Pete is the founder of both Greenhouse Scholars and its sister company, Greenhouse Partners––a professional services firm specializing in branding. Pete previously served as a Senior Vice President and an officer at The Integer Group, one of the largest marketing agencies in the Rocky Mountain Region and in the top sixty nationally. He was also a director of Wunderman Cato Johnson, a division of Young and Rubicam, and has an investment background, having spent five years as a Treasury Bond Trader at the Chicago Board of Trade. An entrepreneur his entire career, he has started five companies. Pete founded Greenhouse Scholars in order to create a scholarship program that makes a broad social impact by helping students to become community leaders. He believes that each of us is accountable to give back to the community. Pete lives in Boulder with his amazing wife and four equally amazing daughters. When not answering a constant barrage of questions from his inquisitive girls, he can be found fly-fishing and running the mountain trails around Boulder.

Andra started as a volunteer for Greenhouse Scholars in 2005 while working as a Strategy Associate for Greenhouse Partners. Previously, Andra worked for the National Geographic Society’s Education Foundation, where she helped with strategic planning and grant-making to increase geographic literacy for children. Her additional work experience includes the Center for International Environmental Law in Washington, D.C., as well as the economic section of the U.S. Embassy in Amman, Jordan. Andra graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College with a major in Geography and a minor in Engineering. She completed her thesis on political and social impacts of water resource management in Turkey. Andra is an avid pilot, a skier, and a frequent backpacker.

Bess joined the Greenhouse Scholars team in March 2010 because of her passion for educational equity and youth leadership. While studying Government and Leadership at Claremont McKenna College, Bess spent time in Washington, D.C. working for the non-profit Public Education Network. She has also taught 8th Grade Mathematics and United States History in North Carolina and worked for the Cherry Creek Schools Foundation in south metro-Denver. Bess not-so-secretly roots for the University of Nebraska Cornhuskers.

Maria has been working behind the scenes at Greenhouse Scholars since her husband, Pete, founded the organization several years ago. She officially joined the team in February 2010. Her background in education, desire to give back to the community and unwavering belief in Greenhouse Scholars’ program, are the reasons she has enthusiastically joined the team on an official basis. Maria has a B.S in Journalism from Northern Illinois University, which she used to begin a marketing career in Chicago. Next, she determined to change her focus to a career in educating young people, and went back to school to earn a degree in Elementary Education. Maria taught 3rd and 4th grades in Milwaukee, Wisconsin before moving to Colorado. Maria and Pete have four very active daughters who keep her extremely busy. When not coordinating the girls various activities, she loves to cook—always trying new recipes on her family, garden, and is an avid sports fan.

Susie joined Greenhouse Scholars because she was inspired by the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of people who will in turn give back to their communities. Prior to rejoining the workforce, Susie lived in Germany with her family for three years. Her professional experience includes working for Sibson & Company, an international, organizational effectiveness consulting firm and Boston Research Group, a market research firm. Susie graduated from Dartmouth College and the Kellogg School of Management. She may be the only person in Boulder who runs on a treadmill.

Ashley brings a passion for building learning communities to her work with Greenhouse Scholars. She has over a decade of experience as a teacher, curriculum writer, and program administrator in both the public school system and non-profit world. Ashley has expertise in arts and theatre education, and she is particularly proud of her work as a founder of the Envision program in San Diego, California. Ashley holds degrees from Middlebury College and the Graduate School of Education at the University of Denver. She lives in Boulder with her husband and young twin boys, who bring her much joy and little sleep.

Kathryn is a Senior Creative Associate at Greenhouse Partners and the lead copywriter for Greenhouse Scholars. She has spent the last 13 years in the marketing communications industry, developing nationally recognized creative for McDonald’s, Coca-Cola, Intrawest, Scripps Howard, Steamboat Ski Resort and many more world-class clients. Kathryn is particularly excited to be involved with Greenhouse Scholars, volunteering as a Mentor in the program as well. She is an outdoor enthusiast, obsessive reader, fluent Spanish speaker, Phi Beta Kappa member, and very proud new parent.

Aroosha is the lead graphic designer for Greenhouse Scholars, creating the layouts and the look of all our communication materials. She also works for the professional services firm, Greenhouse Partners, creating graphic art and communications pieces for clients including Coca-Cola, Quintess, and many more world-class clients. Aroosha is passionate about education, having served in a teaching position at Connecticut State University.