The greatest leadership lesson Scott Dishong learned this year wasn’t necessarily something new. Rather, it was something he’s believed in throughout his time at Make-A-Wish Colorado. “All the remarkable achievements we accomplished as an organization are directly linked to our dedicated team of staff and volunteers,” said Dishong. “Our team has cultivated meaningful connections with wish families, corporate partners, in-kind donors, board members, volunteers and donors, which have led to life-changing wishes and mutually beneficial corporate partnerships.”
In the past year since Dishong was named a Titan 100, Make-A-Wish Colorado commemorated the organization’s 40th Anniversary with the introduction of Whiskey, Wine & Wishes, a new event that netted over $700,000 to help grant 100 wishes. This event highlighted the power of a wish while also celebrating the nonprofit’s first-ever Wish Hero recipient, Peyton Manning, for his years of support.
Make-A-Wish Colorado achieved something truly astounding, said Dishong, granting 393 local wishes and 75 wish assists, which is when wish kids from other chapters travel to Colorado to have their wishes granted. “Each one of these wishes can be considered my proudest accomplishment, as each wish has the power to transform the lives of the wish kid, their family and their community of supporters,” said Dishong. “A wish come true imparts hope and joy to a child and family who need it during their darkest days.”
Dishong said that moving forward, the fiscal year 2024 budget is 400 wishes and it will grow annually from that number. Outperforming other chapters, Make-A-Wish Colorado has a goal of granting 17 wishes per full-time employee, which is higher than the national median of 13, and a development team that raises more than $200,000 per full-time employee. “These goals will help us grow, change and fulfill the needs of our mission in Colorado and beyond,” said Dishong.
Personally, Dishong values giving back to the community. He volunteers his time with the Parker Rotary Club and hosts an exchange student from Barcelona, Spain. “Sixteen-year-old Mario has been a joy to mentor during his time in the states,” said Dishong. “Who knows? He might even become a titan in Barcelona one day.”
Dishong has also embraced his passion for the impact of a strong internship experience at Make-A-Wish Colorado, witnessing many former interns transition to staff members. “I actively support interns with career development opportunities, offering guidance, feedback and engaging in job search discussions and mock interviews,” he said. “Investing in interns early sets the stage for investing in our staff by hiring people we know and who know us.”
