OUR STAFF

Becky Miller Updike, Ph.D., Executive Director

Becky brings more than 25 years experience in advancing organizational interests through strategic communications, advocacy, and building relationships with government and industry leaders.  Most recently, Becky served as Executive Director of the Rocky Mountain Children’s Law Center where she oversaw organizational strategy, drove community engagement efforts, and advocated for public policy reform. Prior to that, she served as Vice President Child & Family Services for Lutheran Family Services Rocky Mountains, managing one of Colorado’s largest private foster care organizations.  In 2011, Becky was selected to serve as Colorado’s 1st Child Protection Ombudsman, where she opened and established the legislatively-created office. Earlier in her career, Becky founded a government relations consultancy that specialized in health, education, and community initiatives and policy reform. She represented Tennyson Center for Children, Every Child Matters, Qualistar, Colorado Council of Churches, Colorado Care Management and others. Becky began her career as an Aide to U.S. Congressman Lee Hamilton in Washington, DC, and later served as a Legislative Aid in the Indiana General Assembly.

Becky holds a B.S. in Early Childhood Education from Indiana University; an MA in Child & Family studies and a Ph.D. in Child & Family Leadership (focused on social work, education, and public policy) from University of Denver Morgridge College of Education.  Becky serves on the Board of Directors for Colorado Children’s Alliance and was recently appointed to serve on the Delivery of Child Welfare Services Task Force. She was named a top 3 finalist for Denver Business Journal’s Outstanding Women in Business in 2010 and 2012.