Board of Directors

Drew serves as Co-Director of the Civic Canopy, a local non-profit organization working to build stronger neighborhoods and healthier communities via community dialogues and collaborative projects such as Neighborhood Vital Signs. Drew brings his experience as a non-profit leader and his skill in facilitating effective dialogue and planning to the MHBA.

David Braden made his living as a lawyer but his passion is gardening. In 2004 David sold his law practice in order to pursue his ideas about how we can organize ourselves, to employ nature's processes, to produce an abundance of what humans need to thrive. In 2009 David began building community gardens using a No Weed, No Water, No Till, Deep Mulched, Drip Irrigated Gardening system which is documented at the web site. The goal of David's company, Organic Landscape Design, is to convert all the lawns in Colorado into gardens and to support the many permaculture maintenance technicians that transformation will require.

Arthur has operated custom software development companies for the past two decades, and currently leads The Geek Gene. An experienced entrepreneur and systems architect, Arthur brings his geeky capacities, deep understanding of community dynamics & economics, and fearless leadership to the MHBA.

Richard has worked on sustainable business and policy issues for over twenty-five years. He is the Public Policy Director for the American Sustainable Business Council, a growing coalition of business networks and businesses committed to advancing policies that support a vibrant, just and sustainable economy. Richard is also the President of The Progress Group, which focuses on clean energy, social entrepreneurship and sustainability issues. At The Progress Group, he directs the Greater Good Academy, an 8-week business development-training program for low and moderate income entrepreneurs in how to build triple bottom line businesses.

He currently serves adjunct faculty at the University of Denver teaching courses on Sustainability and Environmental Policy. He's been involved with corporate social responsibility since the mid-1980's and served as an adjunct faculty with Boston College's Center for Corporate Citizenship. Richard served as a Board Member with New Hampshire BSR and helped found the Brooklyn based Community Capital Bank. He is a board member of CORE; a Colorado business sustainability association. Richard served as national Business Outreach Director for the Apollo Alliance from 2005 to 2009.

He has worked in the renewable energy industry and consulted to the UN Environment Programme on sustainable development programs. Richard co-directed the Colorado chapter of the Clean Tech for Obama campaign and advised candidate (and now Colorado Governor) Bill Ritter on renewable energy issues. He earned a Masters in Public Policy from the University of Wisconsin. Richard lives in Denver, Colorado with his wife, Heather.

Dawn worked for sixteen years as marketing director for the beloved Twist & Shout. Wanting to completely transition herself out of the music industry and into life coaching full time (dawngreaney.com), she took a leap of faith and quit her job to make it a reality. A firm believer in the law of attraction, she specializes in helping clients through midlife transitions, which includes empty nests, career changes, health and fitness, relationship changes and finding purpose for a meaningful life. Dawn has spent her adult life working for small, independently-owned businesses and is passionate about strengthening communities and protecting the diversity these businesses tend to foster. Her desire to connect people and brainstorm creative solutions makes her a perfect fit for the MHBA. She loves traveling, jiu jitsu, yoga, gardening and being inspired.

Jodi R. Heltenberg, Esq. grew up in a small rural Colorado town and still holds true to the "small town values" that were instilled in her during that time: that everyone should be treated with respect, that it is more important to listen than to be heard, and that simple solutions are often the best ones. She brings this unique perspective to her law practice... Believing that being a good attorney is as much about building personal and lasting relationships with clients as it is about practicing law.

Jodi strives to provide clients with high-quality and cost-effective legal representation. She seeks to build lasting client relationships based on honest and understandable dialogue, regular communication, personalized attention, and utmost respect.

Like many of you, Jodi is a small business owner (Heltenberg Law), confronting many of the same obstacles your business faces. In addition to her law degree, Jodi also earned her M.B.A. – an invaluable tool in helping her to successfully form and advise small businesses. This combination of personal experience and extensive education gives Jodi a unique perspective which allows her to share in her clients' passion for their evolving businesses while providing them with a superior level of business support.

While attending DU as a political science and international affairs major, Andrew started his first business providing support for high school & college a cappella singing groups. Colorado A Cappella 501(c)(3), now called the Mile High Vocal Jam, became an instant success and now draws over 1,000 people to Denver annually for a weekend of a cappella concerts and clinics.

Realizing a need for high quality yet affordable audio visual services, Andrew started his second business. The Colorado Audio Group LLC (CAG) provides live sound systems, lighting design, mobile staging, video projection, and event production services across the front range. Andrew now provides his expertise to music festivals, record labels, corporate events, & live music tours at the local, regional, and national level.  

Jennifer Whitton worked for 10 years as a marketer in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry before deciding to go out on her own to provide marketing consulting, strategy, and training to small and green businesses. She has a passion for sustainability and views local business as key to building a sustainable community and economy. She is an inveterate “people person,” and enjoys helping people, which is why she decided to work with small businesses. She loves the passion and drive that business owners have and loves being part of their success. 

Jen is a Certified Professional Services Marketer with the Society for Marketing Professional Services and has an MBA with a marketing emphasis. Her goal is to do her absolute best to help the Mile High Business Alliance grow to be recognized as *the* organization to join for successful small businesses. In her “spare” time, Jen plays with her dogs (Colby and Maggie), hikes, camps, kayaks, and shops for shoes.

Zanzibar Vermiglio has been a performance coach and business strategist for over ten years. He has led training programs for over 40,000 people while obtaining top marks for effectiveness from those he's served, creating a track record with clients for doubling productivity of personnel while creating an important value base in the workplace. Zanzibar joined the board to help MHBA create a model of local economic participation, community, awareness and even stimulus. His current contributions to MHBA include designing a business architecture to produce breakthrough expansion in 2012, and working with staff to make it happen. Zanzibar is married to his wife Raemi of 12 years. They have two children Sophia (4) and Devin (1.5).