DENVER (KDVR) — A leader who has helped people with substance abuse and mental health challenges has been named the 2025 Remarkable Woman of Denver.
Dr. Kiara Kuenzler, president and CEO of the Jefferson Center, was announced this year’s winner on Tuesday morning.
FOX31 and Colorado’s CW2 received nominations for women who have made significant contributions to local communities. It’s part of a nationwide initiative from Nexstar, the stations’ parent company.
Kuenzler has dedicated her life to helping others.
“Jefferson Center puts people first and that means caring for each other on our team. It means caring for our community. It means understanding what’s needed and how we can be a good partner to be able to fill in the gaps in the community,” she told FOX31.
Mandy Carlson has worked with Kuenzler for nearly three years and described the leadership that led to Kuenzler being honored this year.
“There’s nobody else like her in terms of a leader. She is really, truly one of a kind and so rare in what you see in a leader and how she just treats people and her empathy and how she acts every single day to just connect with people,” Carlson said.
Kuenzler was able to select a charity of her choice to receive a $1,000 check from FOX31 and CW2. She will also receive a trip to Los Angeles for a Remarkable Women event with other local winners from across the country.
During the trip, regional winners will be announced along with Nexstar’s Remarkable Woman of the Year.
FOX31’s Genelle Padilla contributed reporting to this story.
