Homes and Shelters for Belonging

Featuring Karen Kallenberg - Executive Director of Habitat for Humanity of Colorado

Karen Kallenberg leads Habitat for Humanity of Colorado as its Executive Director. She’s dedicated to ensuring safe, affordable housing for hardworking families across the state. Her leadership focuses on community resilience, housing stability, and forging public-private partnerships to combat Colorado’s housing crisis.

Before leading Habitat Colorado, Karen spent a decade at Habitat for Humanity International. There, she developed campus chapter programs, provided training and consulting to affiliates nationwide, coordinated the 2003 Jimmy Carter Work Project, organized the 2008 Home Builders’ Blitz, and led five Global Village home-building trips abroad. She holds a B.A. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master's in Nonprofit Management from Regis University, where she was inducted into the prestigious Alpha Sigma Nu honor society.

As Executive Director, Karen has championed data-driven and community-focused programming. In 2018, she spearheaded an impact study showing that 94% of Habitat homeowners experienced improved lives, from better health to educational gains, after achieving homeownership.Her leadership centers on empowering affiliates through training, financing, technical support, and advocacy Under her guidance, Habitat Colorado now supports 23 local affiliates in 45 communities statewide.

Karen is a powerful voice in public policy. In 2019, she testified before the Colorado House Finance Committee in support of HB19‑1228, increasing affordable housing tax credits. She’s also publicly advocated for emergency mortgage assistance during COVID‑19, securing $50,000 in grants and helping raise over $200,000 to support struggling homeowners.

Karen’s influence spans from grassroots advocacy to statewide policy. She’s guided Habitat Colorado in recognizing leaders like Shannon Bird, Don Coram, Julie McCluskie, Naquetta Ricks, Dylan Roberts, and Mary Bradfield for their legislative efforts supporting affordable housing. She helped launch bilingual initiatives, such as a home energy–savings guide, partnering with Energy Outreach Colorado and Civitas to support households across diverse communities.

Karen Kallenberg’s vision continues to shape a Colorado where stable, affordable housing fuels stronger, healthier, more equitable communities, proving that a home is a foundation, a launching pad, and a source of hope.

Hope in Action, power in Community

Featuring Shawn Dove - Founding CEO of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement

Shawn Dove is the founding Chief Executive Officer of the Campaign for Black Male Achievement (CBMA), the nation's largest membership organization dedicated to improving the life outcomes of Black men and boys. Under his leadership, CBMA has grown into a powerful national movement, uniting over 5,200 leaders and 2,700 organizations committed to advancing Black male achievement through advocacy, policy change, and community empowerment.

Raised in New Jersey, Shawn Dove's early life was shaped by the challenges and triumphs of his community. A pivotal moment in his youth was overcoming personal struggles with substance abuse, a journey that led him to recovery and ignited his passion for service and leadership. This transformation fueled his commitment to creating opportunities for others facing similar challenges.

Dove earned a Bachelor of Arts in English from Wesleyan University and later graduated from Columbia University's Business School Institute for Not-for-Profit Management. His academic background laid the foundation for his future endeavors in nonprofit leadership and community development

In 2008, Shawn Dove joined the Open Society Foundations to launch CBMA, a groundbreaking initiative aimed at addressing the systemic issues affecting Black men and boys. Under his visionary leadership, CBMA has become a catalyst for change, establishing the field of Black Male Achievement and influencing national policies and initiatives. Dove played a key role in the formation of the White House's My Brother's Keeper initiative and brokered partnerships that led to the launch of New York City's Young Men's Initiative.

His leadership philosophy centers on the belief that those most affected by injustice must be at the forefront of creating solutions. This approach has empowered countless individuals and organizations to take action and drive systemic change.

Shawn Dove's advocacy focuses on dismantling the barriers that hinder the success of Black men and boys. Through CBMA, he has facilitated the creation of the nation's first Black Male Achievement fellowship for social entrepreneurs in partnership with Echoing Green. Additionally, he played a pivotal role in the formation of Cities United, a national strategy aimed at eliminating violent deaths of Black men and boys in over 50 cities..

His work has led to the investment of over $320 million in national and local funds to advance Black male achievement, impacting millions through storytelling, research, and community engagement.

Shawn Dove's work is one of commitment to justice, equity, and empowerment. Through his leadership of CBMA and his broader advocacy efforts, he has reshaped the landscape of Black male achievement in America. His work continues to inspire a new generation of leaders dedicated to creating lasting change and building a more inclusive society.