Meet the RFL Academy Class of 2027
The RFL Academy Class of 2027 is a group of people who care deeply about where they live, the people around them, and the kind of leaders they are becoming.
They come to the Academy from across the Roaring Fork and Colorado River Valley and from remarkably different walks of life. Their work spans local government, banking, architecture and design, construction, sustainability, law, healthcare, animal welfare, hospitality, libraries, communications, property management, music, and more. Some grew up here. Others chose this valley and are intentionally putting down deeper roots. Some already lead teams and organizations. Others are beginning to recognize that leadership does not require a title.
What connects them is a desire to grow and contribute.
Over the coming year, these leaders will challenge assumptions, strengthen how they communicate and collaborate, learn to navigate differences and complex challenges, and put their leadership into practice through Civic Impact Projects addressing real community needs. Just as importantly, they will learn from one another and build relationships across professions, communities, generations, backgrounds, and perspectives.
Together, they represent something at the heart of Roaring Fork Leadership: better communities are built when people are willing to know one another, learn together, and step forward to lead.
Meet the RFL Academy Class of 2027 and the people who are choosing to do just that.
Heather Beattie
Curiosity and learning have been constants throughout Heather Beattie’s life. Originally from Wisconsin, she [...]
Ofek Bruhis
For Ofek Bruhis, sustainability, the outdoors, and community are closely connected. He studied Architectural [...]
Richard Connelly
Richard Connelly’s professional path is proof that careers do not always unfold according to [...]
Taylor Dexheimer
Taylor Dexheimer grew up in Missouri as the oldest of four and became a [...]
Ben Dillingham
A Colorado native, Ben Dillingham grew up in Woodland Park with a love for [...]
Justin Fangiullo
Justin Fangiullo built the foundation of his career in Connecticut, where he spent 12 [...]
Rachel Freehling
For Rachel Freehling, design, nature, and community are closely connected. She earned a bachelor’s [...]
Ana Gaytan
Ana Gaytan grew up in the Roaring Fork Valley, where community involvement has long [...]
Riley Hritz
Leadership has been a thread throughout Riley Hritz’s life. From an early age, she [...]
Kyle Jones
Music and mountains are two defining threads in Kyle Jones’s life. A freelance pianist, [...]
Mike McLain
Mike McLain grew up in Fort Collins and studied Construction Management at Colorado State [...]
Oscar Miranda
Originally from Sonora, Mexico, Oscar Miranda has called the Roaring Fork Valley home for [...]
Alex Mondragon
For Alex Mondragon, the Roaring Fork Valley is more than the place where he [...]
Olivia Niosi
Olivia Niosi grew up in Oregon, studied in Japan and Italy, and graduated from [...]
Ausrine “Ellie” Paulauskaite
Ausrine “Ellie” Paulauskaite is a Registered Dietitian with a passion for helping people build [...]
Kelsey Petersen
Kelsey Petersen has built a career around storytelling, communication, and helping people understand the [...]
Josh Petersen
Josh Petersen grew up in Minnesota and studied electrical technologies in college before building [...]
Aaryn Peterson
Aaryn Peterson is driven by solving problems, creating lasting value, and helping people grow. [...]
Tessa Porter
Tessa Porter grew up in Glenwood Springs and has deep roots in the community [...]
Harper Powell
Harper Powell grew up in Salida, Colorado, with a lifelong connection to the mountains [...]
Anna Reynoso
Thoughtful design, strong relationships, and collaboration are recurring themes in Anna Reynoso’s life and [...]
Dacia Okeson
Dacia Okeson grew up in Belfast, Maine, and moved to Carbondale in 2018. After [...]
Aasta Shechter
Aasta Shechter is a lifelong Aspen resident whose story combines deep community roots, determination, [...]
Rodrigo Trevisan
Originally from São Paulo, Brazil, Rodrigo Trevisan earned a degree in Business and Logistics [...]
Tanya Van Rickley
Tanya Van Rickley has spent more than 30 years building relationships, developing partnerships, and [...]
Dalia Weber
Dalia Weber grew up in Rock City, Illinois, and has carried her agricultural roots [...]
