Dr. Nina Conley
Dr. Nina Conley is a lifelong resident and tireless advocate for the Montbello community in Northeast Denver. As a proud Montbello High School alumna, she has dedicated her life to uplifting the community that shaped her. After starting her career in the airline industry, she returned to school in her mid-30s to earn a master's degree in Administrative Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Colorado. In 2024, she earned her PhD in Education Leadership, where she successfully defended her thesis titled "A State of Emergency: A Phenomenological Study of African American/Black Teachers' Lived Experiences." When asked why she pursued such a rigorous academic path, she shared, "I wanted my students to know if I could do it and come from Montbello, why can't you?"
In addition to serving as an educator for more than two decades at Denver Public Schools, Dr. Conley led a Pathways2Teaching pilot program at Montbello High School designed to increase the number of teachers of color in Colorado. The program provided students with college credit through concurrent enrollment and was soon adopted district-wide and then nationally. In 2011, her work on the pilot program garnered the attention of Stand for Children, and she was awarded the Colorado "Our Heroes" teaching award.
Dr. Conley has served the Denver Broncos Boys & Girls Club in Montbello for over 20 years. No matter her title, her focus remains on mentoring youth, whether it's through education programs, college and career counseling, or leadership development. She currently serves as the Club's Education Specialist, helping hundreds of children build reading skills and confidence each year. Her leadership has fostered a strong sense of belonging among members and has improved graduation outcomes for Montbello youth.
Dr. Conley also guides students through the Boys & Girls Clubs of America's Youth of the Year program, which helps develop future leaders, and runs the Club's RISE youth leadership program, which focuses on racial equity and cultural competence. Through RISE, she empowers youth to explore identity, bias, diversity, and athlete activism while developing empathy, critical thinking, and leadership skills.
Dr. Nina Conley exemplifies the transformative power of lifelong learning. Her commitment to education, community empowerment, and youth advocacy continues to shape and inspire the next generation of leaders in Montbello.