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D.B. Wilson, a fourth-generation Coloradan and lifelong Buff, displays a legacy marked by selfless devotion to CU Boulder, thoughtful leadership and unwavering support for the university's mission. His contributions have left a lasting impact, making him a deserving recipient of the Leanne Skupa-Lee Award.  

D.B.’s connection to campus spans decades — his great-grandfather was the contractor for Macky Auditorium. During his own time on campus, he formed lasting friendships as a member of Sigma Nu Fraternity and served as president of the house board after graduation. His passion for CU grew when he met his wife, Cindy (PE’79), also a CU alum. Recently celebrating their 45th wedding anniversary, they have passed their Buff pride down to their children and grandchildren.

D.B. graduated from CU Boulder in 1975 and began his career as a realtor in Boulder, going on to become the managing broker of Boulder RE/MAX in 1990. Under his guidance, the office was named the top-producing RE/MAX office in the U.S. seven times. He was recognized as Manager of the Year by RE/MAX International and served twice as president of the Boulder Area Realtor Association.

D.B.'s commitment to CU Boulder extends beyond his professional life. A dedicated football season ticket holder for 44 years, he has consistently supported the university through donations to athletics and the Business School since the early 1990s. He is a founding member of the Flatirons Society and an active member of Forever Gold, contributing annually to Forever Gold Scholarships.

His most significant impact may be his service on the Forever Buffs Advisory Board. As chair, he helped transition the board from a tactical to a strategic advisory council, diversifying its membership to reflect CU's alumni. Under his leadership, the board became a dynamic entity, engaging with university leadership and addressing critical challenges.

D.B.'s strategic advising has been crucial in shaping CU Boulder's future. He collaborated with the Office of IT, participated in strategic sessions for CU's 150th Anniversary and provided invaluable alumni perspectives to CU Boulder Marketing. His efforts have strengthened alumni relations and support for student scholarships.

Ryan Chreist, executive director of the alumni association, aptly summarizes D.B.'s service: "D.B. exemplifies what it means to serve selflessly as a volunteer, making CU a better place for all."

Tom Shepherd’s CU Boulder family pride has a wide range: His mother, wife, son and several extended family members are all Forever Buffs. 

He wanted this huge display of school enthusiasm to be evident in other CU families, too. So, as a master of getting things done — evident in his work as the now-retired vice president of logistics for global berry company Driscoll’s — he got to work on a new university initiative. 

The Buffalo Legacy Program launched during his nine-year tenure on the CU Boulder Alumni Association’s Advisory Board. Today, through the program — which Tom donates to — first-year students with parents, step-parents or grandparents can apply for legacy-related scholarships, and graduating students can wear a complimentary black and gold cord over their gowns during commencement ceremonies. 

“Through Tom’s ongoing commitment and work, hundreds of families and students are positively impacted each year,” said Julann Andresen (Mktg’85), senior director of Forever Buffs engagement and outreach. 

Tom served on the board of advisors from 2008 to 2012 and from 2015 to 2020, notching nearly a decade of volunteer time for the Alumni Association, including four years as chair of the board. Despite his prominent career position directing logistics for Driscoll’s, he flew to Boulder from his California home several times a year for board meetings and was instrumental in transitioning the board from one focused on committees and tactics to a group focused on strategy and initiatives.

His strategic input on how the alumni board could better support the rapidly changing Alumni Association and university will endure for years to come. 

“The change he has enacted leaves a generational impact on supporting and growing our alumni and university,” said Colin Finch (PolSci’05), former Alumni Association Advisory Board chair. 

Outside of the Alumni Association, Tom was involved with the Professional Mentorship Program with the Leeds School of Business for 12 years.  

Said Alumni Association executive director Ryan Chreist (Kines'96, MPubAd'09): “Tom exemplifies what it means to serve selflessly as a volunteer to make CU a better place.”

As part of the CU Boulder community since childhood, Stephen Hatfield exemplifies what it means to be a Forever Buff. 

