Featuring Christine Benero
President & CEO of Mile high United Way
Born in New York City in 1960, Christine Benero moved with her family to Littleton, Colorado when she was only two years old. After receiving her undergraduate degree from Boston University and her graduate degree from Harvard, Christine started as a special education teacher for adjudicated teenagers in rural New Hampshire. Due to her passion for building community and helping children, she then served as director of Vermont’s first employer-supported childcare center. With an increased interest in public policy and non-profit organizations, Christine continued by serving as the Director of the Office of Public Liaison for Corporation of National and Community Service, which oversees Americorps, under both Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.
After returning to Colorado, Christine became CEO of the American Red Cross Mile High chapter and then the President and CEO of Mile High United Way. She has worked tirelessly to help families access affordable, childhood education, and has been instrumental through Mile High United Way in helping community partners create four early childhood education centers from Aurora to West Denver. Under her guidance, United Way Mile High has been active in public policy, advocating for childcare contribution tax credits as well as other key childcare funding. In 2025, Christine Benero was inducted into the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame.
Speaking from experience, Christine says, “If I had any advice for anyone, it is to try it: show up, volunteer, engage. It is amazing. People always say, oh, you're volunteering. You're giving so much. The truth is, it's what you get back. You find a career, you find your best friends, you find a passion, and you find joy. Even when things are challenging and families are facing so much, the great hope that I have is there is always someone who raises their hand, says “yes,” says “maybe I can't do it all, but this little bit I can do.” And that's the very point of all of it. If we all do just a little bit united, we can do a lot. And that is what gives me hope.”
Christine’s own inspiration for giving back comes from both her grandmothers and her mother who were ahead of their times in career aspirations. She continues with her promise to assist in times of crisis while building a better landscape for the future of families and children in Colorado.