Speakers

Dr. Rosemarie Allen, President & CEO, IREE, President- Douglas County Branch NAACP

President and CEO, Dr. Rosemarie Allen has served as an educational leader for over 40 years. Her life’s work is centered on ensuring ALL children have access to high quality early childhood programs that are developmentally appropriate and culturally sustaining. She is currently a Professor in the School of Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver and has served as the Director of the Division of Early Learning and in Youth Corrections with the Colorado Department of Human Services.

The Institute for Racial Equity & Excellence (IREE) is the lead agency for ensuring equity in organizations throughout the nation and internationally. In this capacity she has worked with the United States Department of Education as well as 47 State Departments of Education, the United States Customs and Border Protection, Public Broadcasting Service (PBS), Police Officer Standard Training (POST) and numerous police departments, school districts and other organizations providing training on implicit bias, microaggressions, anti-racism, trauma healing practices, and racial equity. Rosemarie has the distinct honor of being appointed as a “Global Leader” connecting with world leaders in early childhood across the globe.

She is the recipient of the prestigious T. Barry Brazelton Friends of Children Award, sharing this honor with other recipients such as First Ladies, Hilary Clinton, Rosalind Carter, and Laura Bush. She has been honored to receive the MLK Peace Award, the Rosa Parks Diversity Award and numerous other awards and honors. She earned her B. A. from California State University, Long Beach, Master’s of Education from Lesley University and Doctorate in Equity and Leadership in Education at the University of Colorado, Denver.

Dr. Mark Husbands, President, Denver Seminary

Dr. Mark Husbands, Denver Seminary’s eighth president, is an accomplished theologian, scholar, and leader in Christian higher education. An abiding commitment to the Centrality of Christ, the truth and efficacy of God’s Word, academic excellence, moral theology, and World Christianity has been central to his leadership and work as a theologian. Motivated to help students connect their faith and learning to the deepest needs and challenges of the world, Dr. Husbands has enriched the lives of many students throughout his many years of teaching and academic leadership.

Dr. Husbands earned a BA in Religious Studies with a minor in Music Performance from York University, followed by a master’s in theology from Wycliffe College at University of Toronto (Toronto School of Theology), where he studied the language philosophy of Ludwig Wittgenstein and Martin Heidegger. He completed his PhD in Christian Theology at the University of St. Michael’s College at the University of Toronto under the mentorship of renowned theologian John Webster, focusing on Karl Barth’s ethics of prayer.

Dr. Husbands most recently served as President and Vice-Chancellor of Trinity Western University (TWU), where he helped TWU to advance the development of Christian higher education around the globe. During his tenure, he also eliminated the university’s bank debt, raised $55 million in philanthropy, increased enrollment, and developed a strategic vision, emphasizing Christ-centered, student-focused education. Dr. Husbands has held numerous academic and leadership roles, including professor of Theology and director of extension and summer school at Tyndale Seminary, assistant professor of Theology at Wheaton College, and the Leonard and Marjorie Maas chair of Reformed Theology at Hope College. At Hope College, he developed the Emmaus Scholars Program, a program that engages students, academically, socially, and spiritually, with the goal of cultivating a lifelong commitment to integral mission, racial reconciliation, and community development. He also served as vice president for academic affairs at Northwestern College, overseeing significant academic and institutional advancements.

Dr. Husbands is a prolific author and editor, having published multiple edited volumes, and numerous scholarly articles, essays, and chapters on topics including Karl Barth’s theology, political and moral theology, and world Christianity. His areas of specialization are Christian Doctrine, Historical Theology, Moral Theology (ethics), Theology of Karl Barth, Reformation and Contemporary Theology, Christology, Doctrine of Reconciliation, Doctrine of the Church, Theological Anthropology.

Dr. Husbands is married to Rebekah, and they have three adult children, Olivia, Elliott, and Ethan.

Iman Jodeh, CO State Senator

Iman represents Senate District 29, Arapahoe County. She is a first generation American, and after being elected to Colorado House District 41 in 2020, became the first Muslim and first Arab woman elected to the Colorado Legislature. She has made healthcare, immigration, and housing her policy priorities while serving as a legislator. Senator Jodeh serves on the Senate Business, Labor, and Technology and Health and Human Services Committees.

She passed the Colorado Option, the largest healthcare bill in Colorado history, established the Office of New Americans for our newest neighbors, protected patients with medical debt forgiveness programs, and took evictions from 48 hours to 10 days. Iman is the Founder and Executive Director of the educational non-profit, Meet the Middle East, and a former lecturer at the University of Denver’s University College Enrichment Program.

She is the first female Spokesperson for the Colorado Muslim Society, the largest and oldest mosque in the Rocky Mountain region and is the past Community Advocate and Liaison at the Interfaith Alliance of Colorado, where she fought for progressive legislation.

Iman is also a proud board member at Ready to Work Aurora, and the Epilepsy Foundation of CO/WY. Iman is fluent in Arabic and maintains a second home in Ramallah, Palestine. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, spending time with her large family, and fly fishing the beautiful rivers of Colorado.

Gov. Jared Polis, State of Colorado

Governor Jared Polis is an entrepreneur, education leader, public servant, and Colorado native. After launching several successful companies, including one out of his college dorm room, Polis committed himself to making sure other Coloradans had the opportunity to pursue their dreams. Polis founded schools for at-risk students and new immigrants and started nonprofits to help veterans and entrepreneurs.

Prior to serving as Governor, Polis served on the State Board of Education where he worked to raise pay for teachers and reduce class size for students, and represented Colorado’s 2nd Congressional district, where he was rated the most effective member of the Colorado delegation.

