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Natalie Travers
Apogee Creative
Professional Background
Natalie Travers is a passionate advocate for the transformative power of art and human-centered design. With an extensive background in social impact initiatives, she has dedicated much of her professional life to collaborating with a diverse array of individuals, including youth, philanthropists, Pulitzer Prize-winning authors, Grammy-award winning musicians, and leaders from both private and public sectors. Through these collaborations, Natalie seeks to leverage the power of creativity and innovation to deploy socially impactful programs that resonate with communities.
Recently, Natalie launched her own consulting practice, Apogee Creative, LLC, where she continues her mission of helping individuals and organizations realize the potential of artistic expression and human-centered design in their work. In addition to her consulting endeavors, Natalie holds a key role in organizational advancement at Theatre Aspen, where she applies her skills to foster growth and enhance community engagement.
Prior to establishing her consultancy, Natalie invested a decade at the esteemed Aspen Institute, where she honed her abilities to utilize data-driven assessments to construct and implement complex initiatives and subsidiary brands. Her work at the Aspen Institute is marked by an impressive portfolio of projects, including the development of a youth-focused social impact accelerator and a collaboration with the Bezos Family Foundation to launch the Aspen Challenge—an initiative aimed at fostering youth leadership and social impact design nationally. Moreover, she played a pivotal role in the creation of new storytelling and literary programs for Aspen Words, thereby enriching the cultural fabric of the region and beyond.
Education and Achievements
Natalie's educational journey underscores her commitment to exploring the intersection of art, culture, and business. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Fine and Studio Arts from Macalester College, where she specialized in handmade paper and bookbinding, and minored in Hispanic Studies. During her time at Macalester, she pursued an independent study project on the culture of water in Al-Andalus, Spain, reflecting her interest in cultural landscapes and how they shape human experience.
Her academic pursuit continued at Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, where she completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a global focus through their Cross-Continent MBA program. This immersive experience included residencies across multiple countries, such as the US, China, Chile, India, and Germany, where Natalie learned about business practices in emerging markets. Her ability to collaborate virtually with international teams further enhanced her global perspective and contributed to her expertise in cross-cultural communication and project management.
In addition to her degree in business, Natalie also pursued courses at Colorado Mountain College in Metalsmithing, Calculus, and First Aid/CPR, showcasing her dedication to lifelong learning and her diverse interests that bridge art and analytical thinking.
Knowledge and Skills
With a unique blend of artistic creativity, business acumen, and a strong mastery of project management, Natalie possesses a rich skill set that enables her to address complex challenges within the realm of social impact and community engagement. Her proficiency in data-driven assessment allows her to understand and address the nuances of community needs, designing programs that are not only innovative but also deeply relevant to the populations they serve.
Throughout her professional journey, she has fostered invaluable relationships across various sectors, effectively tapping into the strengths of diverse stakeholders to create multisectoral partnerships that drive impactful change.
In her role with Theatre Aspen, Natalie will not only help propel the organization forward but also ensure its programming reflects the vibrancy of artistic expression while meeting community needs.
Achievements
Some of Natalie's notable achievements include:
- Successfully launching the Aspen Challenge with the Bezos Family Foundation, which has spurred youth leadership and innovative social solutions across the United States.
- Developing and leading a youth-focused social impact accelerator to empower young change-makers and address pressing social issues.
- Creating and implementing storytelling and literary programs that have crossed international boundaries, enhancing the global literary landscape.
- Establishing her consulting practice, Apogee Creative, LLC, which serves as a platform for her to champion the role of art and human-centered design.
Personal Interests and Community Involvement
Outside of her professional endeavors, Natalie embraces the beauty of life in Aspen, where she has lived for nearly 15 years. She is an enthusiastic skier, dedicated practitioner of yoga, and an avid artist. Natalie enjoys spending time outdoors, engaging with the stunning natural environment, and cherishing precious moments with her husband and their young daughter. Whether exploring the mountains or engaging in community artistic initiatives, Natalie continues to exemplify the beliefs she espouses, demonstrating that art and human connection are vital components of a flourishing society.
Conclusion
In sum, Natalie Travers is a dynamic figure in the realm of social impact, recognized for her commitment to leveraging art and human-centered design as tools for transformative change. Whether through her various collaborative projects or her new consulting practice, Natalie's work resonates with a broad audience and inspires others to harness their creative energy for societal betterment. With a strong educational foundation and an impressive career trajectory, Natalie is poised to continue making significant contributions to her community and beyond.
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