ABOUT
Howard Family Foundation
The Howard Family Foundation was founded in 2001 by Gary and Leslie Howard. Since then, a total of 243 (and counting!) scholarships have been given for students to attend business school at either Colorado State University or Denver University.
Our Mission
Providing financial-need students of exceptional ability and dedication with access to educational opportunities in the form of academic scholarships to accredited universities.
About our founders:
Gary & Leslie Howard
Leslie Howard
Ms. Howard has over 20 years experience in sales, marketing, management and strategic business development. Her knowledge spans the telecommunications, automotive, retail, and non profit sectors.
Ms. Howard began her career at Ford Motor Company (FMC) as an Area Manager, acting as a business consultant for Ford automotive dealers throughout Colorado, New Mexico, Idaho, and Wyoming. At FMC, she achieved outstanding success in sales, garnering top district awards.
Following her accomplishments at FMC, Ms. Howard turned her interest to the telecommunications industry where she worked for over 10 years at STARZ Entertainment Group (SEG). As one of the first employees in the sales and marketing group, Ms. Howard was responsible for all aspects of developing a new sales and marketing division targeted at New Media companies. With few resources, Ms. Howard wrote and edited contracts, marketing pieces, and sales presentations and built a top producing sales and marketing team.
In her tenure at SEG, Ms. Howard’s division grew from a startup business to over $300 million in revenue upon her retirement. Ultimately, under her management, the division was the fastest growing and most profitable division at SEG.
During her employment in the telecommunication business, Ms. Howard earned much recognition as an industry leader including being chosen as a Betsy Magness Leadership Fellow. Additionally, she served on the Board of Directors of the Satellite Broadcasting and Communications Association and was elected to the Executive Committee of the SBCA and to the T. Howard Board of Directors. Ms. Howard was also elected and served as Chairperson of the Programmers Segment of the SBCA.
Ms. Howard currently serves as President of the Gary and Leslie Howard Family Foundation, whose mission is to support students of financial-need with college scholarships to the University of Denver and Colorado State University. Along with her husband, she started the foundation in 2003 and has been responsible for developing the mission statement, business plan, and investment policies and guidelines as well as managing the scholarship program.Ms Howard also co-founded Miracles on Ice, an inner-city youth hockey program, which ran from 2007-2022.
Further to her work in the non profit sector, Ms. Howard served on the Board of the DU Bridge Project for 15 years as well as Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee for Bridge for 3 and was a member of the Executive Committee.
Ms. Howard also served on the Board of Directors of Freedom Service Dogs, Colorado Academy and Horizons.
Awards and Honors:
Honored at the Annual Bridge Project Gala in 2010 and received the Phil and Ellie Wynne Community Service Award
Received the Founders Day Community Service Award from the University of Denver, 2012
Ms. Howard holds a BA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and earned her MBA from the University of Denver.
Gary Howard
Mr. Howard has over thirty years of experience in the cable television, satellite and telecommunications industries, most recently serving as the Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Director of a $50 billion company. Prior to this position, Mr. Howard had extensive experience in mergers, acquisitions, treasury and financial matters.
Gary Howard served as a Chief Operating Officer, Executive Vice President and Director of Liberty Media Corporation from July 1998 until his retirement from those positions in January 2004.
Prior to joining Liberty Media, Mr. Howard was the President and CEO of TCI Ventures Group, TCI’s technology business development unit. Mr. Howard also served as the Chairman and CEO of United Video Corporation from June 1997 to March 1999.
Mr. Howard also served as CEO and President of TCI Satellite Entertainment, Inc. (TSAT), later known as Liberty Satellite & Technology (LSAT).
Immediately prior to his position at TSAT, Mr. Howard was Senior Vice President in charge of Mergers and Acquisitions for TCI Communications, Inc.
Mr. Howard originally joined TCI in 1991 through the Company’s merger with United Artists Entertainment Company (UAE). At UAE he was Senior Vice President – Acquisitions, Chief Administrative Officer and Treasurer.
