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The Art of Serving a City
Greg Geissler, Director of Development, American Red Cross Mile High Chapter
Leadership Denver Class of 1985
Launching Denver’s public art program was only one masterwork in Greg Geissler’s career portfolio — and Leadership Denver had a role in helping him create a variety of influences on the city’s palette over the last two decades.
In 1982, the City of Denver recruited Greg Geissler to establish its first municipal arts agency. At the time, Geissler was on a career trajectory that would likely have taken him around the nation to enhance other cities’ arts programs. In 1985, however, Leadership Denver solidified Geissler’s commitment to the Denver community and expanded his vision of community service. As a consequence, Denver has benefited from a quarter century of Geissler’s leadership.
Geissler initially served Denver under Mayor William McNichols, Jr., under whom Denver became the last of the nation’s major cities to create a municipal arts agency. When Federico Peña was elected mayor the next year, he appointed Geissler to continue leading a far more robust and well-supported arts program for the city.
Following Mayor Peña’s two terms in office, Geissler briefly left Colorado to create another arts program in Missouri, but he quickly realized not only that his heart was in Colorado, but also that his interests had broadened, and he wanted to contribute to the community more holistically. He returned to Colorado to lead the Governor’s Commission on National and Community Service under Gov. Roy Romer. Following a statewide “listening campaign,” Geissler focused the Commission’s 1,000 full-time and part-time AmeriCorps volunteers on projects related to literacy, mentoring and the development of good citizenship for children and youth. Geissler continued this work under Gov. Bill Owens for a time, and subsequently worked for a faith-based organization raising money for the organization’s human service programs. Geissler then re-connected with another Leadership Denver alumna, Christine Benero, LD ’05, who recruited Geissler to serve in his current role as the Director of Development for the American Red Cross Mile High Chapter.
In addition to his professional service to the community, Geissler has a long history of volunteer work. He is a past chair of Metro Volunteers, Colorado Alliance for Arts Education, National Philanthropy Day in Colorado and Americans for the Arts. He has also served on the boards of Colorado Youth Corps Association, Colorado Bright Beginnings and St. John’s Cathedral vestry.
Geissler also volunteered as the Chair of the Leadership Denver Class of 2004, helping select topics and speakers, and working all year with the class on each of their days.
Geissler credits Leadership Denver with inspiring a mindset that opened him up to possibilities and opportunities. He became more inquisitive about the areas in which he could engage people in civic life and contribute to the community. As a result, he explains, “the lens, the prism, became much broader.” Geissler reflects, “It is wonderful to have a legacy that is permanent: being touched by people and touching people.” No one’s work speaks more to that observation than Geissler’s does.
Interviewer: Claudia Brett Goldin, Colorado Attorney General’s Office, LD Class of 2009
June 4th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Greg,
We are fighting for you, our beloved Chair of the soon to be named, “Best Class Ever!” All because of you, “The Best LD Class Chair ever!” I’m looking forward to seeing you on Friday night! Patrice
June 8th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Greg’s real art is people. He is an inspirational leader and exemplar of community stewardship. Thank you for so much Greg.
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