Living a Life of Purpose by Bringing Others Up the Ladder

Featured Article About Caroline Turner, Beloved Long-Standing Mile Hi Church Member

A former senior vice president and general counsel for Coors Brewing, mother, author, past president of the Mile Hi Church Board of Trustees, volunteer, philanthropist, world traveler, and activist in support of diversity, equity, and inclusion—these are just a few titles that begin to describe Caroline Turner, an exceptional woman, and a Mile Hi Church Nautilus Society member.

Caroline has made a provision in her will for The Nautilus Society, operated by The Mile Hi Foundation. “The Nautilus Society is responsible for a long-term endowment to the church,” she explained, adding, “Mile Hi Church has made a difference in my life and I want the legacy and long-term viability of Mile Hi available for the next generation—to keep doing for other people what it has done for me.”

This engaging woman is proud of her career as a lawyer and executive but doesn’t lead with it. “I started by banging my head on a glass ceiling. At that time, there weren’t many women who made it up the corporate ladder. I felt that I was to bring others up the ladder.”

She discovered that gender diversity makes a company more profitable and successful. “Being a supporter of women also led me into diversity work,” she added. From this awareness, Caroline authored the book, Difference Works: Improving Retention, Productivity, and Profitability through Inclusion.

A personal crisis brought Caroline to Mile Hi. Addiction colored her 24-year marriage and raising two children. She was in need of spiritual support. “Immediately, it felt like it was different at Mile Hi. It was so refreshing that there was no judgment. I was drawn to the fact that God is not out there but that which of I am made!” Mile Hi ministers and prayer practitioners supported her in knowing the truth at an even more difficult time in her life a few years later when her husband passed in a motorcycle accident.

Today, Caroline lights up in serving Mile Hi’s initiative about diversity and belonging and participating in an interfaith group called Together Colorado, which focuses on racial justice. Travel is also one of Caroline’s great passions. “This planet is packed with people. When I travel, I get out of my own bubble. I can’t be myopic. I see people leading their lives in Cairo or Saigon and I reflect on my own life.” And in reflection, Caroline says hers is a fulfilling one. She references the best-selling book, 10 Percent Happier, by journalist Dan Harris, who is speaking at Mile Hi on November 3 and reports that “Mile Hi makes me 30% happier!”