Meet Karen Yegge | Educator, Founder/Executive Director of CCPLongmont

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

Hi Karen, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
After more than 20 years of teaching in district schools, I began to sense that my time in the traditional education system was coming to an end. While I’ve always had a deep appreciation for my students and found great joy in helping them overcome learning challenges, I grew increasingly frustrated with a system that often focused more on what children couldn’t do as opposed to their unique strengths and potential. This deficit-based approach left both my students and me feeling discouraged.

Reflecting on my own childhood—spent close to nature, learning from elders, and feeling inspired by the many stories I’d been told about leaders who had changed the world—I began to envision something different. I wanted to create a space where children and community members who didn’t thrive in traditional systems could still grow, learn, and belong? Was it possible to re-create a version of my childhood and thereby give purpose to those who might otherwise feel disenfranchised or lost? That is what I have set out to do.

I’ve always been passionate about nature, gardening, health, and sustainable living. These values, combined with my concern for the challenges posed by our global transition away from fossil fuels, became the foundation for my vision. I saw an opportunity to create an organization rooted in connection—to the land, to each other, and to a more sustainable future—where learning could be reimagined and driven by curiosity, purpose, and community.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
After 20 years of teaching special education, I felt a calling to do more—to create a space where people of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds could come together to learn from one another and build lives rooted in purpose, connection, and contribution. That calling became the heart of my business.

What sets me apart is my deep belief in people. I see potential where others see limitations, and I help individuals uncover not only what they want from life, but how they can give back—whether in big or small ways. I’ve learned that building a meaningful life often starts with showing up, listening deeply, and doing the next right thing.

My journey is shaped by my upbringing in a small Northern California town, where nature, discipline, and community gave me roots—and wings. From my grandfather’s entrepreneurial grit to the support of friends and spiritual grounding, resilience has always been a part of my story.

Risk has taught me to grow. Whether launching a nonprofit or walking into an unfamiliar room, the biggest leaps have always started with a simple step of faith. I believe leadership is about courage, not perfection—and progress is found in service, not status.

Today, my work centers on building spaces that foster intergenerational learning, community resilience, and sustainable living. It’s not about doing everything—it’s about doing what’s needed, together.

I believe in the power of small actions to spark big change. I believe that everyone has something to offer. And I believe that when we empower each other to grow, we all thrive.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I would take my best friend on a day trip through Longmont that offers a mix of nature, culture, and local charm. We would start the morning at Roosevelt Park and the nearby community gardens for a peaceful stroll. Then we would head to Sandstone Ranch to explore trails and learn about local history at the Visitors & Learning Center. In the afternoon, we would enjoy shopping and art in historic downtown Longmont. We would end our day at the Longmont Museum, where you can explore exhibits on regional history and art.

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?
I have a deep appreciation for the many people who have supported me. Starting with my mother whose unconditional love, encouragement and honesty have provided the bedrock of security from which I operate. My husband, John, has stood by me for over 40 years and helps to make my dreams come alive. I have some dear friends who patiently listen, translate my grand ideas into the language of the common person, walk beside me, and aren’t afraid to tell me when I am wrong. Without them I wouldn’t be able to keep going.

Website: https://ccplongmont.org

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