Stephen grew up in Boulder and surrounded by the world of CU, where his father was an adjunct professor in the interdisciplinary telecommunications program. This connection to the university led him to discover what would become his ultimate passion: CU Athletics. 

From an early age, Stephen was often in the stands at football games, cheering on his beloved Buffaloes in Folsom Field. Years later, he enrolled at CU and graduated with a degree in business administration, later earning his executive master’s of business administration from CU Denver in 2003.

After years of putting his business acumen to work in marketing and sales roles, he returned to CU Boulder where he joined the Forever Buffs Alumni Association Advisory Board from 2019 to 2020. He went on to serve as chairperson of the board from 2020 to 2022, serving both the Boulder and Denver chapters. 

During this time, Stephen worked on several impactful engagement and fundraising opportunities, including a showing of documentary film Mission Mt. Mangart, which chronicles the story of the 10th Mountain Division ski troops. This event was the most successful fundraising event for any Forever Buffs chapter to date.

While on the board, Stephen was known for his contagious excitement whenever he gained momentum on a project or solicited support. Even in the midst of the 2021 Marshall Fire tragedy in Boulder County — amid a global pandemic, nonetheless — Stephen’s positivity and professionalism persevered. He is a shining example of grace and professionalism, capable of stepping into any role that needs extra attention. 

“Stephen’s leadership is directly attributable to our success,” said Andrew North, chapter officer of Forever Buffs Boulder. “In his first year as a board member, Stephen executed multiple events of unprecedented scope, attracting numerous high-profile attendees and top donors, which garnered significant funds for scholarships.”

Stephen even carries the spirit of CU Boulder into his personal life: For a milestone birthday, he asked guests to make contributions to the CU Boulder Alumni Association scholarship program in lieu of gifts for himself. 

With his innate capacity for empathy, Stephen continues to build and nurture relationships with CU faculty, staff and students, always on the prowl for new ways to affect positive change in people’s lives. His undeniable and unwavering dedication to the CU community makes him a quintessential recipient of the Leanne Skupa-Lee Award.

Vanessa Lopez thrives on giving back to her community.

A board member for both the Forever Buffs Latinx club and Forever Buffs Boulder chapter, Lopez consistently takes a leadership role in building connections and creating impact.

“It is likely impossible to calculate the total hours that Vanessa has volunteered with the Forever Buffs community, but it is clear that her ongoing dedication has had a tremendous impact on the efforts of the university,” said Aja Ringenbach, program manager for alumni volunteer engagement. “She is consistently a volunteer who stands out above the rest.”

Take her role in the Buffs Give Back national volunteer event, which returned last spring. When Lopez heard the event was coming back after a pandemic hiatus, she immediately became a project leader for both Forever Buffs Latinx and Forever Buffs Boulder, coordinating two different shifts for volunteers at the Marshall Fire Donation Center.

With Lopez at the helm, the groups spent the day unpacking, sorting and shelving donations for individuals impacted by the fires in Superior, Louisville and unincorporated Boulder County. Both shifts filled up completely, and Lopez — who has participated in four Buffs Give Back projects to date — was able to connect with over 20 local Buffs, including several alumni who had not regularly engaged with the groups before.

Lopez also finds joy in building connections with students. A co-chair for the May 2022 Latinx Graduation, she had a direct, positive impact on the experience of graduating Buffs. With planning that began in January, she was highly intentional and vocal about creating a meaningful event that represented the values of the CU Boulder Latinx community.

As a volunteer for the Forever Buffs scholarship program, Lopez has helped provide students with transformative scholarship awards. In 2022, she reviewed 41 scholarship applications — when the average reviewer reads only 10 to 15. In all, Lopez helped the Forever Buffs Latinx club award $30,000 to 10 deserving students, and she helped start the new Forever Buffs First Generation Scholarship, awarding $15,000 to five students.

In all, Lopez remains committed to giving back to her CU community. She said, “While we all can’t reach global or even national recognition for our contributions to society, we all are capable of making an important impact in someone’s life.”

If Lisa Ayala-Williams is your mentor, you’ve got a friend for life. The former Disney vice president has been a CU student mentor since 2012.

