Editor's note: We recently welcomed Jill Gilley to the Denver Institute team as director of development. Jill and I talked about her prior work, her interest in Denver Institute, and what she’s most excited about in her new role. Our conversation below has been lightly edited for length and clarity.
GB: How did you first connect with Denver Institute?
JG: I’ve been aware of Denver Institute since its inception because of our friend Jim Howey, and I’ve paid attention to its voice through Jeff Haanen, Joanna Meyer, and Brian Gray. My work at an adjacent nonprofit gave me an ongoing proximity to Denver Institute and its work in our city. My connection deepened when I got to meet Ross Chapman when he was first starting and when I invited Jeff Hoffmeyer to speak at one of our events. That was a pivotal moment in really getting to know Denver Institute, and over time, through many overlaps, I’ve gotten to know the team in meaningful ways, both personally and professionally.
GB: What was it about Denver Institute that piqued your interest?
JG: Very early in my career, I was impacted by the Bakke brothers—Dennis and his book Joy at Work, especially the reality that all professional paths, not just traditional ministry, are meaningful vocations, and Ray with his book, Theology as Big as the City. Through them, I caught early glimpses of what it looks like to integrate faith and work and to think about all the people of a city in this way. As Denver Institute’s presence grew, I paid attention, and I appreciate how DI leads the conversation on what it means to be a faithful follower of Christ in all sectors of society.
GB: What previous work experience do you bring to the role?
JG: I feel like many of the threads of my career have led to this role. I bring experience from the nonprofit, government, and business sectors, which gives me a unique ability to lean in and listen for how people want to work well on behalf of their place. My time in Rwanda especially gave me a glimpse into business through working with a consulting firm focused on job creation. When I returned to Denver, I wanted to focus on housing and jobs, which are anchors for any person. Over the last seven years specifically, I’ve developed both fundraising experience and a generous, relational approach to development work.
GB: What will you be doing in this new role at Denver Institute?
JG: My primary work is building relationships with current and potential donors, especially as we, in addition to our ongoing vocational programs, become a storytelling organization. I’ll focus on inviting new partners into the work and helping people more clearly understand how they can participate in and benefit from this work. I’m excited to bring both relationship-building and fresh ideas to the fundraising team as we continue to grow.
GB: What is it about development that interests you? How do you see fundraising as an outworking of your faith?
JG: I think faith is about story, and everyone’s faith journey has an arc to it. In fundraising, I get to listen to people’s stories, however they are playing out in the moment, and I pay attention to what is prompting folks toward curiosity and intentionality. To me, fundraising is really about participating in what God is already doing by asking good questions and helping people discover meaningful ways to engage in the needs of the city. I also deeply value collaboration across the city and want to help connect people to the places where their generosity can have the greatest impact, whether that’s through Denver Institute or alongside other organizations doing impactful work.
GB: Why is Denver Institute’s work important to you?
JG: Denver Institute has a unique and deep relationship with the business, civic, and nonprofit/faith communities across Denver. I’m excited by the opportunity to listen and connect the collective work of our hands toward a city that is an increasingly thoughtful and hopeful example of what it means to work, belong, and flourish together.
GB: What are you most excited about as a staff member at Denver Institute?
JG: What I’m most excited about is being part of the team itself. This is a group of individuals who are clear about their vocation and committed to excellence. They are also such a fun and honest group who contribute to the familial culture that I’ve already experienced in onboarding. I also love that I can now formally welcome my friends and a broader community into the work of Denver Institute and help connect people more directly to benefit from its mission.
GB: What do you love about Denver? What do you long to be true for Denver?
JG: I love that Denver has always been known for a pioneering spirit—people came here to take the next hill and try something new. I see that same approach today in people who choose Denver to make a new life, though sometimes it can drift toward consumption of the lifestyle rather than being rooted in community. What I want, and what I think is happening, is to see that pioneering energy turning into deeper partnership toward better work together. I think we’re getting more generous with each other, more open-handed and communicative, and I really want to be a part of that!
