Tracy Olson has been the contract manager for CYCA since 2011. She is responsible for managing pass-through funding from local, state and federal land management agencies to Colorado’s nine accredited youth conservation corps. Tracy actively works to distribute grant funds equitably to corps to maximize the impact the funding has on the young people they serve, and on Colorado’s natural environment. She is also responsible for ensuring that project partners outcomes and goals are met and are compliant with grant agreements. Additionally, Tracy manages CYCA’s intern partnership program with the Bureau of Land Management which provides opportunities for youth corps members, students and young adults to obtain valuable field experience by being exposed to various natural resource management and restoration projects on public lands.
Tracy is a graduate of Miami University in Oxford, Ohio where she obtained a Bachelor of Environmental Design with a minor in landscape architecture. Prior to working for CYCA, Tracy spent 15 years in corporate marketing. Initially, as the Assistant Vice President of Advertising, Sports and Event Marketing for a large financial services company in Chicago, and then as the Director of Marketing for an international cable programming network in Denver. After spending the next five years doing freelance marketing work and staying home with her two young daughters, she joyfully made the transition to the non-profit sector and CYCA.
As a native of Colorado, an outdoor enthusiast and a mom who is passionate about the need to protect our natural resources for future generations, CYCA was the perfect fit. When Tracy isn’t spending family time cheering on her kids at soccer games and horse shows, you will find her running on the trails in Evergreen, hiking, traveling and generally being outside as much as possible. Constantly amazed and in awe of Colorado’s beautiful landscapes she is forever grateful that she is able to raise her family here and works to support the preservation and future stewardship of this awesome place!