lluminating Impact is the University of Denver’s annual philanthropy report, a coffee-table-worthy publication created to celebrate the substantial gifts that move the university forward and inspire continued giving. Organized around People, Places, and Programs — from first-generation scholarship funds and entrepreneurship gifts to new research facilities and a tribute to Chancellor Emeritus Dan Ritchie, DU’s legendary “Cowboy Chancellor” — the 2025 edition told the story of a year in which donor generosity helped DU surpass $80 million in philanthropic support, one of the top three fundraising years in the university’s history, in support of The Denver Difference, DU’s $1 billion campaign.
As editor in chief, I set the vision and strategy for the report and led a cross-functional team — leadership, a lead writer, the donor relations and stewardship team, and development officers — to bring a high-touch publication to fruition each year. Because every story involves a named donor and a specific gift, the review process carries real weight: I streamlined that process to make sure fact-checking and donor approvals happened in record time without compromising the quality or accuracy the piece is known for.
The result is a publication built to do two things at once — honor the impact of the previous year’s gifts and give future donors a reason to see themselves in the university’s next chapter. To reach the full alumni audience beyond those who receive the print piece, I worked with our creative director to create a digital experience version of the report, built in Shorthand, so the same stories could be shared broadly online in an equally rich, visually driven format.