Meet the Trustees

Trustees on the Board of Trustees are elected to four-year terms, renewable up to three times. They come from a wide variety of fields and backgrounds, and many are DU alumni.

• Chair John A. Miller, BSBA ‘ 75, MBA ‘76
  

  John joined the University of Denver’s Board of Trustees in 2008. John is a passionate alum, with an MBA and bachelor of science from the University of Denver. He is also a DU parent; one of his three children graduated in ‘09 with a DU bachelor of science in business administration and in ‘11 with a DU MBA. His family’s significant philanthropy has supported scholarships at DU, the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, the Daniels College of Business, the Josef Korbel School of International Studies, athletics and recreation and other University-wide initiatives. John currently serves as co-chairman of Envoy Solutions, a national distribution company and as chairman and CEO of Rellim Capital Management, a multi-asset investment firm. He is also a noted community leader actively involved with the Economic Club of Chicago, the Commercial Club, Young Presidents Organization, CEO Organization, and various philanthropic organizations. John also has experience serving on several corporate boards.  

• Edward T. Anderson, BFA '71
  

  Ed joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2011. He is an enthusiastic alum with a bachelor of fine arts from the University of Denver, as well as an MBA from Columbia University. He is a transformational philanthropist, giving significantly to his namesake building on campus, the Anderson Academic Commons, as well as to scholarships, the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, and other initiatives and programs. Ed is the founder and managing general partner of North Bridge Venture Partners, a venture capital firm, and he serves on numerous public company boards of directors.   

• John Bucksbaum, BA '78, Parent '22
  

  John joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2022. He is a proud DU alum with a bachelor of arts in economics from the University of Denver. He and his wife, Jackie, have served as chairs of DU’s Parent Leadership Council, and their son is also a recent DU alum. John currently serves as CEO of Bucksbaum Properties, a Chicago-based real estate development company. He is also an active member on several non-profit and professional boards.  

• Peter Burwell, BSBM '11
  

  Peter joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2020. He is a proud alum with a bachelor of science from the University of Denver. His wife and two siblings are also DU alums. He and his family are passionate supporters of the University, giving significantly to their namesake building, the Burwell Center for Career Achievement, as well as the Pioneer Leadership Program, career services and more. Peter currently serves as president and CEO of Burwell Enterprises, which provides commercial support services.  

• Gen. George Casey, MA '80
  

  General Casey joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2022. He is an esteemed retired four-star general who served as the 36th chief of staff of the United States of Army from 2007 until his retirement in April 2011. He currently serves as a distinguished senior lecturer of leadership at Cornell’s Johnson Graduate School of Management and is chairman of the board of the USO and a board member of RISE, which promotes racial justice and equity through sports. General Casey is a DU alum with a master’s in international studies from the Josef Korbel School of International Studies and a bachelor of science in foreign service. General Casey is active at the University of Denver, traveling to Denver each spring to teach a graduate course on civil-military relations at the Josef Korbel School. The Casey Leadership Scholars Program was established in 2014 by DU trustee Craig Harrison and his family in honor of General Casey. The program encourages graduate students to pursue leadership opportunities in the fields of international relations and public policy. Prior to retirement, General Casey served as commanding general, multi-national force-Iraq. He has experience on several boards and committees in higher education.  

• Susana Cordova, BA '88, Hon PhD ‘16
  

  Susana joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2020. She is a passionate educator and alum with a bachelor of arts in English from the University of Denver and a master of education from the University of Colorado. She is a champion of education and a philanthropic supporter of scholarships at DU, including DU’s Latino Association Endowed Scholarship. Susana is the superintendent-in-residence at Transcend, a national education nonprofit where she supports school district leaders in their efforts to create innovative schools where students have access to extraordinary learning. Previously, Susana served as the superintendent of Denver Public Schools (DPS), as well as a senior cabinet member at both DPS and Dallas, TX, ISD.  She and her husband, Eric Duran, split their time between Dallas and Denver, where they both serve on several nonprofit boards. 

