About Nancy

To listen deeply, to ask thoughtful questions with an open mind, to facilitate meaningful conversations so that our individual spirits and local communities might thrive.
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Balanced Growth • Strong Neighborhoods & Local Business •Parks & Open Space • Public Safety

My Story in Colorado Springs...

In 2021, I won the election for my first term as City Councilmember for District 5 in Colorado Springs. In April 2025, I won re-election to my second (and final) term on Council with a 20% margin of victory. I am proud that NancyforCOS took no money from developers; over 250 unique contributors came forward instead. I am grateful that it was possible to tell the truth, to stand on my record, and to run a positive campaign that did not criticize my opponents – and win!

I bring to my work values such as collaboration, curiosity, and a pragmatic approach to problem-solving. As a former social worker, I am a listener, and my north star has been – and will remain – what promotes true human flourishing and will make our beautiful City thrive.

How did I get here?  

I moved to Colorado Springs 35 years ago with my husband, and we’ve lived in the same house in Council District 5 since 1991. We came without jobs, knowing we wanted to raise a family in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains. For me, it was a homecoming. My dad, Joe Henjum – a career Air Force pilot who taught at the Academy when I was a kid – retired in Colorado Springs, where his legacy of community service inspires me every day.

I am a mom of two children, now grown and married, and a grandmother of two. My husband (now retired) spent his career as a teacher in School District 11. My kids went to D11 schools in the heart of Colorado Springs. Our dog, Ella, is the third one we’ve had since living here, all named after jazz musicians. (The others were Miles and Trane.) Like many residents of Colorado Springs, I love the outdoors: hiking, biking, and gardening are special loves.

I’ve been a licensed clinical social worker and the chief operations officer for a public/private partnership managing behavioral health. Since being a City Councilmember really does require putting in full-time hours and more, I’ve largely stepped away from my multi-decade career as an executive coach and leadership consultant. During that time, I worked with leaders in a wide array of industries (energy, arts, foundations, non-profits and many more) and for organizations sized from 5 – 15,000 employees. I’ve also served as a leader-volunteer, including as board president for CASA (Court-Appointed Special Advocates); facilitator for the Illumination Project that helped police and citizens build stronger relationships; and as moderator of the council of my church (that just celebrated its 150 year anniversary!). I believe in the power of deep listening, building trust, and working collaboratively with mutual respect to accomplish our goals for our community.

I have never thought of myself as a politician. I don’t mind admitting I’m not comfortable giving speeches, and I don’t like – and am not good at – the horse-trading that can occur in political settings. I am not accepting campaign donations from real estate developers, and I don’t have any business or property interests that could benefit or suffer due to votes I cast. My husband and I own one house and one car. That’s it.

I simply try to be a good neighbor. The image of neighbors working together is the image I have of good local government.

Let’s keep working together to make this the best City possible for all residents!

Some Leadership Principles I Strive to Lead By:

o  Self-awareness, vulnerability and empathy are key to connection
o  Assume good intention
o  Listen – be curious and seek first to understand
o  Lead by Example: If we want to create the conditions for building engaged, trusted and ethical leadership, we need the unshakeable confidence that people can be creative, generous and kind. Leadership work is in the “can be”. And we must start with being generous, kind and creative ourselves.

‍Excerpt from City Council Swearing In on April 15, 2025:  “We are living in times of uncertainty, chaos, challenge, change and opportunity. We tend to approach the tensions inherent in key values such as personal freedom and community responsibility, justice and mercy – as either/or propositions. But I believe we are best served by approaching these tensions with a mindset that is both/and – that doesn’t lift up one value to the exclusion of the other. As a city we are smack dab in the middle of grappling with the inherent tensions that come with growth in the arid west: pressured river basins, energy resources that must be both affordable and sustainable, building economies that are healthy and vibrant and that balance essential human need and planetary boundaries. We want and need housing for all people in neighborhoods that are safe and strong.”

Remarks from City Council Swearing In on April 20, 2021

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I have just taken an oath to faithfully perform the duties of Council Person for the City of Colorado Springs. My hand was on the Bible that belonged to Joe Henjum – my Dad, and it was held by my brother, Mark. Like many in our community, my nuclear family chose Colorado Springs to be our home after a lifetime of moving every few years by order of the Air Force. And I was inspired to run for this Council seat in large part because of my Dad’s legacy of service – service to our country as an Air Force officer and, in the last 30 years of his life, as a tireless leader-volunteer in this city he loved so well.  
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I am humbled by the duties and responsibilities of this office, which must deliver on the twin promises of good governance and leadership with integrity. What does that mean to me?  
o  Good governance is participatory, consensus-oriented, accountable, transparent, responsive, effective, efficient, equitable, inclusive and honorable.
o  Good governance assures that the needs of ALL community members, including the most vulnerable, are respected in decision-making.
o  Good governance is responsive to both the present and future needs of Colorado Springs. 

I believe that good governance should be power with – not power over. We benefit from attending to all perspectives. The voice of every resident should be heard. I intend to lead first by listening and asking questions.

I believe that we are all connected. What impacts one, impacts all of us. I intend to lead on behalf of each of the neighborhoods in District 5 as well as the City as a whole.

I believe in collaboration, in reckoning with differences to forge joint solutions. I intend to lead by assuming good intention and prioritizing relationships.

So, as we celebrate 150 years as a City, I ask - what can we learn from our history:    
* That will help us determine what no longer serves us and that we should therefore leave behind?
* That will help us identify the best of who we are to carry forward?
* That will help us plan for a future Colorado Springs that is resilient, vibrant, thriving and that lives the Olympic values?
* That will ensure we are respectful of the land, her beauty, gifts and resources that make our life here so extraordinary and that obligate us to be good stewards on behalf of generations to come?

Representing all the people of Colorado Springs, the 9 of us – in partnership with the Mayor and the city staff – will be living and working these questions and more as we step into a future whose promise is ours to create together.  

‍“Finally, thank you, Dad. I know you are present with me. I feel your pride and your love. I am serving in memory of you.”

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