Lorii Rabinowitz

Learning never stops, or at least it shouldn’t, whether you’re a young student or the CEO of an education scholarship foundation, said Lorii Rabinowitz, the CEO of the Denver Scholarship Foundation.

“It’s critically important that I continue as a lifelong learner,” she said. “Whether learning Spanish, which I am currently, or staying up-to-date on policy-related issues that impact Denver Scholarship Foundation, students and families or the education ecosystem in our state, lifelong learning — both micro and macro — is foundational to service as an influential and industry leader.”

Founded in 2006, Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) makes college possible for thousands of Denver Public Schools’ graduates each year through counseling, scholarships, financial aid and support. The foundation inspires and empowers Denver Public Schools’ students to enroll in and graduate from postsecondary institutions of higher education by providing the tools, knowledge and financial resources essential for success.

Rabinowtiz graduated from the University of New Mexico with a BS in biology in 1994 and entered the media industry focusing on business development and strategic partnerships. She joined a consulting practice specializing in change management, produced a movie and worked to launch a nonprofit.

In 2017, she joined Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) as its CEO. Under her leadership, the DSF team has more than doubled in size, growing from 32 full time employees to 70 colleagues in 2022, now serving 7,500+ students per year. Rabinowtiz helped lead DSF through the COVID-19 crisis, pivoting to virtual advising and online events. The result was an increase in DSF scholarship applications.

“In my experience, the best decisions are made by gleaning input and hearing the voices of stakeholders who will be most impacted,” Rabinowitz said. “While every stakeholder can’t be involved in every decision, the feedback gathered during input sessions is invaluable to influencing the ultimate decisions. I am consistently looking to surround myself with others who bring different skills, experiences and lenses than I have, and feel fortunate to learn every day, even when a decision is not at play.”

Rabinowitz serves on numerous nonprofit boards, advisory boards and/or committees, including Rose Community Foundation, MSU Denver, CU Denver School of Business, and Swedish Medical Center, and she is a former board chair of both the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and Project Angel Heart. She is also a proud alumna of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Mentor 2.0 program and has been involved with Kappa Kappa Gamma in varying local, state and national positions.

She has achieved local recognition as a DBJ Outstanding Women in Business finalist in 2020, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Top 25 Most Powerful Women of 2019, Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce Chamber Champion in 2014, and the DBJ’s 40 Under 40 in 2011. Most recently, Rabinowitz was honored to be selected as a 2021 9NEWS Leader of the Year finalist, and as a part of the DSF Team in earning its third consecutive year as a Denver Post Top Workplace.

“She has forged a leadership path based on kindness and respect for her team,” her staff said. “Whether she is chairing a board or guiding employees, Lorii’s energy and passion for the work she does is contagious, as shared by her colleagues and peers. Her generosity to her Denver community and beyond has created a network of people across sectors that are eager to engage in any endeavor Lorii decides to embark upon.”