CHRISTOPHER HARDING / PrincipAL
Born to a family of educators in the Ozarks, Chris got an early education himself in taking charge of one's own progress. Working all summer to afford a new bike, he was wide-eyed to discover the bike was delivered in a box, unassembled. “Good luck,” said his busy parents, and so Chris painstakingly put it all together himself, and used it to ride into town … to keep working. Upon completion of an education centered in business and economics, he eventually landed in Denver, with a young family and a series of aspirational business ventures. Leaning on his practical life experiences, built from years of practical struggles as an entrepreneur, investor, father, and bicycle assembler, Chris works to provide LeverLab the financial guidance and compassionate leadership that is so desperately needed in the world of philanthropy.
What’s Chris’s personal mantra? "Less is more....unless it's your integrity."
VICKI HENRY / Principal + director of special iniTIatives
Raised by rather poor yet resourceful parents, Vicki learned that you might freely receive one large roll of macrame cord to indulge your hobby of weaving plant hangars, but to get the next 25 rolls, you must sell what you make. She believes Monett, Missouri might still be the macrame plant hangar capital of the world, as she sold her entire inventory to unsuspecting townspeople over the course of the '70s. Vicki met Chris Harding, they married, moved to Denver, and went on to found Harding Learning Enhancements, Group6 Intermedia, and eventually Ripcord. Long before they co-founded Chanan and LeverLab, Vicki has nurtured a passion for literacy. In her perfect world, everyone is a reader. And a macrame plant hangar owner.
Vicki’s personal mantra comes from a Chinese proverb: ‘One generation plants the trees, another gets the shade.’ It’s true parentally and in a bigger sense in communities, countries, and the world.
julian (J.D.) Harding / Program manager
Born and raised in Colorado, Julian graduated from Kent Denver before moving on to receive a B.A. from SMU in Philosophy and Political Science. From an early age Julian has been passionate about serving disadvantaged youth and their families, particularly working with kids with special needs. In his free time he is usually on the golf course, playing music, or romping through the state park with his adorable puppy, Liza. He aspires to bring compassion, strong communication and innovation to LeverLab as our organization continues to make a local impact.
Fun fact about Julian: his favorite song lyrics come from a Led Zeppelin song: And it’s whispered that soon, If we all call the tune / Then the piper will lead us to reason / And a new day will dawn / For those who stand long / And the forests will echo with laughter
Alexandra McDermott / PsyD + director of behavioral health
Dr. Alexandra McDermott received her B.A. in Psychology at Pepperdine University before returning to Denver where she received her PsyD in Clinical Psychology from DU’s prestigious psychology program. Dr. McDermott still resides in Denver where she runs her private practice specializing in assessment and treatment of children and young adults. In addition to being a wonderful mother of two (Finley and Gus), Dr. McDermott’s empathy and compassion for helping other children and families is truly admirable and lived out in her life’s work.
Her mantra: Do “the kind of work (a) that you need most to do and (b) that the world needs most to have done...where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” (Frederick Buechner)
stephanie fay / Director of Strategy + Data Insights
Ignore the title above. If Steph had her way, her business card would read: Chief Inspiration Officer. This makes perfect sense, as her passion for turning can't-be-done challenges into inspired outcomes shows and shines at LeverLab. After 20+ years in branding and marketing, this midwestern girl gets a rush out of helping nonprofits figure out how to reimagine their business plans and strategies. When not lending a helping hand to nonprofits, she’s reinventing an old recipe or playing with her dog, Burnside. Her nonprofit experience includes sitting on advisory boards for organizations such as Arts Street (a Colorado nonprofit helping at-risk children learn creative job careers) and the American Diabetes Association's Colorado Chapter.
What’s Steph’s personal mantra? "Never say never!" Whether the goals are professional or personal, she believes we all have the power to do more, learn more, and achieve more.