Note: You’ve seen their names, their faces, and know a bit about their backgrounds, and through the BLF Meet & Greet profiles you can learn a little more about the people who share their skills, passions, and talents to bring forth the mission of BolderLife.

1. How did you get involved in the BolderLife Festival, and how long have you been part of the organization?
Courtney Merage: I’ve known Dawn Bower, who created the Student Program of BLF, for years through Denver Academy. It had been a dream of mine to work with a film fest, so I reached out Dawn and couldn’t believe my fortune that the Student Program Director position was open! I couldn’t say no to the opportunity to use film and the arts to open up meaningful conversations with teens.

2. What is your role in the BolderLife Festival? What are some of the valuable insights you’ve gained through working with BolderLife?
CM: I’m the Director of the Student Program, which means I focus on the experience of the high school students who come through BolderLife, so that they walk away with really empowering new perspectives and capabilities during their one-day field trips at the fest with their peers.
I’ve learned the value of having a really stellar, passionate team behind a mission. Everyone on our team is so dedicated to what we’re up to at BolderLife. It catapults us forward. It’s pretty miraculous what we can accomplish if we take care of each other, and support each others ambitions; both within and outside of BLF.
I’ve also learned how much parents, educators, and even students value emotional education. Learning how to tackle difficult discussions with peers, be brave enough to stand up to injustice at a young age, process stress and still pursue your dreams…people are really getting it that those skills can help to shape a happy, healthy, and successful member of society as an adult.

3. What are you most excited about regarding this year’s BolderLife Festival?
CM: It’s hard to say, because I’m thrilled for the festival in general. I’m really looking forward to seeing some of the epiphanies that will happen in the room during the student program. I can’t wait to see some of them be bold enough to share their stories or make declarations to shift the way they think or do, even just a little. Also, to witness the buzz at the end of the day when the students, enlivened and inspired, walk out of the building with their peers and educators.

4. If you could only use four words to describe BolderLife what would they be?
CM: Brave humans uniting meaningfully.

5. What is your hope for everyone who attends/participates in the 2014 Festival?
CM: I want each person to walk away with a little golden nugget of knowledge or perspective or clarity, even if they don’t even realize that they got it for weeks or months. Then one day, because of BLF, an opportunity shows up for them to make an empowering shift in their lives, no matter how miniscule.

Courtney Merage out and about with one of her dogs.

6. When you’re not working on something with BolderLife what type of activities do you enjoy?
CM: I love making and watching films, being with my family, friends, and dogs, traveling as much as possible, listening and dance to the blues, and I have been dabbling in rock climbing.

7. If you were going to give your younger self two key pieces of advice, what would you say?
CM:  A. Listen to your Mom and act on what she says. She is the wisest woman in the world.
B. Listen to your intuition and stop ignoring it! It might be telling you something more challenging than you want to hear, but it’s right. And it’s probably telling you the exact same thing as your Mom. ☺

Learn more about this year’s Student Program, which includes honest and insightful exploration of the difficult issues of human trafficking, prevention of bullying and suicide, cultivating resilience and leadership, and exploring empathy >>>