valleys - nonprofit staff, small business owners, civic leaders, healthcare professionals, educators, and entrepreneurs. Many are early in their careers, working multiple jobs, or serving in fields that don’t provide professional development budgets. [...]
Alumni Needed: Volunteer for RFL Academy 2026 – Refresh, Connect, and Give Back
Are you a Roaring Fork Leadership alumnus passionate about leadership development? Here’s an exciting opportunity to stay engaged and make a meaningful impact in 2026 by volunteering at our monthly Academy sessions. The Roaring Fork Leadership Academy continues its tradition of meeting on the first Friday of every month, and [...]
Thank You to Our Incredible Mountain Fair Volunteers!
On Saturday, July 26, during the vibrant Mountain Fair weekend in Carbondale, 22 dedicated volunteers from Roaring Fork Leadership came together to support this beloved community event. From 10:30 a.m. to 4 p.m., our volunteers enthusiastically served beer and mixed drinks, helping create a welcoming space for attendees to relax [...]
Community Corner: Roaring Fork Valley Wildfire Collaborative
Wildfire Season Intensifies & Regional Collaboration Strengthens This summer, communities from Aspen to Parachute have experienced an early and active wildfire season. The Coulter Creek Fire near Carbondale, the Cottonwood Flat Fire in Parachute, early-season blazes in Garfield and Moffat counties, and large lightning-driven fires such as Turner Gulch, Sowbelly, [...]
Bridging Divides for a Stronger Tri-County Region
Building Bridges, Not Walls: Fostering Collaboration, Trust, and Belonging in Our Tri-County Communities The Aspen-to-Parachute corridor is shown here in a map provided by Aspen Community Foundation. On Friday, June 27, 2025, I had the privilege of presenting at the CIVICO Colorado Governors Fellowship 2025 Regional Gathering in Glenwood [...]
Celebrating Possibility: 2025 Unite Graduation Wrap-Up
On May 16th, the RFL community came together at Anderson Ranch Arts Center in Snowmass Village to celebrate our 2025 Academy and Mastermind graduates. Nearly 80 individuals - alumni, families, partners, and supporters - gathered in support of this year’s theme: Unite. And unite we did. Together, we welcomed 28 [...]
Less Than A Month to Apply for RFL Academy
Application deadline: July 15, 2025 Leadership isn’t reserved for those with big titles or corner offices—it belongs to anyone willing to grow, connect, and lead with purpose. That’s the heart of RFL Academy. Each year, Roaring Fork Leadership brings together individuals from across our region who are ready to deepen [...]
Volunteer with RFL at the Mountain Fair Cantina!
Saturday, July 26 | 10:30 AM – 4:00 PM | Carbondale We’re thrilled to announce that Roaring Fork Leadership has been selected to staff the Cantina at the 54th Annual Mountain Fair—and we need YOU to join the crew! This is one of Carbondale’s most beloved events, and volunteering at [...]
