Colorado SunFest 2026 is a daylong event bringing Coloradans together to discuss what makes A Better Colorado. Find out more about specific sessions planned for Friday, May 1, below.
Panel Name: The Future of Public Policy
Moderator: Frederick Mayer
Behind every thriving community is a network of public servants working to keep things running, yet many of these roles are now under strain as federal workforce reductions and shifting priorities reshape the government. This panel, organized by the Josef Korbel School, looks at the challenges facing public service in Colorado and beyond, and examines what these changes mean for our state’s future.
Purchase your ticketFrederick “Fritz” Mayer
Dean of Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at The University of Denver
Mayer is dean of the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs at the University of Denver and chair of the Denver Council on Foreign Relations. As dean, he has advanced engaged scholarship and education to address pressing global challenges, elevating the Josef Korbel School to 12th globally among graduate programs in international affairs and launching initiatives including the Scrivner Institute of Public Policy.
His research focuses on international trade, global governance, climate policy and the role of narrative in politics, and he is the author of “Narrative Politics and Interpreting NAFTA.”
Carol Spahn
Rice Family professor at Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs, presidential executive in residence at Colorado State University
Spahn is the Rice Family professor of the practice at the Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs and a Presidential Executive in Residence at Colorado State University.
Spahn served as the 21st director of the Peace Corps from 2021-2025, revitalizing agency operations and returning 3,000 Volunteers to 61 countries following the COVID19 pandemic.
She was a Peace Corps volunteer in Romania, country director in Malawi and chief of operations in the Africa Region. She has more than 30 years of global leadership experience across sectors ranging from small business development to infectious disease to women’s empowerment.
John Kelly
Executive director of Serve Colorado
Kelly is executive director of Serve Colorado, leading the state’s efforts in national service and volunteerism. With more than 25 years in public service and nonprofit leadership, he champions using AmeriCorps to strengthen communities and create career pathways.
Under his leadership, programs have more than doubled, launching initiatives like the Youth Mental Health Corps and Colorado Climate Corps. A strong advocate for “AmeriCorps for All,” he integrates service with credentials and apprenticeships to build workforce pipelines.
Kelly previously served in the Obama Administration and at the federal AmeriCorps agency, and has received multiple national awards for his leadership in service.
The panel — “The future of public service” — is one of 11 conversations scheduled for Colorado SunFest 2026.
The fourth annual Colorado SunFest is Friday, May 1, at Josef Korbel School of Global and Public Affairs on the University of Denver campus. Tickets for the event are available on The Colorado SunFest event page.
Purchase your ticketMore SunFest panels
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