The NoCo Foundation, in partnership with the CSU Everitt Real Estate Center, has recently accepted the first cohort of Housing Literate Leaders, a new leadership initiative designed to build a deeper understanding of housing challenges and solutions across Northern Colorado.
The nine-month program will bring together 26 community leaders from the business, nonprofit, public and civic sectors to explore the complex factors shaping housing affordability and availability throughout the region. Through structured curriculum and monthly sessions, participants will examine a wide range of topics, including housing affordability, development barriers, land use and planning, financing, policy impacts and emerging strategies for addressing regional housing needs.
The inaugural cohort was selected from a highly competitive applicant pool and represents a diverse cross-section of experiences, perspectives and professional backgrounds. Participants will begin the program in September 2026 and graduate in May 2027.
Housing Literate Leaders was developed to equip current and emerging leaders with the knowledge, relationships and tools needed to engage in informed conversations and contribute to housing solutions in their communities. The program emphasizes systems-level understanding, cross-sector collaboration and practical application of housing concepts.
“We are thrilled to partner with the CSU Everitt Real Estate Center to create a robust curriculum that helps local business, nonprofit, and municipal leaders better understand the housing system,” says Brooke Cunningham, regional housing officer at the NoCo Foundation. “By increasing housing literacy across sectors, we hope participants gain a clearer understanding of the role they can play in advancing housing affordability and expanding opportunity throughout Northern Colorado.”
“The Everitt Real Estate Center is proud to partner with the NoCo Foundation on this program. Housing is one of the most complex challenges facing Northern Colorado, and it can’t be solved by any one sector alone. Housing Literate Leaders gives participants the shared knowledge and vocabulary they need to work across sectors toward real solutions—together we’re investing in better decisions and stronger collaboration for years to come,” says Blake McBartlett, Everitt Real Estate Center director at Colorado State University.
The NoCo Foundation and the CSU Everitt Real Estate Center intend to offer Housing Literate Leaders annually, creating an ongoing pipeline of informed local leaders prepared to champion housing solutions in the region. Applications for the next cohort are expected to open in spring 2027.
The Inaugural Class of Housing Literate Leaders are:
- Jen Bray – Homeowner Services Coordinator, Fort Collins Habitat for Humanity
- Tatum Cochran – General Manager, Horse & Dragon Brewing Company
- Tommi Cox – President, United Neighbors/Vecinos Unidos Board of Directors
- Adam Crowe – Economic Development Manager, Larimer County Economic and Workforce Development
- David Eisenbraun – Planning Director, Weld County
- Rebecca Everette – Community Development Director, Larimer County
- Gary Floyd – Senior Project Manager, Lamp Rynearson
- Logan Graves – Principal Planner, Town of Timnath
- Cayley Griffin – Strategic Initiatives Coordinator, Impact Development Fund
- Nick Haws – Principal, EPS Group
- Laura Light-Kovacs – City Councilor, City of Loveland
- Sandra Mezzetti – Senior Planner, Town of Windsor
- Ryan Mick – President, The Mosaic Companies
- Erik Mikysa – Founder, Sashcara Homes and Fort Collins Building Science and Beer
- Jared Olson – Senior Population Epidemiologist, Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
- Bob Overbeck – Assessor, Larimer County Assessor
- Shirley Peel – Commissioner, Fort Collins Planning and Zoning Commission
- Lainie Peltz – Town Board Member, Town of Windsor
- Shani Porter – Planning Director, Town of Severance
- Melanie Potyondy – City Councilmember, City of Fort Collins
- Tasha Stewart – Water Efficiency Coordinator, City of Loveland Utilities
- Sarah Sullivan – Community Bank President, ANB Bank
- Jennifer Swanty – City Councilor, City of Loveland
- Serena Thomas – Programs Director, Homeward Alliance
- John Todd – Retired Petroleum Geologist & Real Estate Professional
