What Does Look Both Ways Mean?
The concept of Look Both Ways was created by Dr. Betsy Cairo, a reproductive biologist and educator. She had just attended an abstinence-only training course and couldn’t get this comparison out of her mind…... “Abstinence-only programs are like telling your kids to only look one way when they cross the street. By focusing all of our attention in one direction, kids are blind-sided by the traffic coming from the opposite way the very moment they decide to step into the street.”
This thought fueled Cairo to start an organization that teaches students to ‘look both ways’ at abstinence and at sexual activity. By focusing on science-based information about our bodies and the risks and responsibilities that come with being sexually active, Look Both Ways empowers students of every culture, religion, sexual orientation, and gender to make educated choices about their reproductive health.
Dr. Betsy Cairo founded Look Both Ways in 2006 and dedicated our program towards helping teach comprehensive reproductive health education to our youth, our educators and parents around the world. Dr. Cairo used her years of field experience, combined with her many years of teaching to develop the curriculum we use today. She wrote the textbook, "Reproductive Health: The Science, Psychology & Sociology of Being", which is available on our site for purchase, in both college and high school editions. Dr. Cairo also works with educators to ensure they develop the skills, knowledge and confidence necessary to lecture on such an important topic.
Dr. Betsy Cairo
Mandy Johnson, our new Executive Director, has been a dedicated high school educator for over 20 years, including extensive work in reproductive education. A nationally certified sexuality educator since 2017, Mandy currently teaches in the Poudre School District, where she continues to inspire and educate students with her expertise and passion.
Her journey with Look Both Ways began in the summer of 2010 when she collaborated with Dr. Betsy Cairo to develop and co-teach a semester-long high school course called Reproductive Health. Piloted twice in the Thompson School District, the course was the first of it's time in northern Colorado. Mandy's background teaching Family & Consumer Sciences laid the groundwork for her commitment to comprehensive sexuality education.
In 2011, she joined the Look Both Ways Board of Directors, becoming a key contributor to our mission. After years of leadership and dedication, Mandy stepped into the role of Executive Director in 2025, proudly carrying forward Dr. Cairo’s legacy and continuing the vital work of empowering students through education.
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Kathi Wright
Kathi Wright joined our team in the spring of 2018. She previously held the position of Executive Director of the Boys and Girls Club of Larimer County for over 19 years. Kathi's passion in helping youth to have bright futures is what drives her and her commitment to this cause it what has drawn her to Look Both Ways.
Kate Bowman
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Kate is self employed and provides IT services for small & medium sized businesses including their computer, software, networking, service & training needs. Kate has built a book-keeping company that services Colorado companies and previously, she was the General Manager & co-owner of a family business that sold cars, trucks, & farm equipment. Kate began her involvement with The Gender Identity Center of Colorado in 1991 & took on an active role in 2003, helping to promote and present at the Colorado Gold Rush conference which is one of 12 national transgender conferences put on during the year in different states. In 2006 Kate became the Board Chair of the Gender Identity Center & continues to hold that position. She is also the Co-Chair of The Colorado Gold Rush Conference. In her spare time, Kate does outreach presentations to high schools, community colleges, colleges, universities, businesses, & churches to educate people about the issues transgendered individuals face during their lives. Kate is also involved in her Catholic Parish & notes that her 5 grandchildren outrank all of the above if they want to do something!
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Meet Dr. Betsy Cairo, PhD, HCLD and CSES. Dr. Cairo is our founder and is now Treasurer of the board. She was a Reproductive Biologist and holds a PhD in Human Reproduction from the Union Institute, in Cincinnati, Ohio and a BS in Animal Science from Colorado State University in Fort Collins, Colorado. Dr. Cairo taught both graduate and undergraduate courses at the University of Northern Colorado for 21 years. She emphasizes Reproductive Health through a variety of classes including Human Sexuality, Drug Abuse, and Human Disease. Dr. Cairo has worked in the field of reproductive medicine for over 25 years. She founded CryoGam Colorado, LLC, in 1990.
Dr. Betsy Cairo
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Monica Strachan
Monica Strachan has a passion for working in public health, health promotion and education. As a consultant at Worldways Social Marketing, she works on various projects covering various health topics, including emergency preparedness, reducing unintended pregnancies, water conservation, preventing falls and injuries among older adults and childhood obesity prevention. She understands the importance of conducting research properly and thoroughly. Her work with a health communication research firm has given her extensive experience in developing content, focus group facilitation and analysis, developing and testing multimedia and web tools for health promotion and different research evaluation techniques. Monica enjoys giving back to her community by coaching soccer for Special Olympics with Denver Parks and Recreation.
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Emily Tomasini
Emily...comin soon
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Anti-Discrimination Policy
It is the policy of Look Both Ways, Inc. to be an equal opportunity employer, to seek, employ and assign the best qualified personnel, and to provide equal opportunities for their training and promotion. Look Both Ways, Inc. shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, gender expression, or military status in any of its activities or operations. These activities include, but are not limited to, hiring and firing of staff, selection of volunteers, selection of vendors, and provision of services.