Where you grew up and your background can often have surprising effects on our lives and careers. We’ve asked folks from the community to tell us about how their background has affected them.

Jd Sell | Artist & Arts professional

I grew up spending much of my time in Boulder, Longmont and Erie Colorado. My parents have since moved back to the Twin Cities area in Minnesota Where I was born and most of my family still lives. Moving West fro there as a kid had a major impact on me growing up. It taught me very quickly how to make connections and adapt quickly to my surroundings. I guess, thinking about it now, a lot of my art making practices to date still has rooting in this adaptability. I guess that’s not surprising I would say, just thinking about some of the installation works I’ve done over the years in some fairly unorthodox places Including; Bathrooms, alleyways, abandoned buildings and Vehicles. Read more>>

Hari Baumbach | Creative Director & Visual Designer

I was born in the US but spent most of my childhood in Brazil’s Atlantic Rainforest. Living there opened my eyes to some big challenges – I witnessed environmental degradation and rampant deforestation firsthand, and how deep social inequalities affected communities. These experiences really shaped who I am today and led me to focus on working with organizations that want to make positive change. That’s why I started Essencify Design – to help nonprofits and purpose-driven businesses make more impact through thoughtful design solutions. Read more>>

Cristóbal (chris) Garcia | Higher Ed Professional, Community Advocate & Connector

I was born and raised mostly in Colorado, though we moved about 13 times before I finished 6th grade—living everywhere from Fort Collins, CO, to Las Cruces, NM, to Lexington, NE, and Valparaíso, Zacatecas in Mexico. These moves shaped me in two key ways: they deepened my awareness of my background as a Mexican-American from a close-knit family, and they taught me how to connect with people quickly, as I often attended multiple schools in a single year. Read more>>

Jimmy Oswald | public land outfitter

I grew up in Pennsylvania hunting and fishing. I went to Penn State for wildlife and fisheries science so that I could have a career in the outdoors. It wasn’t until I interned at a ranch in Texas that I figured out I could have a career actually hunting and fishing. With a science based education I think it really helps understanding not only the game we pursue but the science behind the management as well Read more>>

Evelyn Neel | Science Illustrator

I’m from Roanoke, in the Blue Ridge mountains of Southwest Virginia. My mother is a sculptor, and my grandmother was a landscape painter. I loved art from a young age, and also loved nature. My family would go on “wildflower walks” every spring and try to identify flowers. I memorized the wildflower and bird books in my home and loved to look at plants and watch birds. My mother became friends with a local wildlife rescue, and took on the care of many abandoned or injured creatures. We had various birds, squirrels, opossums, and other creatures inhabit our home for a period of time. Read more>>

Taylor Pachuca | Event / Wedding Planner

My family is from Denver, Colorado and we have been here for generations. My dads family is Hispanic and loves throwing huge and fun parties. My grandmother (“Dude” is what I call her), threw amazing gatherings when I was growing up. Everything was a reason for a celebration and I loved every tiny detail she put into them. It’s one of the highlights of my childhood and inspires the parties I plan to this day. I love gathering friends and family and creating a fun and loving space for them to enjoy each others company, laugh and eat good food. Read more>>

Maggie Zawalski | Intuitive Reiki Practitioner & Energy Worker

While I was officially born in Illinois, I grew up and spent most of my life in the foothills of Colorado, which has always felt like the most ginormous gift to have received. It’s no secret that Colorado is a magical place, but to get to spend the formative years of my life here is an experience I wouldn’t trade for anything. The adventure, the expansiveness, the freedom to roam, the wilderness, the spirit of this state – I truly believe all these things helped activate little pieces of my soul, and helped me to realize even at a young age that I was meant for something bigger and different. Read more>>

Tabitha Lynn | Influential Model and Creator

I’m from Florida, but my life took a dramatic turn when my father, who struggled with addiction and abuse, moved us to Colorado. Growing up in such a tumultuous environment was incredibly challenging. We often faced homelessness, and by the age of seven, I found myself entering the foster care system. Being a child who experienced abuse and neglect was a heavy burden to bear. There were days filled with uncertainty and fear, and I often felt invisible, lost in the chaos of my surroundings. The instability made it hard to trust others, and I had to navigate the world with a sense of caution that no child should have to bear. Read more>>