Meet
The
Team
The David and Laura Merage Foundation’s management team brings a wide breadth of experience, strategic leadership, and creative problem-solving skills to support our partners’ efforts to create a more equitable society for all.
Michael Niyompong
Executive Director
Michael directs the consortium of Merage Foundations, which includes the David and Laura Merage Foundation. He provides strategic oversight for Early Learning Ventures (ELV), Black Cube, and the many other initiatives that the foundation leads. Michael’s steady leadership advances the organization’s mission of creating opportunities for future generations through venture philanthropy. Michael was recognized for his work by The Denver Business Journal as one of its 40 under 40 leaders in 2013, selected as one of five Livingston Fellows in 2016, and was named by the Aspen Institute to the 2017 Ascend Fellowship. In 2022, Michael was honored by 9NEWS and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation as a 9NEWS Leader of the Year Finalist and by The Denver Business Journal as a C-Suites Award winner.
Shari Beaudette
Executive Coordinator
Shari brings over two decades of diverse experience spanning marketing, operations, project coordination, and office administration. She provides the foundation with comprehensive scheduling, communications, logistics and grant administration support. With a deep commitment to holistic success, Shari is also a certified Tiny Habits® Coach with a passion for mindfulness and well-being practices. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Exercise and Sports Science from Colorado State University and a Master’s in Business Administration from Portland State University.
Sue Renner
Strategic Advisor
For 17 years, Sue led the consortium of Merage Foundations. She demonstrated exceptional leadership, providing strategic oversight and start-up expertise for various initiatives and organizations. Sue continues to serve on the David and Laura Merage Foundation’s Board of Directors and is deeply engaged in early childhood policy efforts. She is a member of the Colorado Governor Jared Polis’ Education Policy Council and the Colorado Early Childhood Leadership Commission.
Mireya Garing
Vice President of Human Resources
Mireya oversees the human resources division at the David & Laura Merage Foundation. Mireya and her team provide expert generalist HR support to all of DLMF’s associates. She has more than 30 years of experience in human resource management, is bilingual in both Spanish and English, and holds a B.A degree in psychology. Mireya is also a member of Colorado EPIC (Executives Partnering to Invest in Children), SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management), and CHRA (Colorado Human Resource Association).
Robert Nelson
Advisor
Rob has more than 30 years of experience leading teams, guiding strategy, and growing businesses, including his roles as Vice President of Sales and Marketing for Chef America and then Nestle’s Handheld Food Group, where he provided strategic direction for the development and management of $200 million of core business.
Ed Kolczynski
Chief Investment Officer
Ed is responsible for the management, strategy, and asset allocation of CIG’s capital market investments portfolio, where he oversees the management of the public equities, hedge fund, and private equity portfolios. Ed has more than 20 years of experience working in investment companies in leadership roles as well as portfolio management and research and analysis. Ed holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and earned his MBA. He is also a CFA charter holder and is an inactive CPA.