• Deborah DeHaas, Parent ’18, Parent '22
  

  Deb joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2017 and is a proud parent of two DU alums, both of whom obtained their bachelor’s and master’s degrees at DU. Deborah and her family have given generously to academic scholarships at DU, as well as to the university’s men’s soccer program and other initiatives. She holds a bachelor of science in management science and accounting from Duke University and is a certified public accountant. She currently serves as CEO of Corporate Leadership Center, a not-for-profit focused on elevating the leadership capabilities and impact of executives from a diverse set of leading companies. Prior to her current role, she served in a variety of senior leadership roles and as a vice chairman of Deloitte, a global consulting firm. She also serves on several influential Chicago and national not-for-profit, higher education and public company boards.   

• Navin Dimond, MBA ‘86
  

  Navin joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2013. A passionate DU alum, Navin earned an MBA in real estate construction management from DU and a bachelor of arts in business administration and Bachelor of science in construction management from Washington State University. Navin is a transformational philanthropist, giving significantly to his family’s namesake building, the Dimond Family Residential Village. He has also given support to the Knoebel School of Hospitality management and other programs at the University. He currently serves as founder and CEO of Stonebridge Companies, a privately owned hospitality firm. He and his family are active in the Denver community, and Navin serves on several influential non-profit and corporate boards, including the Denver Center for Performing Arts. 

• Margot Gilbert Frank, BA ‘71
  

  Margot joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2001 while running her family’s land lease business in New York. She is an alum, with a bachelor of arts in history and political science. The philanthropy of Margot and her late and much-beloved husband has made a profound impact on the University by providing scholarship and naming opportunities in Daniels College of Business, the Newman Center for the Performing Arts, the Morgridge College of Education, Anderson Academic Commons, and the Korbel School of International Studies.  Margot is also an educator with decades of experience as a teacher in Colorado, including 27 years of experience mostly in Jefferson County. Margot has also been active in the Denver community since 1989, serving on several local, non-profit boards, including the Denver Center for Performing Arts, Junior League, and the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, as well as many other health nonprofits. Presently, Margot is on the board of the Lotus Network.   

• Kevin C. Gallagher, MBA '03
  KC joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2004, over which time he has served as board vice chair as well as chair of the Athletic, Investment and Finance & Budget Committees. He is a passionate DU alum with a keen interest in DU’s athletics and recreation programs. He has provided substantial philanthropic support for DU athletics, as well as for scholarships in the Daniels College of Business, among other initiatives and programs. He currently serves as the chairman of Gallagher Industries, a family-held private equity firm. He also serves on several non-profit and corporate boards. 
• Peter A. Gilbertson, BA ‘75
  

  Peter joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2009. He is a proud alum with a bachelor of arts in American studies from DU. His philanthropic support helped make the Anderson Academic Commons possible. He is also a supporter of the Departments of Physics and History at DU, among other initiatives and programs. Peter currently serves as chair, president, and CEO of Anacostia & Pacific Company and Anacostia Rail Holdings, a transportation development and management services firm. He has experience serving on several corporate and non-profit boards.   

• James Griesemer, Parent '94, Parent '08
  

  Jim joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2012. He is professor and dean emeritus of the Daniels College of Business at DU. Prior to serving as dean, Jim was DU’s chief financial officer where he helped lead the financial turnaround of the University. Jim is also the parent of two DU alums. He has given support to an endowed scholarship, a research fellowship, the DU Women’s Gymnastics team, DU’s hockey program and other University programs. Jim holds a bachelor of arts and master’s degree in public administration from Northern Illinois University and a doctorate in public administration from the University of Colorado. He brings to the university extensive experience in public finance, policy and nonprofit management, including serving as city manager of several cities, including Aurora, CO, where he was named the Outstanding Public Administrator in Colorado.   

• Craig Harrison, BSBA '03
  

  Craig joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2015. He is a proud alum with Bachelor of Science in business administration from DU. He has made philanthropical impact on DU’s arts and humanities programs, the Pioneer Leadership Program, scholarships across the University, the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, DU’s Men’s Soccer program and other initiatives. Craig is currently managing director of Teton Partners, a holding company focused on agriculture and water-related assets in the Western U.S. He also serves on several non-profit and corporate boards.   

• Taylor Kirkpatrick, MBA '04
  

  Taylor joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2023. He is a proud alum with an International MBA from the Daniels College of Business at DU.