She makes time for regular communication, lending support, career guidance and networking. A former student even landed her dream job in marketing at Walt Disney Animation Studios after Ayala-Williams helped her become an intern.

“She truly bleeds black and gold and is always promoting the benefits of a CU Boulder education and staying involved with the institution, to everyone with whom she interacts,” said the Alumni Association’s senior director, Julann Andresen. 

In 2002, Ayala-Williams joined the film marketing team at Walt Disney Studios Home Entertainment as a supervising producer. As a vice president for eight years, she led creative services and strategic marketing teams at The Walt Disney Studios. Over a more than 17-year tenure, she and her teams created global advertising campaigns for Disney, Pixar, Star Wars and Marvel films on digital, movie apps, DVD, Blu-Ray and for 3D theatrical film releases.

While working, Ayala-Williams also established a strong relationship with CU Boulder, beginning with the Leeds School of Business and expanding to the Alumni Association. She served as an executive board member for the Alumni Association for nearly four years, serving as a brand ambassador to help guide decisions related to alumni and student programming, especially Homecoming Weekend. 

While she’s proud of her many creative awards, becoming CU’s PAC-12 “Spotlight Alumnus” in 2016 was a career highlight.

At Leeds, she’s a three-time “Mentor of the Year” nominee. She also regularly speaks to MBA student groups and on women’s panels. 

“Every time Lisa visits Boulder, we get together for a meal to catch up and discuss our goals,” said a mentee of Lisa’s in 2017. “Lisa’s love of the university is contagious, and makes me look forward to coming back and being involved as an alumnus.”

Today, Ayala-Williams is also a board member for ForeverGold, a highly engaged group of alumni and friends of the university who advance CU through the support of student scholarships, capital projects and increasing overall engagement. 

Said Andresen, “CU Boulder needs more involved, engaged and generous people like Lisa.”

To know Carrie Scott was to know passion, tenacity and kindness. One of her greatest passions was her alma mater, where her legacy lives on in the community she nurtured and the students whose lives she touched.

A devoted CU Boulder fundraiser and Parent Leadership Society leader, Carrie loyally served CU until her death last year at age 60.

After shepherding daughter Shoshanna (Art’17) into the CU family, she catalyzed the growth of the CU parent community in Southern California, hosting events at her home and generating major financial resources for CU student services.

“The southern California community continues to grow today thanks to Carrie,” a CU partner said.

Carrie, who had a 20-year career in advertising, was also involved in a series of charities, including Dollies Making a Difference, Birthright, Stop Cancer and Jewish Federation. She loved strolling beaches, playing Mahjong, scuba diving and traveling.

While at CU, she attended Semester at Sea — paying for it herself by successfully auditioning for Hollywood Squares and winning $15,000 in prizes.

In addition to Shoshanna, Carrie is survived by her children Zachary and Rachel, and her husband of 31 years, Michael B. Scott.

“Carrie once told me that the best thing you could do for the world is to help children achieve their goals in life,” a fellow CU parent said. “She did just that, time and time again.”

Up until a month before she died of cancer, Carrie was still referring students and parents to her beloved CU. Said another CU parent, “Colorado was ingrained in her soul.”

Scott Steinbrecher is a big-picture guy who sweats the details.

When he coordinated a CU scholarship fundraising event, nothing went unnoticed. Tickets for 200 people, food and drinks to satisfy a crowd, a busy silent auction… Scott juggled it all.

Amid the happy hubbub, Scott, an international student programs coordinator at CU Denver, kept the event’s fundraising mission front and center. He’s proud to have raised and awarded over $75,000 in scholarships for incoming CU freshmen during his time with the Boulder alumni chapter. Of course, he had lots of enthusiastic Boulder chapter volunteers also hard at work in generating those funds.

An active CU volunteer since 1990, Scott has led the Boulder alumni chapter and chaired its scholarships committee. He‘s also been an important voice on the Alumni Association Board of Advisors.

Also a member of CU Advocates, the university’s official grassroots network, Scott has helped build a stronger link between the program and the Boulder alumni chapter, to the benefit of students, alumni and community members.

