Meet the Team

Rockford joined JEWISHcolorado in May 2021 as Chief Advancement Officer and assumed the position of President & CEO in July 2023. She brings a wealth of experience as a journalist and communications professional with expertise in crisis management, reputation and brand management, strategic planning, community partnerships, fundraising, donor relations, and stewardship. Most recently, she was assistant head of school for advancement and external affairs at Colorado Academy. Prior to that, Rockford served for seven years as the school’s director of communication and strategic planning. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in journalism at the University of Wisconsin, where she graduated Phi Beta Kappa.

rrockford@jewishcolorado.org

Stephanie Geller is the Chief Culture Officer at JEWISHcolorado. Previously, she was the Director of Events at Allied Jewish Federation of Colorado and Director of Catering for Sage Hospitality, managing the catering sales and service teams at the JW Marriott Denver Cherry Creek. She is a Colorado native and spends her free time at the baseball field with her son and at the dance studio with her daughter. She also enjoys tennis in the summer and the ski slopes in the winter with her family.

sgeller@jewishcolorado.org

Dr. Julie Lieber is the Chief Jewish Life and Engagement Officer at JEWISHcolorado. Formerly, she served as the Director of the Pardes-Kevah Teaching Fellowship as well as the Interim Executive Director and Director of Education at Kevah, a national non-profit facilitating home-based Torah study groups. After receiving her PhD in European history with a focus on Jewish women, gender and sexuality, Julie moved to Colorado, where she was a Professor of European History and Jewish Studies for many years. Julie has taught for the Wexner Heritage Program, the Melton program and is a frequent guest lecturer throughout the Colorado Jewish community and beyond. When she’s not teaching, you can find her on the Colorado slopes skiing with her family.

jlieber@jewishcolorado.org

Brandon Rattiner is the Senior Director of the Jewish Community Relations Council (JCRC), the public affairs arm of the Colorado Jewish community. Rattiner comes to the JCRC from a career in law, where he focused on climate change and environmental issues. He has deep expertise in advocacy and community outreach. Prior to attending law school, he served as Senator Mark Udall’s Denver Metro Area Regional Director and worked at various civic and philanthropic organizations. He is a past international President of BBYO and an alumnus of countless local and national Jewish organizations. As a lifelong and stereotypical Coloradan, he can usually be found somewhere outside on any given weekend.

brattiner@jewishcolorado.org

Willie Recht is the Chief Development Officer at JEWISHcolorado. He has worked in development roles at the Pacific McGeorge School of Law in Sacramento and at One Colorado. More than a decade ago, he also worked in community programming and outreach for Keshet, where he was instrumental in the launch of Pride Shabbat and the Queer Seder, two programs that continue today. Recht’s volunteer and community involvement has included the American Leadership Forum’s Class XXIV; the Board of the Sacramento LGBT Community Center; the Children’s Museum of Denver, and as a participant in the Glass Leadership Institute through the Mountain States Region of the Anti-Defamation League. Recht is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin where he earned a degree in Political Science.

wrecht@jewishcolorado.org

Stilwell came to JEWISHcolorado in September 2021, after 30 years serving in various roles, including chief of staff, CFO, and COO, for nonprofit, corporate, and entrepreneurial organizations across the country, where he helped to start, manage, and scale their businesses. Most recently, Stilwell worked for Project Sanctuary, supporting veterans and active-duty military families. Before his move to the nonprofit sector, Stilwell worked with a Wall Street hedge fund.

jstilwell@jewishcolorado.org