  From 2019 to 2021 Taylor served as advisory board chair of the Graduate School of Professional Psychology at DU. Through his service, philanthropy, and community partnerships, he helped establish a number of programs and services for the benefit of underserved children and families in the Denver community. His giving and service at DU have also benefited the College of Arts, Humanities & Social Sciences, University Libraries, Graduate School of Social Work, Fritz Knoebel School of Hospitality Management, and Daniels College of Business.

  Taylor is President & CEO of Babson Farms, a single-family office overseeing operating businesses in agriculture, manufacturing, logistics, insurance, diverse real estate investments, energy interests, and public and private equity investments. He also serves on the boards of several non-profit organizations and corporations. More personally, he is an acclaimed children’s book author and speaker-story teller.

• Brandon Johnson, BSBA '98
  

  Brandon joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2016. Brandon and his wife, Wendy, are both proud alums. While at DU, Brandon played varsity lacrosse and served as team captain his junior year. Brandon holds a master of science in finance and a bachelor of science in business administration, both from DU, as well as a Diplôme de Cuisine, culinary arts, from Le Cordon Bleu: Paris, France. Brandon is also a graduate of Leadership Denver, class of 2011. Brandon and his family have been significant philanthropic supporters of DU, having established three endowed scholarships, along with a number of significant initiatives over the years. He currently serves as principal and CEO of Johnson Financial Group, a Family Office and wealth management firm headquartered in Denver, CO. Brandon is the co-founder and director of the Brandon and Wendy Johnson Family Foundation, a private philanthropic foundation that supports numerous charitable causes across the country. Brandon serves on several non-profit boards, including Children’s Hospital Colorado Foundation and ACE Scholarships. 

• Jim Lentz, BS '77, MBA'78, Hon PhD ‘17
  

  Jim Lentz is retired chief executive officer, North America Region; president and chief operating officer of Toyota Motor North America, Inc. (TMA); and a senior managing officer of parent company Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC), located in Japan.

  Most recently, Lentz was president and chief executive officer of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc. (TMS) and senior vice president of TMA. Lentz previously held several executive positions, including Toyota division group vice president and general manager, where he oversaw all sales, logistics and marketing activities for Toyota and Scion regional sales offices and distributors.

  Lentz earned a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics and a Masters of Business Administration in Finance from the University of Denver.

• Wade Loo, BS '80
  

  Wade Loo joined the University of Denver in 2023. He is a proud alum with a bachelor of science in accounting from DU in 1980. He currently serves as the chair of the board of directors of the Silicon Valley Community Foundation (SVCF) in California, one of the largest community foundations in the U.S. Previously, he was a member of the board and chair of the audit committee of Guidance Software, Inc., a public software company. He also served as an independent director and audit committee chair for software company Kofax Limited. After serving for 30 years, Wade is a retired audit partner with KPMG, Prior to retiring, he served as a senior partner at KMPG. In addition, he led KPMG’s Audit Committee Institute (ACI). Wade is also the past chairman of the board of JobTrain, an organization helping people in need in East Palo Alto and surrounding communities find meaningful jobs. Wade is a member of the California CPAs, American Institute of Certified Public Accountants and California Society of CPAs. 

   

• Donna Lynne, Hon. PhD '14
  

  Donna serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Denver Health, the Rocky Mountain regions safety net hospital, providing care to more than a third of Denver's population each year. Dr. Lynne served as the Lieutenant Governor of Colorado from 2016-2019. She served as Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at Columbia University's Irving Medical Center and served in executive leadership positions at Kaiser Foundation Health Plan and Kaiser Foundation Hospitals, including leading strategy and business plans as President of the Colorado Region from 2005-2016.

  Dr. Lynne has been listed among Modern Healthcare’s Top 25 Women in Healthcare and has been recognized with the Distinguished Coloradan Award from the University of Colorado Denver and the Health Care Hero award from Project CURE. She sits on the Board of the Colorado Healing Fund and History Colorado, and has previously served on the Boards of Building a Better Colorado, the Colorado Education Initiative, and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

  She holds a bachelor’s degree in Economics and Political Science from University of New Hampshire, a Master of Public Administration from George Washington University, and a Doctor of Public Health from Columbia University. In 2014, Dr. Lynne received an honorary doctorate of public service from the University of Denver, and in 2017 an honorary bachelor of science degree in nursing from Colorado Mountain College.

