Carolyn Schuham

Carolyn Schuham is a Clinical Social Worker by training, and had a large practice in Chicago in her previous life.  She moved to Boulder after her husband retired, and though she still works, she loves the greater life balance she has found in Boulder.

Cutting down on work has enabled her to co-found BoldeReach, an organization that funds international nonprofits whose work is centered on women and children.  This year, they funded International Midwife Assistance, which works to raise the standard of maternal and infant care in developing nations.

In Boulder, Carolyn has become involved in TAFTA, a Latina women’s organization interested in providing mentors to young Latinas from the literary world.  She also serves on the advisory boards of Stories on Stage and the Boulder International Film Festival.  For a time, Carolyn also ran an adventure travel company called “The Gathering” with friends, taking groups to various parts of the world on educational trips focused on themes such as shamanism and goddesses.  The travel company was an idea conceived after she met three other therapists at a conference in Martha’s Vineyard.  “It was a way for us to see more of each other,” said Carolyn.

She joined WDN to learn more about philanthropy, and because she really liked the WDN members she knows in Colorado.  She also wants to learn more about strategic political funding.  “Right now I am in the ‘taking’ mode, just soaking it all in, but as I learn more, I hope to be able to contribute more to the group,” she said.

Her funding interests include immigration, women and girls, and Boulder area cultural organizations.  Highlights of the 2011 conference, which was her first, included learning about net neutrality, and hearing from Ian Inaba and John Powell.

Carolyn has two adult sons, one in Boulder and one in Chicago.  They are also very committed to philanthropy.  She enjoys hiking and is very proud of her work with BoldeReach and her children.