Cynda Collins Arsenault Received Peace Award
The Boulder Rotary Club honored the philanthropist for her ongoing efforts to advance global peace.
Updated on Sept. 24, 2026 in Civic Engagement
Cynda Collins Arsenault accepted the 2026 Jim Swaeby Peace Award on September 18. The honor recognizes her long-standing work toward advancing peace and humanitarian initiatives.
Why it matters
The Boulder Rotary Club presents this annual award to highlight individuals who demonstrate a dedicated commitment to peace-building efforts in the community and beyond.
The award selection identifies one recipient annually from the local area, continuing a tradition that honored Bernard Amadei in 2025 and Joe Pelle in 2024. The winner's name will be formally added to the monument located at the Boulder International Peace Garden.
The players
Cynda Collins Arsenault
She is a philanthropist and co-founder of the Secure World Foundation who has been a member of the Boulder Rotary Club for over a decade.
Boulder Rotary Club
This is a local chapter of an international service organization that presents annual awards to community members who strive to advance peace.
Joe Pelle
He is a former local official who was the 2024 recipient of the Jim Swaeby Peace Award.
Bernard Amadei
He is an educator and engineering professor who was the 2025 recipient of the Jim Swaeby Peace Award.
The details
Arsenault, a member of the Boulder Rotary Club for approximately 12 years, is known for co-founding the Secure World Foundation and starting the Women Powering Change expo in 2013. The award was presented at a club meeting to celebrate her contributions to public service.
Timeline
Cynda Collins Arsenault launched the Women Powering Change expo in 2013.
Joe Pelle received the Jim Swaeby Peace Award in 2024.
Bernard Amadei received the Jim Swaeby Peace Award in 2025.
The Women Powering Change expo took place in Boulder in May 2026.
Cynda Collins Arsenault accepted the peace award on September 18, 2026.
Political Context
This event follows the established pattern of the annual Jim Swaeby Peace Award by recognizing a prominent community figure for their advocacy. The award serves as a local benchmark for civic engagement, building upon a legacy of honorees that includes Bernard Amadei and Joe Pelle.
Residents can visit the Boulder International Peace Garden to view the monument that memorializes local leaders who have received this distinction. The recognition underscores the ongoing local investment in philanthropic projects that aim to foster community dialogue.
The takeaway
Honoring local leaders provides a tangible example of how long-term commitment to civic projects can shape community values. Readers interested in public service can look to these annual awards as a blueprint for the types of social initiatives currently prioritized in the region.
What happens next
The Boulder Builds Peace Initiative is scheduled to conclude on Sunday.
Further reading
Learn more about local community efforts and Civic Engagement initiatives in the area.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Boulder Daily Camera.
