Kelly Causey will step down from leadership of the Colorado Children’s Campaign after seven years as President and CEO

After seven years as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, Kelly Causey has announced her plans to leave the organization. Chief Operating Officer Jamie Jackson will lead the Colorado Children’s Campaign on an interim basis during the search for a permanent President and CEO.

“We are grateful to Kelly for her skilled, steady, and visionary leadership of the Colorado Children’s Campaign, and we know she will do great things in her next chapter,” said Sharlene Keithley, the chair of the Colorado Children’s Campaign Board of Directors.

“The Campaign made wonderful progress for kids and families during Kelly’s tenure, which spanned the uncertainties of the global pandemic and the evolving realities of nonprofit management in the years that have followed,” Keithley said. “And we know that progress will continue: With Kelly’s thoughtful guidance, the Campaign has built a dynamic team of advocates whose work is to keep Colorado a great place to be a kid.”

“Kelly’s deep passion for Colorado’s youth and families has been evident throughout her time at the Children’s Campaign,” said Rosemary Rodriguez, Vice Chair of the Board of Directors. “The organization has taken important steps to create a more equitable Colorado and to live out its values by putting real people’s experiences and voices at the center of its research, policy, and advocacy. We commit to our partners, from grassroots to grasstops, that we will continue that powerful work in the years to come.”

During Kelly’s time as President and CEO, the Colorado Children’s Campaign successfully advocated for significant policy changes to support the well-being of kids and families, including free full-day kindergarten; the establishment of the Colorado Department of Early Childhood; free school meals; and critical expansions and improvements to Medicaid, including Cover All Coloradans, which provides coverage for undocumented kids and pregnant Coloradans. It boldly and collaboratively bolstered its commitment to race equity. It expanded its portfolio to include a focus on housing stability and families’ economic prosperity. And it launched an ambitious strategic framework, grounded in community voice, that will guide the Campaign for years to come.

“Leading the Children’s Campaign has been an honor,” Causey said. “We have an amazing community that believes in our mission and has been with us throughout our 38-year history. We have a strong statewide network and a wildly talented team, staff and board, who put kids first each and every day. After deep consideration, and knowing the Campaign is poised for continued success, I have decided it is time both personally and professionally for me to explore new ways to make an impact.”

“I love and am so proud of our team and the incredible work we do for kids,” she said. “I will continue to be a champion for the Campaign as it brings on a new leader to advance its mission.”

The Colorado Children’s Campaign Board of Directors has contracted with HR Advantage, a Denver-based human resources consulting firm, to lead its CEO search. Kelly’s last day with the Children’s Campaign will be September 1.