As Governor, Polis has focused on saving Coloradans money, keeping our economy strong, and preserving our Colorado way of life. Polis delivered universal free full-day kindergarten, signed a number of bills to save families money on health care, and made significant progress towards the goal of 100% renewable energy by 2040, all while cutting taxes for small businesses and investing in affordable housing and transportation. His efforts to expand health care access to medically underserved communities and to ensure that equity and justice remain central to building a Colorado for All have produced impactful legislation and made progress toward his administration’s bold vision.

Gretchen Rydin, CO State Representative

Gretchen Rydin is the new state representative for House District 38 and previously was elected to the Littleton City Council for a four-year term, where she served the first two years a Mayor Pro Tem. She chaired the Regional Opioid Council directing more than $49M in funding for substance use prevention, treatment, harm reduction, recovery, and criminal justice programs in Arapahoe County. She also fought for Littleton’s inclusive housing ordinance, which passed in 2022, mandating 5% of any new housing development as affordable.

She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Brigham Young University and her Masters in Social Work (MSW) at Howard University. She holds a license in clinical social work (LCSW) and a license in addiction counseling (LAC). She spent two years working at a crisis walk-in clinic before transitioning to outpatient therapy. Now, specializing in trauma and addiction, she counsels individuals, couples, and groups at a community mental health center. She is honored to learn from my clients as they navigate challenges and step forward in resilience. Prior to obtaining her MSW, she worked for a human rights organization in Washington, D.C. advancing the rights of LGBTQ+ people, protecting refugees, and fighting human trafficking. She also served on the board of the InterFaith Council of Metropolitan Washington.

Greg Schaller, Director Centennial Institute, CCU

Greg Schaller returned to CCU as director of the Centennial Institute, effective January 2, 2025. He will focus on intentional and innovative programs designed to cultivate a generation of principled graduates who are grounded in conservative values, guided by Christian principles and equipped to espouse conservative ideals while promoting biblical truths. Through Centennial Institute’s academic lectures, thought-provoking workshops and engagement in public policy initiatives, CCU will impact culture and foster a deep understanding of faith and freedom.

Schaller was named president of the John Jay Institute in March 2017, a graduate fellowship program focused on preparing principled leaders for faith-informed public service. Under his leadership, the program tripled in size. Prior to his work at John Jay, Schaller served as an associate professor of politics at CCU from 2009-2017, and during his tenure, he launched a successful student internship program that has connected numerous students with experiences in the Colorado and U.S. capitols, as well as various public policy organizations, such as The Heritage Foundation and the American Enterprise Institute (AEI). In addition to his teaching and mentorship, he has served as a fellow at the Centennial Institute.

Schaller also taught at Villanova University and St. Joseph’s University. He holds a B.A. in political science and history from Eastern University and an M.A. in political science from Villanova University. His expertise includes American government, constitutional law, statesmanship and public policy.

Phil Weiser, CO State AG

Phil Weiser is serving his second term as the 39th attorney general of the state of Colorado. Since becoming the state’s chief legal officer in 2019, Attorney General Weiser has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to serving the people of Colorado, advancing the rule of law, protecting our democracy, and promoting justice for all. Through engagement and collaborative problem solving, the Colorado Department of Law has achieved significant milestones under Weiser’s leadership.

Protecting consumers is one of Weiser’s key priorities. In 2019, he worked with the state legislature to strengthen the Colorado Consumer Protection Act to give the attorney general’s office more tools to crack down on scams, as well as unfair and deceptive business practices. High-profile investigations have resulted in more than $250 million in refunds, credits, and debt relief for Colorado consumers. Holding drug manufacturers and distributors accountable for their roles in creating and fueling the opioid crisis is a hallmark of Weiser’s work, including securing over $787 million in settlement funds for treatment, recovery, and prevention education programs across the state.

Weiser is dedicated to improving the criminal justice system and advancing public safety. Peace officer training and recruitment is a core part of Weiser’s agenda, and as the chair of the Colorado Peace Officer Standards and Training Board, he has directed the first update to the state’s officer training curriculum in 30 years. Weiser also has advocated fervently for victims of crime.

Colorado’s natural beauty is core to our way of life, and Weiser’s commitment to protecting our land, air, and water has led to several actions. These actions include leading the effort to secure more than $6.6 million in settlement funds for natural resources damages in the Bonita Peak Mining District in southwestern Colorado, shoring up the state’s interests in negotiations over the future of the Colorado River, and fighting for statewide compensation for harm caused by PFAS “forever chemicals” in our water. He has also successfully fought in courts for clean car standards and the federal Methane Rule.

A stalwart defender of equality, Weiser champions reproductive rights, LGBTQ rights, and the freedom to vote in state and federal courts. He argued landmark cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, including Colorado Department of State v. Baca, where the court affirmed that the states have the exclusive authority to appoint and, if necessary, remove presidential electors when they violate their pledges.

Weiser has made youth mental health a central focus in his second term. Actively leading multistate investigations into Meta and TikTok for their impact on our children’s well-being, he also sued Juul Labs, securing $31.7 million for vaping cessation, prevention, and youth mental health programs.

Before his time as attorney general, Weiser was the dean of the University of Colorado Law School. He also served as a law clerk to U.S. Supreme Court Justices Byron R. White and Ruth Bader Ginsburg, and held senior positions in the U.S. Department of Justice in the Clinton and Obama administrations. The son and grandson of Holocaust survivors, Weiser is deeply committed to the American Dream and ensuring opportunity for all Coloradans. Weiser lives in Denver with his wife, Dr. Heidi Wald, and their two children.