Relentless Forward Movement in Honor of Juneteenth
We can make change happen.
Juneteenth is a commemoration of the relentless forward movement for freedom for our Black/African American friends, colleagues, and loved ones. We need to remember our shared history because although President Abraham Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1862 which outlawed slavery, it took over two years for the announcement by Union Army General Gordon Granger to reach Texas. Juneteenth is a commemoration of that day.
In the Colorado Inclusive Economy movement, we have committed ourselves to a more equitable and inclusive Colorado. We know our work in no way compares to the struggle for freedom or the commemoration of Juneteenth, but we work every day to create an economy that is fully inclusive and allows everyone to bring the best of themselves to every endeavor they choose.
Juneteenth is a reminder for all of us that no one should wait for freedom. We must be intentional in our forward movement to remove all forms of discrimination, hate, and injustice. The moment is now. We must be ceaseless and diligent, and we honor Juneteenth with a commitment to a fully inclusive economy that values the best of all of us.
Rebuilding Colorado’s Economy to Work for All
Making Colorado the most inclusive economy in the nation
Colorado Inclusive Economy is a statewide movement of design, intent, and action led by CEOs and leaders. We support leaders through regular facilitation, an evolving resource toolkit, and peer support to help them build specific Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies that align with their overall organizational goals. Members of Colorado Inclusive Economy have made a long-term commitment to the movement and will report regularly on shared metrics to ensure that we are marking regular and sustained progress towards Colorado’s inclusive economy.
The COVID-19 pandemic has laid bare the economic fragility of the frontline American worker.
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By mid-April 2020, 35% of the lowest-income workers had lost their jobs, compared to just 9% of the highest earners.
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People of color have been particularly impacted, with 24% of Latinos and 23% of Black Americans reporting they’ve been laid off.
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And the protests stemming from the killings of George Floyd, Ahmaud Arbery, Breonna Taylor, and too many other people of color ignited our collective consciousness toward the need for structural change to address systemic inequality.
Join us in creating a Colorado that is more equitable and inclusive by working with our team to:
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Revamp how your organization recruits, hires, supports, and advances employees of color
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Transform culture to embrace and aggressively support inclusivity
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Invest in education and workforce development to create a skilled and inclusive workforce for the future
“We challenge and invite our fellow business leaders to join with us to rebuild in a way that reflects the diversity of our state and creates an economy of shared opportunity and prosperity.”
– Helen Young Hayes, CEO of Activate Workforce Solutions & Executive Sponsor of the Inclusive Economy movement
The Business Case for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Racially and ethnically diverse companies are 35% more likely to outperform their competitors
67% of job seekers consider a diverse workforce as an important factor when evaluating companies and job offers
Team collaboration is 57% better in organizations rated highly for D&I
#InclusiveEconomy in the News
Founding Leaders
Dr. Jandel Allen-Davis
President & CEO, Craig Hospital
Kirsten Benefiel
CEO, HSS
Kendee Ruark
ED, Senior Leadership Manager, JPMorgan Chase
Suzanne Cain
Global Head of Distribution & Marketing, Janus Henderson Investors USA
Michelle D. Campbell
CEO, Diverse Talent; COO, Campbell Litigation; Stakeholder, Colorado REACH
Robert Cohen
Chairman & CEO, IMA Financial Group
Dax Craig
Cofounder & President, Pie Insurance
John C. Greenwood
VP/GM, Smart Mobility, Panasonic Corp. of North America
Kay Henze
CEO & Executive Director, Blackstone Entrepreneurs Network
Lydia Jumonville
CEO, SCL Health
Phil Kalin
President & CEO, Pinnacol Assurance
David Levin
CEO, Four Winds Interactive
Edmund F. Murphy III
President & CEO, Empower Retirement
Alex O’Brien
CEO, Cardinal Group Companies
Christina Ortiz Bluth
CEO, indieDwell
Raju Patel
Senior VP, Market President & Market Executive, Bank of America
Michael Ramseier
President, Kaiser Permanente Colorado
Blair Richardson
CEO & Managing Partner, Bow River Capital
Janice Sinden
President & CEO, Denver Center for the Performing Arts
Craig Smith
President & COO, ANGI Homeservices – HomeAdvisor, Handy & Angie’s List
George Sparks
President & CEO, Denver Museum of Nature and Science
Heather Terenzio
CEO & Founder, Techtonic, Inc.
