Staff and Board
Come Work with Us!
Civic Center Conservancy is looking for two part-time seasonal staff to join our team from May to October. Both positions will be working almost completely outside in a downtown, urban park environment.
The Seasonal Event Associate will support the Conservancy team with the in-park operations and oversight of our Civic Center EATS food truck and Civic Center SPARKLES volunteer programs. This role will have manager-on-duty responsibilities, help to oversee load ins/set-ups and load outs/tear-downs and will interact with volunteers, production partners, vendors, and the general public. We can provide a regular and predictable schedule up to 24 hours per week from May through October.
The Seasonal Activation Ambassador will represent the Conservancy at our Civic Center EATS and Civic Center SPARKLES programs while also assisting with in-park operations. You will be a familiar face at the Civic Center Conservancy tent all summer long interacting with volunteers, production partners, vendors, and the general public, while also helping to make these programs happen. We can provide a regular and predictable schedule up to 12 hours per week from May through October.
Ready to Apply?
Qualified and interested candidates should submit a cover letter and resume to people@civiccenterconservancy.org with the subject line “CCC Seasonal Event Associate” OR “CCC Seasonal Activation Ambassador.”
Please share your connection to parks or public spaces in your cover letter. The Civic Center Conservancy is an equal-opportunity employer and seeks a diverse pool of applicants. We know that women and people of color are often less likely to apply to a position if they don’t match 100% of the job qualifications. Don’t let that be the reason you miss out on this opportunity! We encourage you to apply even if you don’t think you’re the perfect candidate.
Application Deadline: March 16, 2025. We will keep applications open until a suitable candidate is found.
Meet Our Team
Eric Lazzari
Executive Director
The Conservancy named Eric the Executive Director of the in November of 2019.
He joined the Civic Center Conservancy in November 2011, bringing extensive event operations and program management experience to his initial role as Director of Programs and Events. Eric was promoted to Director of Strategic Operations in May of 2018.
Eric is a proud member of the 2020 Class of Leadership Denver. He was also a member of the Downtown Denver Leadership Program’s 2014 class, where he was selected as the winner of the John Parr Leadership Award and elected by his peers as the class trustee.
Prior to joining the Conservancy, Eric served as the Program Operations Manager for USA Swimming in Colorado Springs, developing and managing various programs, clinics and series. He previously served as Director of Special Projects for the Metro Denver Sports Commission, leading event production for the 2008 Frozen Four and coordinating sponsorship development and activation for the CU vs. CSU Rocky Mountain Showdown. He received his bachelor’s degree in Leisure Studies from the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign and his MBA from the University of Denver.
Sara Leitch
Development Director
Sara joined the Civic Center Conservancy in March 2021 as the development manager.
Prior to joining Civic Center Conservancy, she worked in individual giving at Prospect Park Alliance and general development at GrowNYC.
She brings with her experience engaging people in urban parks through membership programming, events, and philanthropy. Sara earned her B.A. in psychology from the University of Iowa, and her J.D. from the University of Iowa College of Law. She resides in Denver with her young family and makes frequent use of Denver’s green spaces.
Marissa Forbes
Development Coordinator
Marissa joined the Civic Center Conservancy as the development coordinator in December 2024.
Previously, she cultivated funding, memberships, and expanded outreach as the Program Manager for both Knitting4Peace and Nonprofit Learning Lab. After years as an alternative Art Instructor with the Art Garage, Marissa wanted to make a bigger impact in Denver and is thrilled to bring her creative energy to the Civic Center Conservancy.
Marissa received her B.F.A in Writing for Publication and Performance from Pratt Institute and M.A in Media Studies with a concentration in Conceptual Art from The New School. She is also the Managing Editor for Twenty Bellows and an Instructor for Community Literature Initiative. Marissa published two full-length poetry books: Surviving Peter Pan (Beyond the Veil Press) and Brief & Bleeding Margins (World Stage Press) in 2023 and was named the 2025 Poet Laureate, representing 40West Arts District & West Colfax Community Association.
You’ll find her around town at first Friday art events, open mics, and trying to keep up with her two sons in parks around Denver. If you see her in the Civic Center Park, be sure to say “Hi!”
Eric Raya Steinbeiss
Director of Community Partnerships + Activation
Eric Raya Steinbeiss is coming to the Civic Center Conservancy from Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, where he was the Manager of STEM and Career Readiness Programs since 2020.
He grew up near Pasadena in the Los Angeles suburbs before attending the University of California, Berkeley, where he earned a B.S. in Environmental Science, Policy, & Management. Eric has a long professional history in informal science education and positive youth development, having held positions at the Headlands Institute, California Academy of Sciences, Denver Zoo, and the Denver Museum of Nature & Science.
While at DMNS, Eric developed his skills in organizing special events that activated the Museum’s public floors and exhibition spaces during their Free Days and other special events, along with spearheading the Museum’s presence at community fairs and festivals. Through this work, he developed and fostered many relationships with the diverse communities of Denver. An 11+ year resident of Denver, Eric has found ways to give back to our community through serving as a “Big” in the Big Brothers Big Sisters program, being a Community Representative in the James Bible Park public art selection process, and serving as Board Member and President of his alumni club the Rocky Mountain Golden Bears. In his spare time, Eric loves to garden, cook, travel, and explore the wonders of the natural world with his husband, Matt, and pup, Charlie.
Allison Galgiani
Event Success Coordinator
Allison Galgiani specializes in the planning, production, and management of arts and cultural programs and events. Before joining Civic Center Conservancy, Allison spent over a decade in the New York City fine art sector. Throughout her professional journey, she has been committed to creating experiences that encourage community engagement and connectivity.
Originally from Tucson, Arizona, Allison received her B.A. in Art History and a B.S. in Psychology from the University of Arizona and holds an M.A. from Christie’s Education New York. In 2021, Allison relocated to Denver, where she enjoys the city’s vibrant cultural offerings and spending time in the mountains. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Access Gallery, a nonprofit organization that provides educational and economic opportunities for people with disabilities.
