It all begins with following passions, Holly believes. That’s why Holly serves on the boards of Harrison Memorial Animal Hospital and the Denver Zoo. “I’m a major dog lover,” says Holly, who enjoys taking walks with Athena, her Belgium sheep dog.
Holly also chairs the Denver Zoo Development Committee, “overseeing all the fun events,” including the Do at the Zoo, the first fundraiser Holly chaired.
Her love of film led her to chair the Denver Film Society Special Events Committee. “I’m a film fanatic,” she laughs. “Going to a move, especially a foreign film, makes me feel like I’m traveling for a couple of hours.”
The youngest of five children, Holly credits her mother-in-law for her volunteerism. “Once I did, it became addictive,” says Holly who moved to Denver in 1990 and worked as an intern at Cactus Communications. “I decided to focus on fundraising and make my job volunteering for nonprofits.”
Holly first visited Denver at the age of 17 “to stay with one of my brothers for a summer,” she says. “It felt like a big city; it was exciting for a girl from a small town.”
Other volunteer activities: Planned Parenthood board of directors
What is your proudest achievement? “When I set a goal for a fund-raising event and exceed it.”
What was your first job? Waitressing for banquets in a college cafeteria.
Is there anything about you that would surprise people you grew up with? I was a pretty shy, quiet child and now I do a lot of public speaking as part of my fundraising and board involvement.
If you could be something other than what you are, what would you be? I would be a writer and write fiction.
If you could be in a movie, who would you be? I would be Dominique from The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand. She was always true to herself.
Favorite book: I like to read classics. I love House of Mirth by Edith Wharton.
Saturdays are likely to find you: Eating at J’s Noodles and going to a movie at one of the independent theaters.
Favorite restaurants: Campo di Fiore and Little Ollies
What food can’t you live without? Diet Coke in the morning
What is your favorite item of clothing in your closet? Any of the things made by local clothing designer Gabriel Conroy.
What is your greatest indulgence? Shoes, especially ones from my favorite shoe store in Venice, Italy.
What makes you laugh? Irreverence.