Ben Valore-Caplan
Founder & CEO, Syntrinsic Investment Counsel
Sara van Rensburg
President & CEO, Colorado Thought Leaders Forum
Dave Welling
CEO, Mercer Advisors
Robin Wittenstein
CEO, Denver Health
Ben Wright
CEO & Founder, Velocity Global
Helen Young Hayes
Founder & CEO, Activate Workforce Solutions; Executive Sponsor of the Movement
Colorado Inclusive Economy Members
Barry Gleichenhaus – CEO, CeDUR Roofing
Ben Weiderholt – President & CEO, STRIDE Community Health Center
Corey Edwards – Regional Director Northwest, Western Governors University
Danielle Shoots – VP & CFO, Colorado Trust; CEO, The Daily Boss Up
Dave Workman – Co-Founder, Trelora
Elizabeth Concordia – CEO, UCHealth
Eric Hiraga – Executive Director, City & County of Denver, Denver Economic Development & Opportunity
Felix M. Lopez – Las Animas Commissioner, CCI
Gwénaël S. Hagan – Owner & President, Signature Windows + Doors
Janet Lamkin – Senior Vice President Market and Community Innovation, United Airlines
Jason Sharpe – Co-Owner & CEO, Namaste Solar
Jeffrey Nathanson – CEO, Strategic Catalysts
Jessica Erickson – President & CEO, Longmont Economic Development Partnership
Joe Thurman – CEO, interview IA
Laurie Muller-Girard – EVP West Regional Commercial Sales Executive, KeyBank
Lisa Jasper – Co-Founder & CEO, Thought Ensemble
Lorii Rabinowitz – CEO, Denver Scholarship Foundation
Marie Peters – Main Street Lead, Colorado Leading Source
Marina Johnson – CEO, Most Programming
Matt Kaspari – President & CEO, Kaspo
Nobu Hata – CEO, Denver Metro Association of Realtors
Richard Lewis – President & CEO, RTL Networks, Inc.
Rob Katz – CEO, Vail Resorts
Rob Painter – CEO, Trimble
Stephanie Loughner – Partner, Moye White
Steve Rendle – Chairman, President, & CEO, VF Corporation
Tyrone Adams – CEO, Colorado Association of Realtors
Colorado Inclusive Economy Leadership
Luella Chavez D’Angelo
CEO, Colorado Inclusive Economy
Helen Young Hayes
Founder & CEO, Activate Workforce Solutions; Executive Sponsor of the Movement
Advisors
Anne Warhover – Retired Chief of Colorado Health Foundation
Carol J. Carter – President and CEO, Global MindED
Ceyl Prinster, CFA – President and CEO, Colorado Enterprise Fund
FloraJane DiRienzo – Deputy Director, Biennial of the Americas
Jason Thompson – VP Diversity and Inclusion, Western Governors University
Jesse King – Chief Leverage Officer, Fulcrum Adivsors LLC
Jesus Salazar – CEO, Prosono
Justine Metz – President, Sapientia Strategic Consulting
Lauren Y. Casteel – President and CEO, Women’s Foundation Colorado
Monica Williams – Executive Producer, The Equity Project
Sarah E. Burney – Executive Director, JP Morgan Chase
Theresa Rinne-Meyers – Director of Impact, Rocky Mountain MicroFinance Institute
Will Chan – Director of External Affairs, Denver Economic Development Office
Committees
Membership Development Committee
David Kendall – Founder, Attorney, and CEO, Bold Legal
Helen Young Hayes – Founder and CEO, Activate Workforce Solutions
Jeffrey Nathanson – CEO, Strategic Catalysts
Justine Metz – President, Sapientia Strategic Consulting
Kathryn Harris – Managing Director, ActivateIT Powered by Per Scholas
Lee Gash-Maxey – Executive Director, Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce
Nobu Hata – CEO, Denver Metro Association of REALTORS
Sara van Rensburg – President and CEO, Colorado Thought Leaders Forum
Toolkit Committee
Amy Lynch – AVP of Human Resources, Pinnacol Assurance
Beverly Jones – Director of Industry Partnerships, Colorado Department of Higher Education
Corey Edwards – Director, Northwest Region and CO Stat Director, Western Governors University
Dan Kaskubar – Founder, Spur LLC
Dave Dookeeram, FACHE – EVP and Chief of Staff, DispatchHealth
David Kendall – Founder, Attorney, and CEO, Bold Legal
Eliza Harding – CEO and Co-Founder, Trendlines USA
Jacob Vigil –Senior Manager, Skillful
Jennifer Mote – Chief Learning Officer, iSSACHAR Center for Urban Leadership
Jessica Welser – Senior Specialist, B:CIVIC
Kendra Prospero – CEO and Founder, Turning the Corner
Nikki Wilkins – Project Manager and Recruiter, CO REACH and Diverse Talent
Stephanie Wise – Assistant, CO Juvenile Defender Center
Susan Oh – Strategic Advisor, Activate Workforce Solutions
Nicole Gravagna – VP, Behavioral Design, interviewIA
Scott Fast – National and State Strategist, Innovate+Educate
Marketing Committee
Anneliese Steel – Corporate Affairs Director, Colorado Concern
Erika Gonzalez – Principal, Scoop Public Relations
Ethan Decker – President, Applied Brand Science
Matt Kaspari – President, Kaspo
Melissa Cunny – Marketing Manager, Activate Workforce Solutions
Ryan Keiffer – Owner and CEO, A-Train Marketing Communications, Inc.
Yolanda Webb – Director of Adult, Aging and Disability Services, Colorado Department of Human Services