Claudine McDonald

Claudine McDonald is a collaborator, connector, creator and steadfast advocator for community. She has trained on the topic Equity, Diversity and Inclusion around the country and has worked to integrate inclusion perspectives into organizational structures for over 25 years.

Claudine has received two Governor of Colorado appointments. One for the Governor’s Asian Pacific American Advisory Council where she promoted diversity and competency to increase quality of services for the AAPI community. The second to the Senate Bill 211 Advisory Commission to Cover All Colorado Kids and promote healthcare coverage.

Claudine worked for a non-profit health plan, for 22 years as the Director of Member Engagement & Inclusion. In her role she served as an internal ombudsman and ADA Coordinator on member concerns helping families to navigate the system and find solutions to complex needs.

A proud Chicana and Chamorro, Claudine was the first to represent her heritage on the Cherry Creek School District Board of Education where she served two terms. A continuous voice addressing issues impacting students/families of color and inclusive excellence in one of the largest districts in the state of Colorado.

Claudine served in the inaugural role as the Community Relations Chief Executive for the Aurora Police Department. Her primary responsibility was to build trust between the community and the department at a time when the community was writhing in pain due to the high-profile death of Elijah McClain.

Claudine earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Colorado, Boulder and is currently an Equity Transformation Specialist for Courageous Conversation.

Her most prized titles are wife and mother. She is married to Pastor AJ McDonald and they have two children; youngest Janai and son Jordan who is married to his wife, also named Jordan.

The great Audre Lorde said, “When I dare to be powerful – to use my strength in the service of my vision – then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid.” Advocating for those marginalized has always been Claudine’s vision.