Mr. Howard started his career in the cable television and telecommunications industry on 1984, when he joined United Cable Television as the Treasurer.
Prior to that, Mr. Howard worked in the Audit Division of Arthur Andersen & Company’s Denver office. Mr. Howard was an Audit Manager when he left Arthur Andersen.
Mr. Howard is a 1973 graduate of Colorado State University with a Bachelor degree in Accounting and obtained CPA certification in 1975.
Ms. Howard currently serves as President of the Gary and Leslie Howard Family Foundation, whose mission is to support students of financial need with college scholarships to the University of Denver and Colorado State University. Along with her husband, she started the foundation in 2003 and has been responsible for developing the mission statement, business plan, and investment policies and guidelines as well as managing the scholarship program. Ms Howard also co-founded Miracles on Ice, an inner-city youth hockey program, which ran from 2007-2022.
Further to her work in the non-profit sector, Ms. Howard served on the Board of the DU Bridge Project for 15 years as well as Chairperson of the Scholarship Committee for Bridge for 3 and was a member of the Executive Committee.
Ms. Howard also served on the Board of Directors of Freedom Service Dogs, Colorado Academy and Horizons.
Awards and Honors:
Honored at the Annual Bridge Project Gala in 2010 and received the Phil and Ellie Wynne Community Service Award
Received the Founders Day Community Service Award from the University of Denver, 2012
Ms. Howard holds a BA in Marketing from the University of Wisconsin – Madison and earned her MBA from the University of Denver.
Board Directorships
Prior Directorships:
- Liberty Media Corporation – Director from 1998 – 2004.
- United Global Communications (merged with Liberty International in 2005) – Director from 2003 – 2005.
- Intelsat Corporation (acquired by Apollo in a leveraged buyout) – Director from 2002 – 2004. Member of Executive Committee of Board and Audit Committee.
- Spectrasite (acquired by American Tower Corporation) – Director from 2003 – 2004. Member of Audit and Compensation Committee.
- OnCommand Corporation – Chairman of the Board after Liberty Media obtained controlling interest as part of a larger acquisition. Director from approximately 2000 until it was taken private in 2003.
- United Video Corporation – Director and Chairman of the Board from 1997 – 1999. Liberty’s position was ultimately sold to NewsCorp.
- TCI Satellite (subsequently renamed Liberty Satellite & Technology) – Director from inception until company was taken private by Liberty in 2002.
- Other Directorships while employed by Liberty Media Corporation include Ascent Media Group, Telegent and ICG.
- DISH Network – November 2005 to July 31, 2013. Member of Audit, Compensation, Nominating and Special Committees.
- Interval Leisure Group – September 2008 to 2016.
- Vubiquity – September 2010 to 2015. Private company in the digital media space. Chairman of the Audit Committee.
Current Directorships:
- Member Colorado State University Business School Global Leadership Council – 2003 to present.
- Co-Founder and Director Howard Family Foundation
- Co-Founder, Miracles on Ice, inner city youth hockey camp. August 2007-June 2022
- Founder “Colorado Global Business Academy.” A joint program with Colorado State University to bring high school boys and girls from around the world to the University for a two-week intensive business program.
Board of Directors:
- Leslie Howard
- Gary Howard
- Deb Van Luit
Executive Director
Carli Wright
Carli Wright is an alumna of the University of Georgia (UGA), where she earned both her undergraduate and Master’s degrees. Post-graduation, Carli embarked on a teaching career that began in Athens, the home of her alma mater. For two years, she taught in the local schools, motivated by a desire to give back to the community that shaped her own educational journey.
Carli then relocated to Atlanta, where she continued to teach for three years. In Atlanta’s underserved areas, she sought to widen her impact and contribute positively to the educational experiences of a larger demographic of students.
In October 2022, Carli relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she joined the Howard Foundation as the Executive Director. At the foundation, Carli’s work continues her commitment to enhancing educational opportunities, especially for children in need. Her career, from the classrooms of Athens and Atlanta to her current role with the Howard Foundation, is a testament to her enduring dedication to education and her focus on making quality education accessible to all.