• Greg Moore
  

  Greg joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2017. He holds a bachelor of arts in journalism and political science from Ohio Wesleyan University. Greg is a supporter of the University's Pioneer Leadership Program, as well as the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund. Greg currently serves as executive editor of The Expert Press, a news and information company. He also serves on several boards including as chairman of Polaris, the anti-human trafficking organization out of Washington, D.C., chairman of Delta Eta Boule Foundation in Denver, and trustee of the Boettcher Foundation and Gary Community Ventures.  Greg is the former editor-in-chief of the Denver Post. Previously, Greg has served as managing editor, among other positions, of the Boston Globe. He was also a former member of the Pulitzer Prize Board.   

• Trygve E. Myhren, Chair Emeritus
  

  Trygve E. Myhren is a trustee (since 1996) and emeritus chairman of the Board of Trustees at the University of Denver and a board member of the Social Science Foundation (supporting DU’s Korbel School of International Studies and Public Policy). His wife, Vicki, older son, Erik, son-in-law, Bruce and granddaughter, Lacey, all have DU degrees. The Victoria H. Myhren Gallery is one of many testaments to the Myhren’s passion for DU. 

  Mr. Myhren is a trustee of the Denver Art Museum and a member of the Colorado Forum. He has been inducted into both the Colorado Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame and the National Cable Television Hall of Fame. He is currently President of Myhren Media Inc., a private advisory and investment firm and is an advisor to Spruceview Capital (NYC) and a roster of early-stage venture companies.  

  Mr. Myhren played a key role in bringing Rockies baseball to Colorado. He also served as U.S. chief of mission at the 2006 Paralympic Games in Torino & Sestrierre, Italy and, more recently, has been executive producer of the award-winning documentary film “The Holly.”   

  Mr. Myhren graduated Dartmouth College and The Amos Tuck School of Business Administration and served as an officer in the U.S. Navy’s Pacific Fleet. He has been president or chairman & CEO of various companies such as The Providence Journal and King Holdings (both diversified media companies) and American Television and Communications Corporation (later known as Time Warner Cable) and a member of the Time Inc. Operating Committee. Mr. Myhren was formerly chairman of the National Cable Television Association and is a recipient of the industry’s Grand Tam, One-of-a-Kind and Vanguard Awards for leadership. He founded the Food Network and Northwest Cable News, and co-founded E Entertainment (now known as E!), Viewer's Choice, Cable Labs, The Cable Advertising Bureau, what is now known as The Marketing Society of the Cable and Telecommunications Industry (CTAM) and Ski-TAM (now known as Adaptive Spirit).   

  Mr. Myhren has served on the Boards of various public corporations and pro bono organizations such as Dreyfus Founders Funds, J.D. Edwards (now Oracle), Turner Broadcasting, Verio (now NTT), Peapod (now Ahold), Citizen's Bank (now RBS), Continental Cable (now Comcast), Rhode Island Hospital, Lifespan, National Jewish Medical Center, the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team Foundation and the National Cable Center.   

• Denise M. O'Leary, Chair Emerita
  

  Denise joined the University of Denver’s Board of Trustees in 2013. She served as DU’s board chair from 2018-2022. Her family’s philanthropy has supported many scholarships at DU, the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, the Chancellor’s Innovation Fund, career services, the Daniels College of Business and more. She holds an MBA from Harvard University and a bachelor of science in industrial engineering from Stanford. She currently serves as a corporate director at American Airlines and Medtronic, as well as a private investor in early-stage technology companies. She is also a member of the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution. Denise has considerable experience serving on non-profit and corporate boards.  