“He is always keeping an eye out for appropriate connections to advance the reach, exposure and mission of CU,” a fellow Advocate said.

Always looking for unique ways to support, celebrate and recruit students, Scott has represented the university at college admission fairs and serves on the board of the Buffalo Bicycle Classic, which raises money for CU scholarships. In 2017 and 2018, he even led the Homecoming Parade down Pearl Street, ensuring that the student groups did not run into the band.

Whether he’s juggling details or rousing a crowd, Scott keeps CU close to his heart.

As a Directors Club member put it, “Scott represents what it means to be a truly engaged alum, putting countless time and energy into strengthening our alumni association and alumni family.”

If there’s a CU celebration happening in Kansas City, Alex Passett knows about it — and probably planned it. Since assuming the role of Kansas City Alumni Chapter president in 2001, the loyal Buff has hosted hundreds of CU events, including tailgates, watch parties and spirited send-offs for Boulder-bound freshmen and their parents. At the 2007 pregame he organized at Kansas State, he fed the entire CU Marching Band.

Each year, Alex — senior project manager at digital marketing agency Intouch Solutions — hosts at least six football and five basketball watch parties for local Buffs fans. Representing CU, he annually volunteers at a high school college fair, and he’s led selection of the chapter’s student scholarship recipients since 2001. Alex’s enthusiasm for all things silver and gold has led to a reliable corps of 30 alumni in the Kansas City area who attend nearly every local CU event. “We’ve watched his kids grow up in front of us at tailgate parties, watch parties and picnics,” says a fellow chapter member. Alex has made his mark in Boulder, too. He served five years on the Alumni Association’s then-board of directors and was instrumental in implementing the Forever Buffs dues-free membership model in effect today. He also organized two successful fall reunions for his fraternity, Lambda Chi Alpha, drawing alumni from as far as Hawaii and Canada. Said a peer: “CU could not possibly mean more to anyone else as it does Alex.” 

Svein Hasund is the volunteer organizations yearn for. Fortunately for CU Boulder, Svein is around a lot. When Svein gives his time, which is often, he’s fully committed. He’s among the first to arrive and last to leave. 

At an Alumni Association event for nearly 2,500 graduating CU seniors this spring, Svein, who was then 74, stood and greeted students for four hours straight. Immediately after the party ended, he put himself to work hauling tables without a word.

“I think anyone in our organization would agree that he is our most dedicated event volunteer,” said an Alumni Association staffer.

Svein’s time serving CU has more than made up for the years he lost touch with the university during his 42-year career in the oil and gas industry, both on- and off-shore. The Norway native lived in places as far away as Alaska and the UK. However, his strongest CU tie was with him the whole time: Svein met Pauline, his wife of more than 50 years, while a student here. Their sons are also CU graduates.

In addition to their own children, the couple has contributed to the lives of more than 55 babies through philanthropic efforts and foster programs.

Since returning to Boulder in 2000, Svein has served on the Alumni Association and Directors Club boards among other CU commitments.

As a board peer put it: “He believes in the institution of CU and is willing to do whatever is needed to spread the word.”

If there’s a CU game to be watched, Buffs in Los Angeles know where to show up: Grunion’s Sports Bar and Grill. It’s all thanks to Barbara Cooke. As the L.A. alumni chapter leader since shortly after its founding in 1988, Barb has ensured that L.A. Buffs have a place...

to watch the biggest CU athletic events. Today, the chapter remains one of the most active in the country.

“Barb’s enthusiasm, love of all things CU and sincere inclusiveness were the recipe for success that set a standard for other alumni chapter gatherings,” said a former Alumni Association staff member.

In addition to the watch parties — which often include a roaring rendition of the “CU Fight Song” — Barb coordinates the yearly awarding of scholarships to Los Angeles CU students, participates in high-school college fairs and admissions events, and leads a team of alumni volunteers in organizing a range of alumni activities in the Los Angeles area from networking events to concerts. To stay current with the university, Barb often travels to Boulder.

