Mara Mintzer, Coordinator
Mara Mintzer is a Research Affiliate with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Children, Youth and Environments (CYE) Center. In this role since 2009, she has served as co-coordinator for Growing Up Boulder, a child- and youth-friendly city initiative. Prior to working with CYE, Mara was the Director of Belle Haven Community School in Menlo Park, California, where she oversaw coordinated child and family support services for hundreds of families on a school campus. She has designed and implemented a wide variety of programs for low-income children, families and neighborhoods in both New York and California. Mara received her Bachelor’s of Psychology with honors from Brown University and her Master’s of Arts in Organizational Psychology with honors from Columbia University.
Tori Derr, Coordinator
Tori Derr is a Senior Instructor in the Program in Environmental Design at the University of Colorado, Boulder. She is interested in community engagement in design and planning, increasing youth voice through arts and planning, sustainable design, biophilic design, children's access to nature, and food systems change. Tori has worked with children and youth in museum, natural resources & garden education, and planning contexts for the past 20 years. She has worked with diverse populations in The Gambia, New Mexico, California, Florida, and Colorado. Tori has worked with Growing Up Boulder since January of 2012.
Gianni Franceschi, Intern, spring 2013
My name is Gianni Franceschi and I am currently a sophomore at the University of Colorado in Boulder, where I study Environmental Design with an emphasis on Architecture. I worked on the Boulder Civic Area project a bit, and I'm currently working as an intern on a Photovoice Project with kids associated with the Youth Service Initiative in the North Boulder Rec Center. I was raised in Miami, FL, which definitely influenced me to create cultural and ethnically inclusive surroundings wherever they seem to be needed. With two little brothers and numerous volunteer hours with kids, I've found that I work very well with youth. Not only do I influence them on certain levels, but they also influence me in imaginative, creative, and thoughtful ways. My dream is to design sustainable housing sites in South America for low income families. Until then, I am enjoying Colorado and my experience with Growing Up Boulder!
Pier Luigi Forte, Visiting Scholar, fall 2012
Pier Luigi Forte is a student of the combined bachelor and master in Architecture and Building Engineering of the University of Bologna (Italy). His interests and research move around architecture and environmental design as part of the wider field of urban development of cities. He is now conducting research as visiting scholar to engage youth in planning the Boulder Civic Area and Burke Park. He is researching also on the design of shading structures for the Columbine Elementary School in Boulder. He is the designer and developer of this website.
Ilaria Fiorini, Visiting Scholar, fall 2012
Ilaria Fiorini is a student of the combined bachelor and master in Architecture and Building Engineering at the University of Bologna (Italy). Her studies relate architecture, urban planning and design. She also has experience as educator for youth and children. She is currently a visiting researcher at CYE to complete her curriculum degree. She is involved in Growing Up Boulder with projects for the Civic Area and the Burke Park and her research focuses also on the design of shading structures for the Columbine Elementary School in Boulder.
Katherine Buckley, Intern, 2012-13 school year
Hello! I am Katherine Buckley and I am currently a senior at CU Boulder studying psychology and architecture, and interning with Growing Up Boulder. I'll be working on the Boulder Civic Area project and also revisioning Burke Park in South Boulder. I'm originally from San Diego, CA and contrary to most of my fellow Californian classmates at CU, I did not come here for winter sports – in fact, I had never seen snow until I came here! The reason I chose CU was because it's gorgeous and I wanted to try something new and to actually experience different seasons, which was a big shock coming from southern California! However, it turns out that I love it here and know it'll be hard to leave next Spring, but I am excited to pursue urban planning and design in some great city like New York or Chicago!
Kate Armbruster, Intern, fall 2012
Hello everyone! My name is Kate Armbruster. I am senior at the University of Colorado at Boulder. I will be graduating in the spring with a degree in environmental design with an emphasis in architecture. In the future I want to focus on residential architecture and interior design. Right now I am an intern with Growing Up Boulder and working on the Boulder Civic Area and Burke Park projects. I have a lot of experience working with children and adults. These projects have given me the opportunity to combine working with many different age groups and design; I have loved every moment! In my spare time I enjoy triathlons, painting, any outdoor activity and new adventures. Life is what you make of it; Let’s explore!