• Douglas G. Scrivner, JD '77, Chair Emeritus
  

  Doug joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2008 and is a proud DU alum, with a JD from DU, as well as an M.Sc in international relations from the London School of Economics and an AB in political Science from Duke University. Doug is a beloved and longstanding member of the DU community. He married his wife, Mary, on campus in DU’s Evans Chapel. In addition to his institute, The Doug and Mary Scrivner Institute for Public Policy, Doug served as DU’s board chair from 2014-2018, earning the prestigious recognition of chair emeritus. He has also served as chair of the Strum College of Law’s Visiting Committee, co-chair of Sturm’s Second Century Campaign, a member of IAALS’ Advisory Board of Educating Tomorrow’s Lawyers, and member of the executive committees at IALLS and the Barton Institute for Philanthropy and Social Enterprise. Previously, Doug has served as an adjunct professor at the Sturm College of Law. Outside DU, Doug has been a member of Sanford School of Public Policy’s board of advisors, Duke University’s Arts & Sciences Campaign Committee, and many others. In addition to his service, Doug and his wife have had an impactful philanthropic impact on the institution, supporting scholarships, research and programs in the law school, public policy, and on campus development. Prior to his retirement in 2011, Doug served as the General Counsel of Accenture, a global professional services company.  

• Catherine C. Shopneck, BFA '76, MBA '79
  “Cappy” joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2006. Cappy is a proud alum with a bachelor of fine arts and an MBA from the University of Denver. She was also a member of DU’s varsity women’s tennis team as an undergraduate. Her husband, Bob, is also a DU alum, as are numerous other family members. Cappy and bob are passionate supporters of DU’s tennis programs. They were one of the major contributors to DU’s partnership with The Walton Family Foundation and Denver Public Schools that lead to the creation of the Denver Tennis Park. Other support for DU has included career services, scholarships, the Kennedy Mountain Campus, the Korbel School of International Studies, and more. A past board member of numerous CO non-profits, Cappy currently serves as board chair of the Independence Institute, a state-based think-tank and is a board member of the Denver Tennis Park. She is the owner and principal at South Woods Financial, a private mortgage lending company.  
• Stephen Sturm, BA '13, MBA '14
  

  Stephen is the President & CEO of Alder Companies and has worked in various Sturm Family businesses over the past 15 years. He has experience across real estate, investments and philanthropy. He is a two-time graduate from the University of Denver with a BA in History and English in 2013, and an MBA in 2014. Stephen currently sits on the board of Sturm Financial Group, Inc., the Cherry Creek North Business Improvement District, and the Sturm Family Foundation. Previously, he was a member of the Board of Directors at History Colorado. Stephen is a sports and history enthusiast with two hound dogs.

• Otto Tschudi, BSBA ‘75
  

  Otto joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 1991 and is a proud DU alum with a bachelor of science in hotel and restaurant management and international business. His daughter, Solveig, is also a DU alum. A professional skier and Olympian for his home country of Norway, Otto is a passionate supporter of DU’s skiing program. He has also supported scholarships across the University, as well as having the original idea of building a DU campus in the Rockies--now a reality as the Kennedy Mountain Campus. Otto currently serves as managing director at Stifel Nicolaus Financial, a brokerage and investment bank. He is also a founding member of the Bob Beattie Ski Foundation and the Willy Schaeffler Ski Scholarship for disabled athletes and a partner/ owner of Norefjell Ski Resort, Norway, home of the 1952 Olympics.  

• Frederick T. Waldeck, BSBA ‘71
  

  Fred joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 1989 and is a DU alum with a bachelor of science from DU and an MBA from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. He and his family are supporters of the James C. Kennedy Mountain Campus, as well as scholarships across the university. Fred currently serves as senior managing director and co-head of global equity capital markets at Tishman Speyer, a commercial real estate firm. 

• Michael D. West, BS ’75, MBA ’81
  

  Mike joined the University of Denver Board of Trustees in 2021. He is a proud alum with a bachelor of science, business administration in accounting from DU, as well as an MBA from the Daniels College of Business. His wife, Etta, is also a DU alum. Part of one of the newer classes of trustees, Mike has helped support scholarships across DU, as well as Kappa Sigma. He currently serves as the chief financial officer at Millennium Bridge Capital, a small and middle-market focused private equity firm. Previously, he served nearly 30 years at Arthur Andersen where he was responsible for hiring many University of Denver graduates. Mike is highly involved in public service, serving in leadership roles on many non-profit and government boards and task forces, as well as several alumni groups at DU, including serving as a founding member and as the first chair of the DU Alumni Council. He has for many years served on DU’s School of Accountancy Advisory Board.