About Us

About UNA Boulder County: Colorado’s Home for Global Engagement

Long before our current chapter took shape, Boulder residents were already coming together to celebrate the United Nations and its mission. In the 1960s, 70s, 80s, and 90s, UN Day celebrations brought together members of UNA-USA, the League of Women Voters, and other passionate citizens. Leaders like Maxine Hitchcock, Cathy Wrenn, and Bruce MacKenzie helped keep the UN’s work visible and vibrant in our community.

Highlights from those early years include the UN’s 40th birthday celebration in 1985, featuring Susan Markham, a New Zealander working in the UN Public Information Agency, who spoke on the Decade for Women and International Youth Year. The following year, the Daily Camera reported on a UN Day event headlined by Dr. Francis Bretherton of NCAR, who addressed the “Peaceful Use of Outer Space.”

Some Boulder residents also recall a short-lived UNA-USA chapter that formed around 1964. Though it existed for only a few years, its spirit was remembered fondly by figures like John Porritt and Bruce MacKenzie, who reflected on those early days at a 2006 Annual Meeting.

Did you know? We’re currently the only active chapter of UNA-USA in Colorado. While our name honors our roots in Boulder County, our community and our mission reach across the entire state. Whether you’re in Denver, Fort Collins, Grand Junction, or anywhere in between, you are welcome here. We are UNA-Boulder County by name; but we are Colorado’s chapter at heart.

A Legacy of Local Action, Global Vision

The Modern Chapter Takes Shape

Our current Boulder County Chapter was reestablished in the mid-1990s at the encouragement of Professor Ved Nanda of the University of Denver, then president of the Colorado Division of UNA-USA. Following a series of preparatory meetings in 1995, officers and directors were identified, bylaws were adopted, and by 1996, our first official board meeting was held.

In 2003, the chapter gained important financial footing when Gatekeepers to the Future, a nonprofit associated with First Congregational Church of Boulder, ceased operations and generously gifted their remaining funds to support our work.

What we do today

Like UNA-USA chapters across the country, we bring together grassroots energy and high-level engagement. We connect community members with global issues, provide educational resources to the public and media, and ensure that Colorado’s voice is heard by our representatives in government. From free community programs to direct service initiatives, our work is driven by volunteers and supporters who believe a better world is possible, and worth building together.

We’re so glad you’re here. Whether you’re ready to volunteer, become a member, or simply learn more, there’s a place for you at UNA-BC.

Our Mission

UNA-BC’s mission is to support the United Nation’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals through community grassroots action and leadership. UNA-BC believes in and advocates for the work of the UN through a combination of community education and direct policy advocacy.

A message from

Our President

Starting as a Social Work Intern for UNA-BC, I was able to view the Boulder County community from a mezzo and macro lens. Seeing the unique interests, cultures and needs of the community inspired my work as a social worker, and led me to stay with UNA-BC long after my internship ended. With experience as the Vice President, and Chair of the Sustainability committee, I have engaged in many aspects of developing UNA-BC and its mission. 

However, none of the work being done today would be possible without the dedication of its board, past leaders, volunteers and contributions from community members. I feel honored to hold this position and to continue the work from past presidencies. 


Our organization is more than just a chapter; it is a unique collection of kind hearted, passionate individuals who are dedicated to bringing the UN’s global work to local life in Colorado. Through education campaigns on our blog, to community minded events connecting resources or raising awareness, UNA-BC and its members are driven to uphold the values of the UN in each of our activities. 

Without the participation of local community members like you, UNA-BC would not exist in the same capacity. On behalf of the Board of Directors, we value each unique perspective, lived experience and point of view that potential members have and we encourage you to get involved today!


Jessie Torres
UNA-Boulder President

Executive Leadership Team

  • Jessie Torres

    UNA-BC President

  • Melody Kreml

    Vice President of Organizational Engagement

  • Olivia Carter

    Vice President of Organizational Development

  • Robert McNown

    Past President and Treasurer

  • Amy Bryant

    UNA-USA

    Rocky Mountain Regional Representative

Testimonials

  • Olivia Carter

    Bachelors of Social Work
    MSU Denver
    Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Semesters

    As a Bachelor of Social Work student at MSU Denver, interning with UNA-Boulder County has been an incredibly meaningful experience that aligned closely with my passion for global justice and community-based advocacy. During my time with the organization, I helped plan community events, contributed to the chapter’s strategic planning efforts, and worked on outreach initiatives to strengthen local engagement. Being part of UNA-BC gave me the opportunity to apply what I’ve learned in the classroom to real-world advocacy and deepen my understanding of macro social work in action. This internship has strengthened my commitment to pursuing a career in international development and public policy as I look towards graduate school, and it showed me the power of community education as a tool for change.

  • Melody Kreml

    Bachelors of Social Work
    MSU Denver Fall 2024 and Spring 2025 Semesters

    During my senior year, I interned with the United Nations Association of Boulder County (UNA-BC), an organization whose commitment to the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) deeply resonated with me. I chose this internship to explore mezzo/macro social work, a new area for me, and I was grateful for the autonomy, mentorship, and supportive leadership that allowed me to shape my own learning experience.
    One of my biggest projects was organizing UNA-BC’s annual UN Day event, where I handled everything from venue coordination and speaker outreach to logistics and community engagement. This experience gave me invaluable skills in event planning, advocacy, and grassroots organizing. A particularly memorable moment was attending the Boulder Peace Faire, which showed me firsthand how local activism ties into global change. Through this internship, I grew my passion for social justice and international collaboration.

  • Max Karpinski

    Bachelors of Social Work MSU Denver Fall 2024 and Spring 2025

    Completing my social work internship with the United Nations Association Boulder Chapter has helped me develop a wide range of skills under thoughtful, skilled, and caring supervision. I was surrounded by a wealth of experience and had the opportunity to participate in events, team-building activities, marketing, and social media efforts. I also attended board meetings and engaged with members, which deepened my understanding of the organization’s concerns and future initiatives aimed at serving the community. This is an experience I highly recommend for anyone interested in working within macro ethical practices, as it offers the autonomy to align your work with your personal values.

Want to join our team?

We offer internships, volunteering options, sponsorship opportunities and more.

Get involved