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Denver Public Schools Foundation Names New Board Members

Rob Cohen, Brooke Johnson & Margot Pinto join board

DENVER, June 9, 2008 – The Denver Public Schools (DPS) Foundation has named three new individuals to its board of directors: Rob Cohen, Brooke Johnson and Margot Pinto.

Rob Cohen is chairman and CEO of IMA Financial Group, Inc. and is a board member for the Metro Denver Sports Commission and Metro State College. He is a former chairman of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.

Brooke Johnson is currently the executive director of The Carson Foundation, a family foundation that promotes healthy and successful families with an emphasis on improving educational opportunities in the Denver community. She is also the co-founder and associate director of Project VOYCE, which engages youth in school improvement efforts. Johnson was previously a Spanish teacher at East High School.

Margot Pinto is a trustee of St. Anne’s Episcopal School and a board member for Rose Women’s Organization. She holds a law degree from Fordham University, a master’s in clinical social work from Simmons College and a bachelor’s degree in philosophy from Yale. For the past 14 years, she has been a stay-at-home mother of four.

“These new board members will add a wide range of expertise and insight to an already exceptional board of directors,” said Barbara Berv, president/CEO of the Denver Public Schools Foundation. Richardson said. “We are honored to have them help lead our efforts to ensure that every student in DPS has access to a first-class education.”

The DPS Foundation funds strategic programs within the school district designed to improve student achievement. These programs include principal leadership training, teacher mentoring, after-school and summer programs, middle school sports, a standard elementary school science curriculum, and grants for individual classrooms.

About the Denver Public Schools Foundation

The DPS Foundation raises funds in support of the district’s ambitious education reform plan – The Denver Plan – to improve student achievement. The Foundation supports programs such as professional development for principals and teachers, improved curriculum and quality of instruction, after-school programs, and community partnerships.

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Natalie Wilkins

DPS Foundation

720-423-3877