In this episode of the Leadership with Heart podcast, I sit down with Lorii Rabinowitz, the CEO of Denver Scholarship Foundation, for a heartfelt and eye-opening conversation about what it means to lead with empathy, clarity, and purpose. Lorii was referred to me by someone I deeply respect, and it quickly became clear why. Her approach to leadership is both profoundly human and boldly practical.
We explore the power of honoring each individual’s “you-ness,” a term Lorii uses to describe the unique combination of lived experience, professional expertise, and personal story that each person brings to a team. From her early days in media sales to her current role leading a 90-person organization, Lorii shares her zigzag journey and how every step along the way has informed her people-first philosophy.
The Denver Scholarship Foundation serves thousands of students every year through a powerful combination of access programs, wraparound success supports, and promise-based scholarships. But what makes Lorii’s leadership stand out is her belief that every team member, whether in program delivery, administration, or fundraising, is an integral part of that mission. She talks about what it takes to scale a culture of shared purpose as the organization grows and how to create alignment without losing authenticity.
Lorii opens up about a personal leadership moment that changed everything for her. In the middle of a hectic workday, she almost overlooked a colleague’s quiet request for help. That moment shifted how she shows up for people and how she listens. She also shares how her team navigated the return to in-person work after the pandemic and what they learned when their communication didn’t land the way they intended. Rather than retreating, Lorii and her team chose to listen, adapt, and co-create a stronger culture.
We talk about the tension between honoring individuality and maintaining equity, the importance of knowing whose voices are missing from the table, and the value of learning out loud. Lorii reminds us that leadership is not a title but an activity, and that every person, regardless of role, has the power to lead from where they stand.
Whether you’re in a nonprofit, corporate, education, or any team-based environment, this episode offers a powerful blueprint for leading with both heart and clarity. Lorii’s wisdom is generous, grounded, and filled with insight that will stick with you long after the conversation ends.
About Lorii Rabinowitz
Lorii Rabinowitz has served as CEO of the Denver Scholarship Foundation (DSF) since 2017, driven by her lifelong belief in access to equitable opportunities and outcomes for all. Under her leadership, in partnership with a team of extraordinary professional team members, DSF has more than tripled in annual operating revenue, allowing the organization to serve more than 16,000 young people beginning in 9th grade to and through college completion and into career every year.
Lorii’s prior experience includes executive roles with an entrepreneurial venture and boutique consulting firm, as well as many years in business development, strategic partnership and innovation in radio and television, including 9NEWS. Lorii is an active volunteer with numerous nonprofits, having served as board chair, and on a variety of boards, in addition to her current role as a Trustee of Rose Community Foundation.
She has been honored as 9NEWS Leader of the Year Finalist, one of the Denver Business Journal’s “Most Admired CEO’s” and others, as well as the #1 Top Trusted Leader in the Small Business Category by the Denver Post Top Workplaces, based on feedback of the DSF staff. Lorii grew up in Albuquerque, NM, attended the University of New Mexico and earned a bachelor’s degree in biology. Alongside her professional work and volunteer efforts, Lorii enjoys time with her family: her partner, Paul, bonus kids, Antonia and Zoe, and dog and cats, Winnie, Tapii, and Calii.
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About Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP
Heather R Younger, J.D., CSP is a highly sought-after speaker, 2x-TEDx speaker, diversity, equity and inclusion strategist, and contributor to leading news outlets. She is also the Founder and CEO of Employee Fanatix, a leading employee engagement and consulting firm. After over 25,000 employee engagement surveys and years of working with organizations to transform employee engagement, here’s what Heather has seen over and over: When you know how to listen, employees will tell you exactly what they need to bring their full selves to work. Book Heather to speak at your event or organization.
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