Meet Tiana Kennedy | Co-Founder of PawsCo & Associate Vice President for Communications at Colorado State University and the CSU System

We had the good fortune of connecting with Tiana Kennedy and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Tiana, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
I’m deeply inspired by the power of collective impact and the simple philosophy of doing “what you can, when you can.”

This became clear to me when I first started fostering dogs from a local shelter in my 20s. It was rewarding and heartwarming, but also overwhelming—I wanted to help far more animals than I could manage on my own. Then I had a pivotal realization: I could amplify my impact by connecting my friends and family with opportunities to volunteer and foster. That small effort turned into a snowball of support, and eventually, it grew into PawsCo—the nonprofit I co-founded to partner with local shelters to help animals struggling in traditional shelter settings. PawsCo was always something I did as a volunteer effort on the side of my day-to-day job, but it helped me recognize how to create real impact.

I learned that introducing people to tangible ways they can make a difference, building structures that empower and support them, and then giving them the freedom to share that energy with their own networks creates unstoppable momentum.

Now, nearly a dozen years after starting PawsCo, I’ve taken breaks in my fostering journey, but together we’ve helped find forever homes for more than 4,000 animals—far more than I could ever have fostered on my own.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
There are so many things that interest me and over the years I’ve found passions ranging from animal welfare and low-/zero-waste efforts to second-hand shopping and donating platelets. My husband and I have been foster parents since 2021, which has been a wonderful in so many ways. I’ve run marathons, completed 70.3 IRONMAN races, and traveled with great girlfriends along the way.

I’m not short on passions/hobbies, but I’m also fortunate to love my “day” job. I have worked at Colorado State University for more than 16 years and have had seven different titles along the way. I’m in awe of the brilliant researchers at CSU who dedicate their lives to solve problems and discover things that not only make a difference in the world, but also create a ripple for the next generation. My job overseeing the communications team allows me to help share those stories, and it’s a pretty incredible way to spend my days.

I have always believed that work doesn’t have to fulfill everything—that people are meant to pursue many interests and passions, and that each of those “fills you up” in a different way. For me, my work is challenging and interesting, I enjoy the people on my team, and I also cherish the time I spend giving back and trying to use my energy to help others.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I’ll keep this relatively local for the fun of it, although Colorado is a goldmine of beautiful and exciting places.

After 15 years in Denver, my husband Matt and I moved to Fort Collins for my work a few years ago and we really love it. There are still so many places I need to check out, but day 1 would probably consist of the Fox Den, zero waste coffee shop, and a hike at Lory State Park. We’d pop by the Native Hill Farm Stand for something fresh to make for dinner, too, because you can’t beat fresh produce.

During the visit we’d definitely need to make a night of stopping by Social for a mocktail and heading to The Comedy Fort. Add the Sunset Lounge and a concert at The Aggie, Washingtons or The Coast into the mix one night, too. Thrift stores during the day and some cute coffee shops in the evening. We’d plan a nice long dog walk and lots of time outside.

Likely, we’d need a Denver day to make sure to hit Nude Foods Market and Zero Marketplace for some sustainable shopping—you’re probably sensing a theme. Perhaps a little run up to Vedauwoo in Wyoming, which I find stunning, and the Drala Mountain Center for a little time outside. Maybe a show at the Mish if we get lucky with timing. And finally, if my friend was down for a little old school fun we’d go enjoy some rollerblading or skating at Rollerland, and definitely hit up some laser tag!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
There are moments where you meet people who you know will be a big part of your life story, Kristin DesMarais is one of those people for me. When I met Kristin, I was in my 20s and wildly passionate about animal welfare. She was already running a successful nonprofit, and for whatever reason she believed in me enough to be willing to partner—we started PawsCo and ran the organization (as volunteers) together for six years.

Learning how to run an organization and manage teams gave me the foundation for so many other things in my life. I’ll always be grateful to Kristin and she absolutely inspired me to do everything I can to support others as they pursue their ideas and dreams.

Website: https://pawsco.org/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/pawsco

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tiananelson/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TeamPawsCo