Our Story.
Hi, I am Skippy Mesirow, the cofounder of the Elected Leaders Collective.
This project officially began during COVID while I was serving as an Aspen City councilperson. I now realize it began long before, the collection of all my life experiences.
Let me explain.
At age 11, I had led my football team to a championship as the starting middle linebacker and captain. At age 12, I weighed in, was too heavy, and was banned by rule from playing a skilled position and stripped of my leadership role. I was embarrassed and hurt. I asked my mom to take me to Weight Watchers. She obliged and so began my self-development journey…
…I did not know then that over-eating was the first coping mechanism I would employ to manage the trauma imparted by a nearly decade-long divorce unconsciously and it would not be the last. Alcohol, addiction, and reckless behaviors would show up later, trying to serve me but providing more harm than help.
Public service was a passion, and my service journey unfolded in parallel with my challenges. I was honored by the opportunity to serve in positions of impact and prestige but held back from my best work by my internal struggles.
Motivated by service, I remade my life. I delved deep into the heart of my traumas, turning crisis into creation and roadblocks into building blocks.
Years later, I found myself in elected office, in COVID, with the world seemingly unraveling. I called on my tools of transformation and observed others did not have the same resourcing.
At that time, my goal was to shift political culture. At that moment, I understood what my unique contribution could be.
The culture shift was to “Heal our Politics,” best achieved from the inside out:
1. Heal the individual (leaders do the work to heal themselves internally)
2. Heal the collective (healed leaders come together to form bonds of trust)
3. Heal the system (In bonds of trust, leaders pass process and systems reform)
4. Heal the nation (with upgraded systems, our county and world heal)
I could focus all my experiences – enjoyable and challenging, intentional and unplanned, wild and mundane – on resourcing others.
I co-created with hundreds of peer leaders. Ran test workshops, built cohorts, spoke at conferences, and raised awareness.
Magic happened when I teamed up with my life partner and transformational coach Jamie Butemeyer. I had watched her do life-changing work for years, and now we could bring this healing modality into the political space. I reached into my network and assembled a world-class advisory board of healers, teachers, nutritionists, trainers, authors, doctors, wellness practitioners, and entrepreneurs to inform and expand our offerings.
It has become my life’s mission to share what I have learned to empower you to become your highest self in life and leadership.
We are all learning and growing every day, as is ELC. Our labor of love is a work in progress. Every day we learn in action with you, improving the support we can offer for you to become your highest self in life + leadership
Thank you for the honor of a lifetime.
Skippy, in service.
Our Advisory Team.
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Reginald Hubbard
Has taught Members of Congress, Congressional Staff, major labor unions, leading corporations, progressive organizations, and individuals from all walks of life - simple tools for managing stress and bringing peace to mind, body, and spirit. Active Peace offers classes, strategies, and techniques to help others nurture peace of mind, creativity, equanimity in spirit, and physical health - helping people nurture well-being as foundational rather than an afterthought.
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Dr. Jerome Burt II
Clinical Psychologist, assisting hundreds of individuals struggling with mood and anxiety disorders as well as relational struggles. Care and enhancement of mind, body, spirit, and community are core to his values with professional roots in physical fitness and wellness. Assists physician colleagues in planning and managing the care of their patients and provides performance and executive coaching for local and international companies. TED Speaker.
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Jackie Knechtel
Founder of Flow Consciousness Institute, which holds cutting-edge training, retreats, leads workshops and delivers transformational experiences worldwide, and Shiine, an early-stage tech start-up supporting underserved communities with mental health. International speaker, facilitator, serial entrepreneur, and pioneer in the state of flow. Committed to helping shift consciousness globally to create a more equitable, collaborative, and thriving future.
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Dr. Jasdeep Saluja
Co-Founder Aroga Lifestyle Medicine. Knows health outcomes are predictable based on having the right tools and guidance. As a practicing doctor, focusses on meaningfully connecting with patients, guided by the belief patients have everything they need within them in order to lead healthy, positive lives. Brings an innovative, people-first approach and matches it with evidence-based and science-backed facts. Board of Directors for the ABLM since January 2020.
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Gretchen Bleiler
Professional snowboarder (Olympic silver medalist; 4-time X Games gold medalist; National Geographic Adventurer of the Year; Hall of Famer; ESPY winner), entrepreneur, spokeswoman (AT&T, Nike, Oakley, and others), environmental advocate (Founding alliance and board member of Protect Our Winters) and seeker (Chopra Center certified meditation guide; University of Santa Monica M.A., Spiritual Psychology). WHY we accomplish any goal is equally important to accomplishing it.
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Japman Bajaj
Executive VP Vametric, creator of VALID-8, helping transform government work. VALID-8 allows government workers to keep a record of their accomplishments and applied skills while providing proof to decision-makers to reduce incidents, increase productivity, and widen participation. Award-winning transformational leader redefining the way the world thinks about human ability, testing, and assessment. A storyteller passionate about human potential, meditation, and authentic leadership.
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Melissa Stangl
Founding Partner and COO for Soltara Healing Center, a Shipibo-led plant-medicine center in Costa Rica, with a focus on integration. Co-founder of "The Maloca"” a conscious community platform centered around holistic healing and psychedelic medicines. Passionate about bridging the gap between the Western world and the healing potential of plant medicines, their traditions, and a holistic approach to health.
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Andrew Hutton
Founder and CEO of Day One. Supporting the next wave of entrepreneurs and business builders at Day One - a community and platform for future founders and early-stage entrepreneurs and builders to come together to learn, grow, and push their businesses forward. Former Chief Innovation Officer at Human Ventures, an NYC-based venture studio with a $50m pre-seed venture fund.
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Ashley Grimmel
Founder of Grimmel Biometric, which offers wearable-based corporate wellness programs alongside elite 1:1 performance coaching. Co-Founder of The FRESH Program, which works with businesses and universities to optimize performance by focusing on five key areas: Finances, Relationships, Education, Spirituality, and Health. Works with F1 Drivers, Olympians, UFC champions, and NFL players.