“Her leadership and mentorship as I was forming the Minneapolis/St. Paul Chapter was invaluable,” said a fellow chapter leader.

The L.A. chapter holds a special personal tie to Barbara too. At the first organizational meeting for the chapter, she met her now-husband Raymond (Fin’79), who also remains committed to its success.

“I’m willing to bet that Los Angeles has the longest-running CU football watch party location outside of Colorado,” said Ray. “We’ve probably outlasted four owners of that Manhattan Beach bar, and it’s Barb who keeps it going.”

Besides Barb’s involvement with the local CU alumni chapter, Barb is a former member of the CU Alumni Association Advisory Committee, and recently retired from 30 plus years as a IT Project Manager and Consultant.  She also serves as a chapter leader for her Professional Organization, Project Management Institute Los Angeles, having lead that chapter as its president and now as a Trustee for the past 10 years.  Barb and Ray live by the beach in Los Angeles, along with one very spoiled two year old cat, Dusty.

As both student and proud alum, Colin Finch, a senior project manager at software firm Four Winds Interactive, has been involved in club sports, helping grow the swim team to a consistently victorious National Champion.

From 2001-2012 Colin served on the Department of Recreation’s Board of Directors, overseeing the multi-million-dollar budget and policies. He was a vocal champion for the $63.5-million Rec Center renovation project, completed in 2014.

The day CU broke ground for the renovated Rec Center, Colin retired from his 12-year role. He had a lot to be proud of — and new ways of serving CU in mind.

Since then, Colin has taken the helm of the Boulder Alumni Chapter and set his sights on bettering CU through additional roles on the executive committee of the Alumni Association Board of Advisors and the CU Directors Club.

Under his leadership the chapter has diversified the type of events it hosts and grown the number of annual events to 30. The chapter has created its own branding and has partnered with the Alumni Association, the CU Advocates, and others to engage more alumni.  Currently the Chapter is building a scholarship endowment.

Colin is the youngest executive board member of The CU Directors Club, which offers 12 CU scholarships, contributions toward capital improvements and special projects, as well as exceptional events that enhance and engage interest in an enduring connection to CU.  

For his tireless work for CU, Finch was named CU Advocate of the Year in 2015.

• 2014: Thomas Selnau
• 2013: Doug Nelson (Anth’77)
• 2012: Brian Corcoran (BusFin’99)
• 2011: Sue Duris-McMurdy (Econ’84)
• 2010: Mary Allen Judd (PolSci’80)
• ​2009: David M. Oliver (Arch’79)
• 2008: Robert Cohen (Econ’73)
• 2007: Scott Wood (A&S ex’77)
• 2006: Monica Frazer Irvine (PolSci’97)
• 2006: Peter Irvine (Engl’97)
• 2005: Colleen Susu Leong Markham (Rec’80)
• 2005: Gregory K. Markham (Geol’79, Law’83)
• 2004: Richard L. Haynes (A&S’50, MEdu’57)
• 2002: John Chandler (Fin’74)
• 2001: George Gramer Jr. (Span’73, MA’74)
• 2000: Kimberly Ann Clayton (Mktg’84)

• 1999: Thomas W. McEntee (Fin’88)
• 1998: Debra A. Martinez (Comm’83)
• 1996: Jonathan Cohen (A&S’83)
• 1995: Angus McNeely (Econ’81)
• 1994: Erin McCarney Lunceford (Econ’83)
• 1993: Helen Grubbs (Soc’39, MPubSer’52)
• 1992: Barbara Kagin Phillips (Comm’70)
• 1991: Judy Brett Thompson (Bus’65)
• 1990: Michael Loeb (A&S’65)

• 1989: Beverly Pettit Christians (A&S’58)
• 1988: Ann Leutwiler Gasaway (SocSci’57)
• 1987: Winifred Clegg Smith (Hist’61)
• 1986: Steven D. Schmidt (Econ’73)
• 1985: Sara Raddatz Henry (Edu’62)
• 1984: Gloria Parnham Bradfield (Adv’59