Staff

• Laura R. Appelbaum
  laura.appelbaum@cudenver.edu
  
  Dr. Appelbaum is a Senior Research Associate at the Centers and technical advisor to the Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research Program. Responsible for the design, management and implementation of research projects and program evaluations, she specializes in research methodology, statistical analyses and report writing.
  
  Dr. Appelbaum's extensive experience includes survey research for a diverse number of clients including school districts, state agencies, local governments, non-profit organizations, and the Denver Mayor's Office. Issues have ranged from child care to welfare reform to a survey for Steamboat Springs to determine priorities for capital improvements and citizen satisfaction with recreational facilities to the effectiveness of current programs to treat those who are HIV+. Dr. Appelbaum has also worked on statewide surveys of growth, gun control, education, managed health care and The Mind of Colorado survey.
  
  Prior to joining the Centers in 1985, Dr. Appelbaum taught at Illinois State University, served as a Research and Editorial Assistant at the University of Illinois, and directed market research for a Denver area home builder. She is the author of more than forty papers and reports. Dr. Appelbaum earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.
  
  
• Christine Velez Badar
  Christine.Velez-Badar@cudenver.edu
  
  Ms. Badar is a Research Associate for the Centers and its database manager. She also conducts data analysis and data programming using SPSS for the PC and the University's mainframe system. Ms. Badar's responsibilities include generating random survey samples, survey design, field data collection, library and web research, and writing reports. Ms. Badar is also fully trained on ArcView for GIS mapping and is proficient in FoxPro, Paradox and MS Access.
  
  A native Spanish speaker, Ms. Badar has conducted in-depth interviews, focus groups, facilitations and translations for Spanish speaking monolingual and bilingual projects. Recent projects include the Youth Handgun Violence Prevention Initiative, the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Initiative, projects for the Center for Human Investment Policy, monolingual Spanish field interviews for the city of Denver's Head Start Community Needs Assessment and DIAL-3 evaluations for Ready to Succeed.
  
  Prior to joining the Centers, Ms. Badar worked extensively with Latino populations including teaching Spanish and ESL and assisting Latin American immigrants preparing for citizenship examinations. While pursuing her Masters Degree, she analyzed data collected on the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and the National Survey of Black Americans.
  
  Her thesis on Mexican American Women was published in the Latino Studies Journal.
  
  Ms Badar holds a BA in Human Relations from St. Joseph's College and an MA in Sociology from Michigan State University.
  
  
• Effley N. Brooks, III
  effley.brooks@cudenver.edu
  
  Mr. Brooks serves as Director of the Denver Community Leadership Forum (DCLF). In addition to leadership training, he specializes in the areas of cultural diversity, tolerance, suicide prevention and intervention, self-esteem issues and violence prevention training for adolescents and adults.
  
  He has worked with a number of organizations nationwide, in Colorado, in New York City, and in South Africa, including the Spring Institute for International Studies, the Anti-Defamation League, PeaceJam and the Shaka Franklin Foundation for Youth. Mr. Brooks has also worked as a high school teacher.
  
  His achievements have has been recognized by honors and awards from Denver Mayor Wellington Webb for fighting hate and discrimination and endeavoring to make Denver a Safe City; from the Cherry Creek Diversity Conference for promoting the ideals of peace and understanding to the youth of Colorado; from the Colorado School Counselor Association for "Outstanding Service;" and, from the Contemporary Learning Academy for his volunteer work and commitment to children.
  
  Mr. Brooks holds a BA and MBA from the University of Phoenix.
  
  
• Lisa B. Carlson
  lisa.carlson@cudenver.edu
  
  Ms. Carlson is the Executive Director of the Centers. She specializes in collaborative problem solving and consensus building with diverse groups. She is also an experienced trainer in conflict management, team building, leadership development, strategic planning, and Myers Briggs. Her expertise has been sought by a wide range of non-profit boards, private corporations and governmental agencies. Ms. Carlson has directed both the Rocky Mountain Program and the Denver Community Leadership Forum for the Centers.
  
