Bertha Lynn

Bertha Lynn ’77 Communications at Washington State University is the Executive Director of the Children’s Diabetes Foundation at Denver. 

She credits her KOMO broadcasting mentor Marty Camp Wilson, her WSU mentors Hugh Rundell, V.N. Bhatia, Carla Kappler, and Elwood Hartman, along with alum Keith Jackson, as well as her Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority role models Annjennette McFarlin and Felicia Gaskins for empowering her to reach her goals.

Bertha is one of Denver’s most recognized and honored broadcast journalists, delivering the news to Coloradans for 37 years at KMGH-TV 7 and KUSA-TV 9. She has been involved with countless non-profits in the community throughout her career.  She is a multi- Emmy Award-winning journalist, who has been inducted into the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Heartland Chapter Silver Circle, the Broadcast Professionals of Colorado Hall of Fame, and Denver Press Club Hall of Fame. She has been recognized by McGraw-Hill for Corporate Achievement and the Colorado Association of Black Journalists, which has named its Lifetime Achievement Award for Bertha.

She has dedicated her career to improving the community through her work in the newsroom as well as through her leadership on nonprofit Boards.  Her overarching philosophy is to do all she can for people in need.  

Bertha followed her big brother Joe Lynn to WSU and has been cheering for the Cougs since she was 10.  She is married to Larry Naves, former Denver District Court judge. They are the parents of three children.

She serves as a trustee for Regis University and is a board member emeritus of Cherry Creek Arts Festival. Bertha was appointed by the Colorado Governor to the board of the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District and served two terms. She previously has served as a Director on the Boards of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado, Catholic Foundation of the Archdiocese of Denver, Denver Art Museum African American Outreach Task Force, The Mayor’s Commission on Art Culture and Film, The Children’s Museum, National Jewish Hospital Women’s Division, Denver Symphony Association, Safehouse for Battered Women, KCFR Public Radio, and National Conference of Christians and Jews.