Molly Skold
Molly Skold learned, early on, the importance of collaborative, civic and community involvement, inspired by her parents’ and grandparents’ rich history of philanthropic and volunteer service throughout the Fort Collins community.
Born and raised in Fort Collins, Molly has proven herself a strong and versatile leader, a strategic thinker whose work elevates communities and organizations. She supports disciplined growth and has a proven track record of igniting energy and collaboration on projects, programs and events that create excitement across the community, business sector and city government.
Deeply invested in the future of Fort Collins, Molly knows how to engage different views and bring people together – leaders, doers, givers and beneficiaries – to build effective coalitions and better futures.
Catalyst for Revitalization
For more than ten years, Molly has served as a catalyst for the revitalization, vibrancy and sustained growth of historic midtown Omaha as Vice President of Marketing and Communications for Mutual of Omaha’s real-estate arm, Midtown Crossing at Turner Park.
A seven building, $365M mixed-use development, Midtown Crossing sits on 15.5 acres in what was a blighted and substandard section of midtown Omaha. Molly was hired in 2010 to help bring the development to life, make it a destination, and realize its mission of urban core revitalization.
Since its grand opening, Midtown Crossing has changed the dynamic in midtown Omaha, generating fresh energy and building capacity through its 225,000-square-feet of restaurants and retail, 500+ residential units, and year-round calendar of engaging community events.
Based in her hometown of Fort Collins, Molly oversees all aspects of marketing, public relations and communications; offers guidance on strategic retail leasing decisions; and helps conceive, direct and, along with her team, obtain financial backing for event offerings, neighborhood art projects, and citywide campaigns.
Together with her colleagues at East Campus Realty, Molly is supporting a development that, since 2007 (construction phase) and according to a recent economic analysis by Goss & Associates, has:
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Added $1.7 billion to the metropolitan economy
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Generated $585.3 million in wages and salaries
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Supported approximately 1,200 jobs annually
In addition, Midtown Crossing has sparked a revitalization “ripple effect” in midtown Omaha by emboldening 29 other tax increment financing (TIF) projects surrounding the development.
In September of 2010, Urban Land Magazine recognized Midtown Crossing as one of ten projects around the world that “embody the synergy of public/private partnerships,” underscoring Molly’s long-held belief in the power of these collaborations.
Driving Force for Community Improvement
Prior to her role with Midtown Crossing, Molly worked to open Omaha’s $75M Salvation Army Ray and Joan Kroc Community Center, a key public/private partnership with noteworthy philanthropist Walter Scott’s Heritage Services foundation, other local donors and the City of Omaha.
In 2004, Molly led and coordinated the Greater Omaha Chamber’s highly successful O! Campaign and O! Public Art Project. The citywide endeavor allowed her to work closely with corporate partners, city leaders and visionaries, educational institutions and non-profits – all to spur enthusiasm and encourage citizens to be more active advocates for their city.
More recently, Molly served as the driving force – and partnered with the Omaha Police Department – to honor fallen police officers and bring the Horses of Honor public art installation to Omaha, Nebraska.
Active Community Contributor
Molly is an active community contributor who thrives on working with others to elevate the lives of others. She serves as a board member and executive board secretary of Visit Fort Collins and is a member of the Tourism Master Plan Committee. As a member of the Fort Collins Museum of Discovery Board of Directors, Molly has worked to find solutions during a difficult and critical time in the museum’s history. Molly also serves on the Advisory Board of Elevations Credit Union and served on the Larimer County Food Bank Capital Campaign, which raises millions for the region’s food insecure population.
Beneficiary of Diverse Perspectives
The daughter of an actuary and community volunteer, Molly has seen life from multiple vantage points since graduating from Fort Collins High School and Colorado State University. In 1989, she and husband Karl moved to rural Russia where Karl worked as an economist for Iowa State University. During this pivotal time – the end of the Cold War – Molly taught English to Russian scientists; wrote feature articles for the Fort Collins Coloradoan and Des Moines Register; and gained a global, multi-cultural, multi-business perspective that will contribute to Fort Collins’ next chapter.
The Skold Family
Molly and Karl have been married for 36 years and have three grown children.
