Speakers:
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Lesley’s professional career has focused on what she loves most – helping people, solving complex problems, and giving back to our community. She offers more than 30 years of experience in public policy, strategic communications, nonprofit leadership, and journalism. As a senior-level executive in the private and nonprofit sectors at the state and national levels, Lesley served on leadership teams responsible for budgets ranging from $14 million to nearly $1 billion.
As the former owner of a national award-winning communications firm, Lesley worked with clients to enhance student and teacher success. Her career began as a journalist for Colorado Public Radio where she contributed stories to NPR, The Osgood File, and the BBC.
Prior to her election as County Commissioner, Lesley served as the Vice President of Strategic Engagement for the Colorado Education Initiative, providing vision and strategy across the organization’s five initiatives. Earlier positions included leading a multi-million grant at the Education Commission of the States for school improvement nationwide as well as working with large urban school districts and national education leaders as a senior director with a premier communications firm in Arlington, VA. Committed to enhancing her profession, Lesley also served as a vice president on the national board of the Education Writers Association and is the past president of the Colorado School Public Relations Association.
An engaged community leader, Lesley was elected county-wide to the Jefferson County school board in 2011 and served as board president for two years. Colorado Counties Inc. awarded Lesley its 2025 Distinguished Service Award for dedicated service and leadership. In 2023, the Developmental Disabilities Resource Center recognized Jeffco commissioners as Elected Officials of the Year. Readers of the Canyon Courier awarded Lesley with 2023 Best Government Official. The West Metro Chamber earlier named Lesley as one of Jefferson County’s most distinguished women leaders.
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Dayna Ashley-Oehm joined FRH in August 2024 as Chief Real Estate Development Officer after working in affordable housing development, K-12 education, and advocacy since 1997. During her seven-year tenure at Aurora Housing Authority, Dayna developed seven sites with $154.0 M in development capital, bringing 455 affordable units to the community. She oversees the FRH development pipeline which includes 360 new affordable units. Dayna is a Colorado native (almost as rare as a leprechaun). In addition to building and advocating for affordable housing, Dayna also serves on the Board of the Jeffco Schools Foundation.
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Kathy Laurnen is an innovative leader and certified executive coach with more than 25 years of experience spanning leadership development, healthcare management, and organizational transformation. She most recently served as a Coach Guide with Chief, where she facilitated peer groups of senior women leaders, helping them expand their impact, embrace feedback, and navigate leadership with clarity and confidence.
As Director and a Leadership Coach with Sounding Board Inc., Kathy completed more than 700 hours of coaching for leaders from early career to the C-suite across industries and company sizes. Previously, she served as CEO of Mount Evans Home Health Care & Hospice, where she doubled revenue, led a top-ranked agency, and ensured compassionate care for all, regardless of ability to pay. Her career also includes senior consulting with Epic systems implementation, as well as extensive clinical and operational leadership in healthcare.
Kathy holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from The Ohio State University and is credentialed as a Professional Certified Coach (PCC) through the International Coaching Federation and a Certified Professional Co-Active Coach (CPCC). She is also trained in organizational and systems coaching.Passionate about empowering leaders, Kathy blends her healthcare, technology, and executive coaching expertise to help individuals and organizations thrive.
In her free time, Kathy can be found enjoying the Colorado mountains, connecting with family and friends, and exploring the big questions of what it means to live and lead well.
Panelist:
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Dan Root works in the Home Finance Department at the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority (CHFA). Before joining CHFA, he spent a decade working as a real estate broker in the Denver metro area, giving him a deep working knowledge of the local real estate market along with first‑hand experience of the housing affordability challenges that homebuyers face. Today, Dan supports CHFA’s participating lenders and regularly presents to community groups and real estate professionals about affordable homeownership programs, including teaching continuing education courses statewide.
Run of Show:
6:00 - 6:05- Introductions and Announcements
6:05-6:15 - ELF and Community Perspective on Essential Housing
6:15-6:25 - Presentation from Lesli Dahlkemper, County Commissioner
6:35 - 6:45 - Presentation from Foothills and Clear Creek Housing Authorities
6:45 - 6:55 - Presentation from Kathy, Executive Director of Mount Evans Health
6:55 - 7:30 - Panel Q&A