Through the Aims Community College Nonprofit Leadership Academy, Ashleigh Knapp turned a career pivot into real-world experience, finding her place at the Loveland Community Kitchen.
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Ashleigh Knapp Transitions from Corporate Work to Community Impact
June 22, 2026
When Ashleigh enrolled in the Nonprofit Leadership Academy (NLA), she was looking for a change in direction. After building a decades-long career in the corporate world, she felt a pull toward something more meaningful. Ashleigh wanted her work to impact people and communities directly, but like many professionals making that shift, she wasn’t sure how to break into the nonprofit sector.
The NLA provided that bridge. “I knew I wanted to move into nonprofit work, but I didn’t know where to start,” Ashleigh said. “The academy gave me both the knowledge and the real-world experience to make that transition feel possible and actually happen.”
Students in the NLA build skills with professional development leadership courses that can lead to a certificate in nonprofit leadership. Throughout the program, Ashleigh explored topics like fundraising, organizational development, marketing, board relations and community engagement. “It was incredibly practical,” she said. “Everything we were learning felt directly connected to real organizations and real community needs.”
An idea that resonated most with Ashleigh was the concept of mission-first leadership. “One of the biggest things I learned is that nonprofits are built around mission first,” she said. “Funding supports the mission, not the other way around.”
The instructors at NLA all have extensive experience in the nonprofit sector and a heart for service. This is something that Ashleigh appreciated.
“What stood out to me was that the instructors truly understood the realities of nonprofit work because they are living it. You weren’t learning from a textbook alone, you were learning from professionals who are leading organizations, solving problems and serving the community right now.”
Ashleigh also valued the collaborative environment created by her classmates, many of whom were already involved with local nonprofit organizations as employees, volunteers or advocates. Those conversations helped her better understand the broader nonprofit ecosystem across Northern Colorado. “That networking piece was huge,” she said. “You’re learning alongside people who are already deeply connected to the community and passionate about the work.”
From Classroom Project to Community Partnership
A defining feature of the academy is its hands-on capstone project. It connects students directly with local nonprofit organizations to work on special projects. Ashleigh reached out to the Loveland Community Kitchen because of its community-centered mission. The nonprofit has been a steady presence in Loveland for years, providing free meals and fostering connections.
She reached out to Caterina Hall, Executive Director of the Loveland Community Kitchen. The two began a successful collaborative initiative. Through conversations about the organization’s needs, community misconceptions about food insecurity and future outreach goals, the two shaped a strategy to connect new audiences. The results became the “Loveland Gives a Fork” campaign.
Ashleigh worked with local restaurants to coordinate fundraising opportunities. It promoted days and times when community members could dine at participating restaurants and a part of the proceeds is donated back to the nonprofit. “It’s exciting to see parts of it actually come to life now,” Ashleigh said. “The project helped me see how storytelling and marketing can support nonprofit missions in tangible ways.”
It was a major learning experience for Ashleigh. “I was contributing to a real organization doing real work. It helped me build confidence and see how my skills could translate into nonprofit impact.”
Caterina was impressed by the project's results. “The campaign brought in new faces and new conversations around the work we do. It helped us think differently about how we engage the broader community.”
Campaign ideas developed through the partnership supported the Loveland Community Kitchen’s broader community engagement efforts, including events such as Forks & Fury: The Great Community Kitchen Throwdown, held in May 2026.
What began as a single project quickly turned into something more, a full-time job. Following her work through the NLA, Ashleigh was hired at the Community Kitchen as a Program Engagement Associate to continue supporting the organization’s marketing efforts.
Caterina saw Ashleigh’s work ethic and positive attitude and wanted her to continue with the Community Kitchen in the long term. “We were impressed right away,” she said. “Ashleigh came in with a strong skill set, but also a willingness to learn and a genuine passion for our mission.”
Strengthening the Nonprofit Ecosystem
Northern Colorado’s nonprofit sector relies on passionate, skilled individuals who can navigate both mission-driven work and operational realities. Since its founding in 2024, the NLA has already made an impact, with support coming from various sources within the community.
Since the NLA is a continuing education professional development program, it is not eligible for federal financial aid. The Weld Trust supports nonprofit leadership development and offers scholarships to students taking courses.
For Caterina, the value of the NLA extends far beyond a single hire. “Programs like this are incredibly important for our nonprofit community,” she said. “They create a pipeline of people who are not only trained, but who understand the heart of nonprofit work. That combination is rare and incredibly valuable.”
Just as importantly, it builds connections, as it did for Ashleigh.
“The academy didn’t just teach me skills, it opened doors,” she said. “It connected me to people and organizations that I never would have found on my own.”
As the academy continues to grow, stories like Ashleigh’s highlight its role not just as an educational program, but as a catalyst for community impact across Northern Colorado.
“This experience changed everything for me,” Ashleigh said. “It helped me step into work that feels purposeful and that’s something I don’t take for granted.”
The next round of classes for the Nonprofit Leadership Academy begins soon. Visit aims.co/nonprofit-academy for more information. Sign up to be notified when registration opens.
