A graduate of Hillsdale College, Liz Tara has raised money for public policy organizations and most recently led advancement at The Salvation Army in Washington, DC. Now, after stepping into the role of program officer at the Foundation in 2019, she pulls from her past work to help nonprofits by using her head and heart.

When she’s not working, Liz Tara reads, keeps up with her big family, travels with her husband and is always on the hunt for the next best hummus recipe. Living in Colorado, Liz Tara of course loves to ski, but she’ll confess that the first time she ever encountered a ski slope, she ran into the man in front of her and went down the entire mountain hooked to his skis at a terrifyingly high speed.

Colorado native Carrie Tynan thinks she has the best job in the world. As the Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer, she oversees all Foundation operations, both charitable and non-charitable, and implements the trustees’ vision for America. She loves visiting nonprofits and learning how they are improving the lives of the people in their communities as well as finding new, innovative ways to have a larger impact. She says she is consistently impressed by the range of life-changing services nonprofits provide to Coloradans, and inspired by the way policy groups fight to protect our individual freedoms. Carrie jokes, “I’ve never met a nonprofit that I didn’t like; there would probably be no money left if I were in charge of the funding decisions!”

Before joining the Foundation, Carrie spent five years as an English teacher at J.K. Mullen High School. A graduate of the University of Texas, Carrie is involved with numerous nonprofits across the country and in the Denver area. Carrie and her husband are also busy parents keeping up with their two active kids. As a family, they all love anything outdoors, including golfing, skiing, hunting, and attending Colorado sporting events.

Suzi Marchena has been connected to the Foundation on the peripheral for decades. She has spent the last 20+ years in operations at some of the Foundation’s earliest grantees, Philanthropy Roundtable and Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. Her move back to the Mountain West brings her professional expertise to our team and brings her closer to family.

Suzi graduated from the University of Utah with a Bachelor of Science in sociology and human development and a minor in criminology (don’t try pulling anything over on her!). Suzi enjoys traveling with her family and is an avid soccer fan…Hala Real Madrid!

After a brief hiatus exploring for-profit opportunities, Rosemary Harris is thrilled to be returning and utilizing past experience from the non-profit/think tank world. She brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to the role as program officer. While she has a soft spot in her heart for the rural regions of Colorado, Rosemary is ready to ask the tough questions of each nonprofit…but don’t worry, she always does so with a smile.

Rosemary originally hails from the (second most) beautiful state, Washington, where she previously worked for the Washington Policy Center. She is a graduate of Franciscan University of Steubenville.

Staying true to her outdoorsy Pacific Northwest roots, when not in the office you can find Rosemary tracking down the best hikes, camping sites, and exploring the many mountain towns in Colorado. Don’t be surprised if you also find her trying out the many coffee shops (a great place for site visits😉) and breweries Denver and Colorado have to offer.

After more than a decade of client-focused work, Nicole Jennings brings her expertise to the  Grant Manager and Executive Assistant role. Her experience helps her handle the variety of taks and responsibilities this position entails. She has a proven track record of organizational prowess and attention to detail ensuring that all aspects of her work are carefully planned and executed. If you need anything, Nicole is the gal for you.

A dedicated member of her community, Nicole actively engages in mission-driven projects, leveraging her skills and passion to create positive change. Nicole is a proud mother of three boys, and she can often be found cheering for their sports teams. Her love for her family and community fuels her dedication to making a difference in the lives of others. She enjoys traveling and has been known to pack a bag in 15 minutes for spontaneous adventure.

Nicole’s blend of professional expertise, community involvement, and adventurous spirit makes her a valuable addition to the Adolph Coors Foundation team.

Ivette Diaz is passionate about people and their potential. As Program Officer, she thrives in championing nonprofit leaders and mining for the gold nuggets of their impact and innovation. Ivette has filled a range of roles in the social sector – from designing mentoring programs on Skid Row, Los Angeles to advancing faith-based and community initiatives and policy education in Washington, D.C. Most recently Ivette worked for Stand Together Foundation and prior to that led The LIBRE Institute for seven years.

Ivette earned her bachelor’s degree from Azusa Pacific University in Communications with a minor in Spanish which she earned in the Dominican Republic. Ivette hails from Southern California but has called Colorado home since 2012. She enjoys long road trips with her golden retriever, her pandemic-acquired hobby of sourdough baking, and squeezing in quality time with family wherever she can.

Ivette is thrilled to join the legacy of impact at the Adolph Coors Foundation and is excited to play a role in empowering the changemakers who are driving transformation in the centennial state and nationally.