Meet Rebecca Born, GPHC’s New Executive Director
By Cara DeGette
Rebecca Born didn’t spin the globe and stop it with her finger to mark the spot of her new home.
But it was close.
A native of Georgia, Born’s husband Luke is in the military. Informed they were being transferred, the couple was allowed to put in a request for their top three destination choices. Denver was right up there, even though neither had ever been to the Queen City of the Plains.
“We’ve never met anyone who didn’t love living in Denver so we moved here, sight unseen,” Born says. “What an adventure!”
But, once they knew Denver would be their new city, Born’s choice to settle in Park Hill last September was no accident. From Atlanta, Born, a historic preservationist, researched neighborhoods, and was enchanted when she found Park Hill.
“I love the way the streets are laid out, and the mix of architectural style,” she says. “Also, being in an integrated neighborhood is very important to me. In Atlanta I lived in a very diverse neighborhood, and I wanted to live in a neighborhood with that diversity here. “
Born’s first Colorado winter was, she admits, a challenge. Or as she puts it, “You don’t even know.” When she arrived, she had ballet flats and cardigans. And then the temperature dropped to 15 below zero. Suffice to say, now she has boots and a coat.
She was piqued when she saw the advertisement seeking a new executive director of the Greater Park Hill Community.
A former planner at the Georgia Department of Community Affairs and previously as a heritage education coordinator with the Georgia Trust, Born has a background in managing nonprofits and volunteers. She is savvy in the world of comprehensive planning and zoning, and working with various government agencies.
“This really appealed to me,” Born says. “Working at the state level in Georgia, I saw just how much can be done at the neighborhood level. Plus, I can walk or bike to work most days.
“Becoming more connected with neighbors is really important to me,” she says. “But I also have dealt with all manners of land use and zoning issues. We all know that all manner of things come up – from neighbor disputes over lawns to architectural zoning guidelines. It’s important to protect the things you love about your neighborhood.”
Born started in mid-May, the week of her 35th birthday. As executive director, she reports to the GPHC executive committee and her duties are wide-ranging. Among them:
• Working with volunteers and contractors to carry out the mission of the Greater Park Hill Community.
• Ensuring the GPHC Emergency Food Pantry is open on Mondays and Wednesdays, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
• Developing and recommending long- and short-term plans for developing GPHC’s programs and services to its board of governors.
• Negotiating constructive solutions to neighborhood problems
• Having a broad understanding of government processes, including zoning, crime prevention, and other issues that impact the neighborhood.
• Fund-raising, grant proposal writing and generally representing Greater Park Hill.
Born works from the Greater Park Hill Community office, at 2823 Fairfax St. Her hours are Monday through Thursday, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.