  Clients include the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, The Rocky Flats Local Impacts Initiative, The Keystone Center, EPA, The Colorado Trust, the State of Colorado, the City and County of Denver and the cities of Grants Pass, Oregon and Bloomsburg, Pennsylvania. Issues have ranged from Super Fund and "Brownfields" projects to youth violence and teen pregnancy prevention to general planning and community goal-setting initiatives and strategies.
  
  Prior to joining the Centers, Ms. Carlson worked on economic development efforts with City Venture Corporation and the Minority Business Development Agency in San Antonio. Ms. Carlson holds a BA in Organizational Psychology from Claremont McKenna College and is a graduate of the Coro Fellows Program.
  
  
• Peggy L. Cuciti
  peggy.cuciti@cudenver.edu
  
  Dr. Cuciti is the Director of Research at the Centers. She directs the Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research Program and serves as a consultant to the Institute for Public Policy's International Program. Under her direction, the Centers have conducted both qualitative and quantitative research to characterize community conditions, analyze public policy options, summarize public opinion and evaluate programs. Areas of expertise include family and children's policy, poverty issues, urban growth and development and finance issues.
  
  Recent examples of projects include a multi-year evaluation of the Colorado Personal Responsibility and Employment Program for the state of Colorado, a study on the role and status of women in the high technology industry for the Colorado Women's Foundation, an assessment of the supply and demand for early childhood programs for the city of Denver and analyses of public opinion in support of the State's strategic planning process for trails.
  
  In its sixth year, The Wells Fargo Program's centerpiece, The Mind of Colorado survey, measures public attitudes towards major societal institutions, civic involvement, and quality of life issues. Other recent Wells Fargo projects include a survey for Denver in support of its comprehensive planning effort, annual statewide surveys for the Colorado Association of School Boards, a Denver metro area survey for the Regional Air Quality Council, and, adult and youth surveys for Assets for Colorado Youth.
  
  Prior to joining the Centers in 1982, Dr. Cuciti worked at the Congressional Budget Office and as a fellow at the Brookings Institution. She has published extensively in the areas of public policy and intergovernmental relations. Her Ph.D. in Political Science is from the University of Chicago.
  
  
• Tom Mccoy
  tom.mccoy@cudenver.edu
  
  For the past five years, McCoy has coordinated all media contacts for the Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research Program's annual Mind of Colorado survey and for other projects at the Wells Fargo Program. He also directs the Media and Community Awards Program for the Wirth Chair in Environmental and Community Development Policy where outstanding media and community projects in the area of sustainable development are sought out and then honored.
  
  Prior to joining the Centers in 1995, McCoy worked as freelance writer on dozens of projects including the 25th Anniversary Celebration of the Supreme Courts' decision in the Lau case, energy conservation films and Historic Denver's Annual Awards Banquet.
  
  From 1985-1990, Mr. McCoy served as the Press Secretary for the Colorado State Democratic Party. In that capacity he directed all media outreach, both print and electronic. McCoy has also written and/or produced more than 50 television shows. His work at KRMA-TV, Channel 6 (PBS) earned a number of awards, including a regional Emmy. He also was the head character writer for a two year PBS series for deaf children, "Rainbow's End."
  
  Mr. McCoy holds a BS in Economics and an MA in English Literature from Villanova University.
  
  
• Bernard J. McIntyre
  
  Mr. McIntyre is responsible for supervision of surveyors at the Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research Program, and, for the recording of all methodological information. He serves as the liaison between the Director and the Wells Fargo Public Opinion Research Program and carries out a wide range of duties including survey preparation and distribution, documenting surveyor time sheets, and preparing a weekly schedule of personnel and hours to be worked. He is also a highly skilled telephone and field interviewer.
  
  Prior to joining the centers in 1997, Mr. McIntyre helped organize the first African-American owned bank in his native state of Oklahoma and later served on its Board of Directors. Mr. McIntyre was elected to the both the Oklahoma House of Representatives and the Oklahoma State Senate serving a total of fifteen years. Mr. McIntyre also served as a field representative in the Governor's office for Man Power Planning. As a state legislator, Mr. McIntyre was the recipient of dozens of awards including special recognition from HUD, the Oklahoma Trial Lawyers Association, the Black Social Worker's Annual Award, special recognition from Langston University and the A. Phillip Randolph Institute's highest award for supporting working men and women and organized labor.
  
