“Non-profits need to integrate some younger people onto their boards.” Says Amy. “Although the younger generation doesn’t have as much disposable income, they can add so much more – like a fresh perspective, the ability to reach an entirely different audience and the energy and willingness to do a lot of legwork. They can also grow into the position and ensure that non–profits have a great future.”
Amy is known around town as the mastermind behind GFC’s annual fundraising party called Sushi, Saki, Sumo. Last year’s party, which drew over 1500 partygoers to the Fillmore Auditorium, featured 15,000 pieces of sushi, 4,000 shots of sake, six of America's top sumo wrestlers and raised over $96,000 for cancer research.
Amy grew up in Cincinnati and has an older brother and amazing parents. “I’m so lucky to have the parents I do.” she says. “They were so supportive of me growing up and I am definitely the person I am today because of them.”
Although you wouldn’t believe it now, Amy was a painfully shy child. “All of a sudden, in the 7th grade, something flipped and I developed wanderlust.” She says. “I just wanted to travel the world, and I did. I signed up for teen tours and studied abroad as much as I could in college. I still have that passion for travel.”
Last year, Amy wed longtime love, Ken Venturi and is looking forward to starting a family at some point. She’s also joined Leadership Denver, a yearlong program sponsored through the Chamber of Commerce, where 50-60 young local leaders meet monthly to discuss topics such as education, housing and poverty. “For now, I love my job,” says Amy.
“I work with incredibly talented and diverse people and I’d like to stay here, and eventually I want to play a leadership role in the community.”
Favorite Clothing Stores: Henri Bendel’s in New York and locally, Garberini for shoes and Saks Fifth Avenue for clothes.
What gives a woman/man style: 25% attitude, the way they carry themselves and 75% shoes
Favorite Restaurant: Tre Vigne in St. Helena, CA
Which social event is your favorite? Sushi, Saki And Sumo
What are your volunteer activities? I am the president of Generations Cancer Foundation, which I founded three years ago to raise cancer awareness and get a younger generation involved in philanthropy. I do work on various events for the allied Jewish federation and am starting to get involved with Vision Colorado
Saturday night at midnight is most likely to find you: crashed on my couch watching TV with my husband.
Do you have any Pets? A white-eyed Mexican Conure named Riley, who I love like a child. He’s supposed to talk, as of now he just laughs and says hello.
Who is the most interesting celebrity you have ever met? Jerry Springer because I used to work for him. He was the main anchor at the NBC affiliate in Cincinnati when I worked there and he was a great mentor to me. Everyone thinks what he’s done is horrific but he’s actually a very smart because he knew what the public wanted.
Who is your hero and why? My grandma Louise because she’s 87 years old and has a great outlook on life- she loves to laugh, still plays golf and can even score her age! She still wears high heals and doesn’t mind looking great. She is just 100% spunk.
If your life were a movie, who would play your part? When I was growing up I looked exactly like Justine Bateman, from Family Ties.
What one word would you use to describe yourself? Caring
What word/ words would you like others to use to describe you? Fun, caring and an incredible tennis player
What was your first job? I worked at my neighbors clothing store in her basement in high school, folding sweaters.
If there were one thing you would change about yourself, what would it be? I always wanted to be 2” taller, and I’d be more artistically or musically talented.
What is your greatest indulgence? Chocolate and shoes.
What or who is the greatest love of your life? My husband then after him, my nephews.
What is your current state of mind? Thankful
What do you consider your greatest achievement? Generation Cancer Foundation. Being able to come up with that idea, finding the guts to go forward with it, and the incredible group to get involved and raise money for cancer research.
What is your most treasured possession? My husband proposed to me by drawing my portrait with a ring on my finger.
What do you consider the most overrated virtue: ambition. If you’re too ambitious, you don’t take the time to enjoy life and it can get in the way of family, friends and love.
What is the quality you most like in a man? Intelligence, caring
What is the quality you most like in a woman? Caring
Favorite books / Writers? I like to read but I’m not passionate about any writers, I’m more of an airplane reader, I do like Nelson DeMille.
What is the best advice you have ever received? “Keep smiling and never let them know that they’re getting to you.” From my dad who is also a hero of mine.
What is your motto? Live and love every day.
