Leadership and Alpine Rescue Team
As I have been on the campaign trail, many people have been interested in my Alpine Rescue Team experience. Frequently, I have struggled with how to answer their questions or how to speak about my seven years so far as a team member. I suspect it’s because, like many members, I feel like I get way more out of being a part of Alpine than I put in. And I am incredibly honored to be a part of this team.
Climbing the knife’s edge of Kelso Ridge.
For my part, Alpine has taught me to trust myself to be able to do things I did not think I could do - or was even afraid to do before I joined. For example, I had only ever rockclimbed a handful of times and was reasonably afraid of heights (or so I told myself). But since then, I have ice climbed, completed the highly-exposed Kelso Ridge route to Torrey’s, and just recently finished my first ever multi-pitch climb. I am not a skier and prefer “slow shoes” but I know how to self-arrest on steep snow if needed. I can ascend and descend a static rope without modern gear and using only prusiks. But I think the thing that ties most closely with running to be Denver’s next Auditor is that being on Alpine taught me to trust in my skills as a leader.
Leading is not new for me. I was called to lead in elementary school when I ran for student council. For my entire middle and high school career, I was first chair of my section in band and selected to be drum major my senior year in high school. I have quickly been promoted to leadership positions in most jobs and careers I have held. I am driven, I love coaching and developing people, and I thrive in trying to improve whatever organization I am part of for both staff and stakeholders.
A dear friend and teammate shared this endorsement. What he wrote was not only incredibly humbling but also a reminder for me that even if I’m not the most skilled climber or skier or technical rescuer, I still showed up for the team in a way that felt authentically me.
He said - “It's important to understand the environment where Kharis and I interact. Else, the reader may glance over this as just another character endorsement. Kharis and I are volunteer mountain rescuers, though unpaid professionals is the term we prefer. Our days and nights consist of balancing family, work and life all under the constant pretext of being called at a moment's notice to assist someone having a bad day in the mountains. We donate our time and money in an effort to support the outdoor recreation community. Fallen climbers, lost hikers, skiers caught in avalanches all fall within our purview and expertise. We run anywhere from 130-170 calls each year on missions spanning the 3 counties we support. Operationally, this is all the flashy and fun stuff you sometimes see on the news. A person rescued off a 14er or a daring helicopter rescue in the middle of winter. To us, this is just the public facing part of what we do. There is an entire administrative and governance side of mountain rescue which, if not for a few dedicated individuals, would cause our team to no longer exist. Managing the board of directors, fundraising activities and administrative items, personnel issues and interagency relationships is what keeps our team together. It truly takes a village, and Kharis is undoubtedly one of the best leaders this little village has ever had.
It's her time serving on the board of Alpine Rescue Team where Kharis' strength of character, commitment and leadership became apparent to me. Elected Secretary in 2020 alongside a panel of significantly more experienced members, Kharis began to go to work. Slowly at first, she dove into our bylaws, policies and procedures and started to identify the gaps in our governance structure. Something seems to be missing in our harassment and anti-discrimination policy. Where was the training for board members on fiscal responsibility? How can we shore up our workers compensation policy and requirements? Kharis asked the questions that had been staring us in the face for years, and none of us had the time, dedication or perseverance to tackle these issues. As a new board member, Kharis worked with the Directors to update and publish a significant number of revisions to as well as new policies and procedures. However, the position of Secretary only allowed Kharis to flex a portion of her muscles...there was much more to tackle. This realization led Kharis to run and be elected team President in 2022, providing a position where she could further leverage her strengths and continue to move the team forward (of note, Kharis was only the 2nd female elected President in Alpine's history...no small feat in a community dominated by men). For the next 3 years, Kharis steered the ship into new waters. Relationships with partner agencies were strengthened. Fundraising goals were met and exceeded...and exceeded again! New guidance was published for risk assessments, financial controls, personnel management and mental health support. The team experienced a period of overwhelming success consisting of record setting missions, record setting fundraising and record setting morale. However, perhaps the largest and most impactful benefit of Kharis' tenure is how she helped shape the culture of Alpine.
If one wants to know the impact that Kharis had on this small nonprofit, come to a weekly training at the Alpine Rescue Team headquarters on a Wednesday night. Sit in the back of the room and just watch the team members interact. Observe the culture in the room and get a sense of what's in the air. The culture of Alpine is different. It's unique and special...not unlike the relationships we have with our immediate family members. People sharing technical training tips..reviewing the latest draft of the next attendance policy...practicing knots with a newer member in the corner. It's a family...we are a family. Long after we're all gone and have moved onto different life adventures, this is what Kharis will be remembered for. This is the legacy of Kharis. Moving the culture of Alpine from a culture of team members to a culture of a family.
The reality is, Alpine is a stronger team because of Kharis. In 3 short years as President, she managed to accomplish more than members do with 10 times her tenure, and I have no doubt this leadership and work ethic will translate to her position of City Auditor. Kharis is one of those rare individuals who can lead and build consensus without alienating stakeholders. She is trustworthy...she is driven.. and I'm proud to call her a member of my Alpine family.” - A teammate with great hair
Just a handful of the awesome women of Alpine Rescue Team I am proud to call family.
Committed: rappelling down my first 200 foot multi-pitch climb.
When I joined Alpine, I made a long-term commitment. And that won’t change when I am elected Auditor. But I promise to put the same dedication, drive, and care into leading the Auditor’s Office that I did in leading Alpine Rescue Team and am greatly looking forward to the opportunity.
