Meet Mackenzie Magner | empowerHER Mentor

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

Hi Mackenzie, is your business focused on helping the community? If so, how?
The mission of empowerHER is to empower, support, and connect young children and adults who have experienced the loss of a parent. Through empowerHER we are able to provide in-person events that remind them they are not alone in their grief. Through the mentoring program we are able to surround young child with mentors who help show them that loss is survivable. Denver’s committee has been able to hold numerous mentor/mentee outings, empowerHER everywhere events, and now it’s the first ever Mother’s Day retreat.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
As a high school teacher, I have gained a stronger understanding of trauma and how to support students who may be experiencing similar trauma. empowerHER has taught me that listening with compassion is sometimes all a person needs. We don’t always have the answers to support someone through trauma but we can deeply listen to others. The answer doesn’t always need to be an, “I’m so sorry for your loss” but rather a compassionate mind to let them know that you hear them. I want the world to know that through shared experiences we can lift each other up in difficult times. We are not alone in our grief and community is so important to find.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Denver is a city of food, entertainment, and nature. I absolutely love showing people around one of the best cities in the United States. I would first start the weekend by enjoying a nice iced oat milk latte from Huckleberry Roasters and walking around Denver’s LoHi area. After that, I would enjoy a sun-filled afternoon on the patio of Postino while enjoying a happy hour and bruschetta board. In order to really show someone Denver heading out to a Red Rocks show would be a must! It doesn’t matter who the artist is, every show at Red Rocks is an experience.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to recognize all the women I have met through empowerHER. Through this organization, I have been given the opportunity to face much of the grief that I have held on to for many years. While I once felt alone in dealing with my mother loss I am now surrounded by women who have experienced the same loss that I have. While we all have different experiences we have one shared experiences that we have built a community through. I would also like to recognize my incredible mentee who I met almost a year ago. She reminds me every day to find joy and laughter in life. When we experience grief there is a community behind us to support us along the way and to remind us that we are not alone.

Website: https://www.empoweringher.org/

Instagram: luminaria_denver

Image Credits
Heidi Cofelice heidicofelice@gmail.com