Today, you will meet Christine Benero, who starts every day by reading about the inclusive leaders far and wide throughout the GlobalMindED Inclusive Success Network. You will see the prism of her light and how she shines brighter with the knowledge of each of you every day. You will have the same beacon of inspiration knowing her path and courageous story, only some of which is captured below. If you don’t know this wonderful woman yet, you will meet her at GlobalMindED’s Ten Year Anniversary event as she is one of the generous Colorado leaders welcoming all to the Mile High City. We love you, Christine!
A Lifelong Journey of Resilience and Community Contributions Through Service, Leadership, Impact and Legacy: Meet Christine Benero, President and CEO of Mile High United Way
What is your personal/professional story?
I am the proud daughter of two New Yorkers, but raised in Colorado, so I am a Colorado girl. Inspired by my two extraordinary grandmothers, who, along with my mother, broke all kinds of barriers for the times - they instilled in me the power of education and the joy of service, giving me my first glimpse of building a community.
My educational journey took me to Boston University and then to Harvard for a Master's in Education. My first job out of school was as a special education teacher for adjudicated teenagers in rural New Hampshire. The lessons learned of how systems can often leave so many families behind have been with me my entire career. My next stop was as the director of Vermont’s first employer-supported child care center and gave me my first true understanding of the power of public policy. More work in the early childhood space led me to a career-changing experience working for Target Stores and their corporate foundation.
You never know where unexpected connections will take you, and a phone call from a dear friend led me to Washington DC to work in the Clinton administration and then the Bush administration for AmeriCorps, a true community-building initiative. Finding myself in DC on September 11th, another life-changing moment, led me back home to Colorado and the great privilege of serving as CEO of the American Red Cross, Mile High Chapter. The recurring lesson of unexpected phone calls from dear friends led me to the job I waited for my entire career- serving as the President and CEO of Mile High United Way. As Coloradans, we should take great pride that we were the first United Way in the country, founded with the belief that when you unite a community together, you can solve the most complex problems.
For the past fifteen years, I have been surrounded by the most extraordinary team of people and volunteers who get up every day with the sole purpose of serving their community. I could not be more grateful to be in their company, to learn from them every day, and to be doing this work.
What key moments in your life led you to where you are today?
The key turning points in my life have all been due to being willing to say yes, even when I was unsure or didn’t want to go somewhere. Saying yes or just showing up led me to meet the most amazing people who opened doors for me that I never imagined for myself. I have been so blessed to have the most unexpected career because of a network of people who believed in me.
Where does your passion to serve come from?
My mother’s mother was a public health nurse in the 1920s, my father’s mother was an immigrant from Cuba, a concert pianist and community piano teacher, my mother a journalist, and my father a marine. The lessons of service, telling stories, and being part of a community have surrounded me my entire life. Teachers and neighbors who showed up for us in tough times instilled in me the joy of being there for each other. I think it is what makes Colorado so very special.
How can GlobalMindED help you reach your goals?
GlobalMindedED has put a stake in the ground to build the next generation of community leaders, to inspire, and to educate. The most impactful leaders I have met do not necessarily have a fancy title, but rather the lived experience of a life of service. The work of GlobalMindED to create that pipeline of diverse community leaders is what will continue the mission of Mile High United Way and keep Colorado thriving for everyone who calls our community home.
