Elaine Menardi
Executive Director
Elaine is a Learning Design Expert and STEM Education Specialist. She believes in the power of a growth-mindset and knows that the best learning happens when teachers and students see themselves as partners who explore questions and discover new ideas together. Curiosity and perseverance fuel her drive toward all things STEM where she frequently showcases the work of students via online media and video.
After graduating from Colorado School of Mines, Elaine began her career as an electrical engineer. Working in Research and Development for Coors Brewing Company, she is listed among the team of patented inventors for a proprietary machine vision can identification system. She holds a Master of Arts in Community Leadership from Regis University and has served in youth ministry for more than 25 years in local, regional and national church organizations.
Elaine is deeply invested in teaching design thinking and creates learning opportunities to empower and strengthen creative confidence and imagination to ensure a successful future for 21st century educators and student leaders. She served as a Colorado Educator Voice Fellowship Policy Fellow for the past two years. Elaine holds a professional teaching license from the State of Colorado with an endorsement in 7-12 Math, Gifted and Talented Education and CTE STEM authorization. She has served as a Colorado Educator Voice Policy Fellow and is co-author of HB 17-1201: STEM High School Diploma Endorsement.
Dean and Elaine have two Millennial daughters who constantly challenge them to keep up.
Nathan Gardner
Finance Director
Nathan is a Certified Management Accountant financial expert. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Finance, with an emphasis in Corporate Finance, at Western Kentucky University. He is still an avid fan of his alma mater’s basketball and football teams.
Nathan earned a Certified Management Accountant Certificate from Southern New Hampshire University. He has more than a decade of accounting and financial experience, having worked for start-ups and well-established businesses in a wide variety of industries.
Nathan participated in the Ride the Rockies road-biking challenge, and enjoys hiking with his wife and two active Huskies, Topper and Atlas. If you can’t catch him in the office, look for him at the nearest fishing stream.