  Mr. McIntyre's skills include community organizing, and consensus building. Mr. McIntyre attended Tulsa University and the University of Oklahoma.
  
  
• Kathie Novak
  kathleen.novak@cudenver.edu
  
  Ms. Novak is Director of the Rocky Mountain Program. She specializes in process facilitation, leadership development, management training, team building, and retreat facilitation. She also teaches at the Graduate School of Business Administration, University of Colorado Denver and at Regis University's School for Professional Studies. Ms. Novak was elected Mayor of Northglenn in 2001 after serving for ten years as a Northglenn City Councilmember.
  
  Ms. Novak served on numerous council committees and is active in the National League of Cities, participating on the Leadership Training Council of the Leadership Training Institute for many years and serving as chair in 1998. She also chaired several other NLC committees and was elected to their Board of Directors in December 2002. In addition, she chaired the Mayors and Councilmembers Section and the Strategic Visioning Committee for the Colorado Municipal League. Ms. Novak recently contributed to Working Together: A Guide for Elected and Appointed Officials, published by the International City/County Management Association and the National League of Cities.
  
  Recent awards include "9NEWS Leader of the Year" for 2003, MetroNorth Chamber of Comerce's "Businesswoman of the Year" and an "Excellence in Teaching Award" from Regis University. In July 2002 she was awarded an American Marshall Memorial Fellowship. Ms. Novak has an M.S. in Management from the University of Colorado Denver, and an undergraduate degree in Business Administration from the University of Colorado at Boulder.
  
  
• Stephanie C. Samano
  stephanie.samano@cudenver.edu
  
  Ms. Samano is the Center's professional meeting planner and coordinates recruitment, marketing, and logistics for the Rocky Mountain Program, a nine day leadership program offered bi-annually. She has coordinated meetings and conferences lasting from one to ten days for federal and state agencies, cities, groups and organizations.
  
  Clients include the City and County of Denver, EPA, Colorado Department of Transportation, Commerce City and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment. Ms. Samano also was responsible for marketing and logistics for seven statewide town meetings for the Governor's DUI System Evaluation Task Force and the Office of Transportation Safety. In 1993, Ms. Samano was the conference coordinator for a three day workshop of more than 200 participants sponsored by the DUI Task Force.
  
  Ms. Samano has been a member of the Society of Government Meeting Professionals since 1995. She is currently a member of the Program Committee. She's been the Program Committee Chair and Secretary, past 1st Vice President of the Board of Directors, and past Chair of the Fall Education Conference Committee. Ms. Samano was a participant in the Denver Community Leadership Forum class of 2000. Ms. Samano holds a BA in Communication and Theatre from the University of Colorado Denver.
  
  
• A. Zeik Saidman
  zeik.saidman@cudenver.edu
  
  Mr. Saidman is an Associate Director for the Center for the Improvement of Public Management and the Center for Public-Private Sector Cooperation. Mr. Saidman specializes in meeting facilitation and task forces designed to address and resolve a variety of community issues. Previously, he worked as a community organizer building and staffing multiracial, interfaith citizen coalitions.
  
  He has a long list of successful collaborative efforts including work in school districts as distinct as Douglas County, Durango 9-R, and the Aurora Public Schools. In those districts he has facilitated for stakeholders and groups focusing on budget reductions, high school graduation requirements, pay for performance and school board retreats.
  
  Mr. Saidman has worked on many issues including youth violence, teen pregnancy and the Colorado Department of Transportation's Child Transportation Safety Initiative. Mr. Saidman has facilitated focus groups for organizations as diverse as the city of Denver's Auditors Office, the Colorado Department of Health and Environment and the Northern Colorado Medical Center Foundation's efforts to reduce the number of traffic fatalities in Weld County. Currently, he is working with the Denver Public Schools on the construction of a new facility and the designing of a new curriculum for the Denver School of the Arts.
  
  Prior to joining the Centers, Mr. Saidman served as a senior staff member in Denver Mayor Federico Pena's office. During the early stages of Denver International Airport, Mr. Saidman was a community relations officer working with union leaders, construction trade industry associations and neighborhood organizations. Mr. Saidman holds a BA in Psychology from Wilkes University and an MA in Teaching from Antioch-Putney Graduate School.