DENVER – Nov. 13, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and B:CIVIC celebrated Colorado’s most socially responsible companies at the 2025 Lead with Impact Summit, presented by United Airlines. The annual event recognized organizations that are redefining what it means to lead with purpose, drive positive change, and have an impact in their communities.
The event featured the inaugural Lead with Impact Awards, which highlighted the Metro Denver businesses that are leading the way in implementing positive business practices.
This year’s Lead with Impact Award winners are:
These honorees exemplify what it means to turn values into action, fostering cultures of impact and building partnerships that create lasting community benefit.
The summit featured a panel of representatives from the winning businesses, who discussed how companies can align their business strategies with community engagement to amplify their positive impact. Moderating the conversation was Kristen Blessman, Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and President of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. The panelists included Denver Market President of Alpine Bank, Karrie Fletcher; Journalist for 9NEWS, Kyle Clark; and Chief Operating Officer of CoBank, Andrew Jacob.
Takeaways from the panel include:
“Through initiatives like the Lead with Impact Summit, we shine a light on businesses that not only drive our economy but also strengthen our communities,” said Kristen Blessman. “This year’s award winners demonstrate the power of purpose-driven leadership in creating meaningful, measurable impact across Colorado.”
The 2025 Lead with Impact Summit was made possible thanks to generous sponsors: Presenting Sponsor United Airlines, Champion Sponsor DaVita, and Lead with Impact Award Sponsor Suncor.
About the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
An affiliate organization of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation educates and inspires people who want to make a difference as leaders in the community. Building strong, diverse leaders for more than 45 years, the Leadership Foundation provides the knowledge, skills, networks and experience to inspire leaders to engage in issues critical to the region’s success through a continuum of programs, including Leadership Denver, Impact Denver, Colorado’s Civic DNA Fellows, Leadership Exchange, Access Denver, the Colorado Leadership Alliance and the Leadership Foundation Alumni Network. For more information, please visit denverleadership.org.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce (DMCC) is the architect of tomorrow, igniting change and driving progress to build dynamic economies and communities. We champion innovation, forge powerful partnerships, and relentlessly advocate for our members and all Coloradans. With more than 150 years of trust and impact, we help business flourish.
The DMCC’s vision is Economic Empowerment for Every Coloradan and is achieved by advocating for effective public policy, developing civic leaders, and driving a sustainable economy. We promote a vibrant economy by fostering a business-friendly environment, supporting a skilled workforce and facilitating connections. Dedicated to boosting business and employee opportunities, the Chamber drives sustainable growth and prosperity across Colorado.
Stein Comes to the Chamber with Strong Experience in Member Engagement, Business Marketing, Community Growth and Economic Development
DENVER—The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has named Cayti Stein as its new vice president of sales and investor strategy, she will begin her role in Jan. 2023. In this role, Stein will ensure that the Chamber has sustained revenue and member growth that is representative of the business community. She is responsible for developing and executing sales strategies, overseeing the sales team, sustaining revenue growth and cultivating new member relations. She is a “boomerang” to the Chamber, having worked for the organization from 2017-2020 as vice president of investor relations.
“Cayti has incredible experience in strategizing and teambuilding that will further the Chamber’s ability to deliver exceptional value, and her background in economic development gives her insight into a matter that’s hugely impactful for our members,” said J. J. Ament, president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. “We are thrilled to have her back, and we can’t wait to see all she’ll accomplish for the Chamber and our members.”
Stein has dedicated her career to leading organizations that build vibrant communities. Prior to rejoining the Denver Metro Chamber, she served as the chief marketing and business development officer of a national architecture firm headquartered in Colorado. She also has well-rounded experience leading an international chamber of commerce and economic development organizations.
“I am proud to rejoin the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce—an organization that is boldly paving the way for Colorado’s future,” said Stein. “This is a pivotal time for Colorado, and I look forward to working with members and business leaders to support the organization’s vision and mission.”
Stein is a proud Colorado native and graduate of the University of Colorado at Boulder. In her free time, she enjoys traveling, backpacking, playing tennis and exploring all that Colorado her to offer with her family.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
For 155 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver EDC, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council, B:CIVIC and Prosper Colorado. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
This past week, the Chamber was excited to announce that our staff is now fully back in person at our office! Over the past two years, we have been in and out of the office as pandemic restrictions made working in person difficult and nearly every meeting was converted into a virtual experience. Some of our staff who were hired during the pandemic would have been partly or mostly virtual up until now, and may not have gotten the chance to fully explore our downtown office or meet coworkers.
With this in mind, we are thrilled to welcome everyone back in person! The Chamber encourages our staff to bond, collaborate and share ideas face-to-face, since we know the best relationships and goals come from this type of irreplaceable communication.
To welcome our staff, we had fun surprises set each day of the week for their return!
For the first day back, the office surprised staff with a complimentary coffee bar and breakfast! Everyone had the opportunity to eat some great food and take a break from working to chat with each other!
Day two brought a wonderful surprise for our staff as well. We were all told to walk out to our front patio where we were met by a bunch of puppies from Lifeline Puppy Rescue! This non-profit, no-kill shelter brings puppies out to groups to help socialize the puppies and show which ones will be up for adoption soon. Our staff got a chance to play around with these precious pups and help them learn to interact with people for future adoption!
Day three brought us another day of sweet surprises with a complimentary candy bar! This was a great treat to have following the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation's Leading Colorado Luncheon, which announced the 9NEWS Leader of the Year! Read about the winner, Lydia Prado, to learn more about this great achievement.
Our fourth day brought us a healthy smoothie bar that our staff was able to enjoy! It’s a good thing we got a healthy treat this day too, since on our fifth day we had a huge spread of barbecue for our Rockies opening day party! It was a delicious afternoon where we got a break from work to hang out and eat, and, of course, talk about who was going to the big game!
The Chamber is so happy to welcome back our wonderful staff, and thankful for all the thought and planning that went into setting up our welcome back week! There are more surprises to come as we continue our work, and we can’t wait to see what’s next!
DENVER – United Airlines is expanding its engagement at the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce as a new trustee, joining ten other trustee level organizations as the Chamber’s largest investors. Every Chamber member is committed to community stewardship and supporting Colorado’s economic growth and prosperity, but trustees underwrite the work of our entire organization: economic vitality and inclusion, policy and leadership development.
Denver is home to one of United’s fastest growing hubs, with the airline providing service to more places around the world than any other carrier. United, the largest airline in Denver, currently employs more than 7,000 people and expects to create as many as 3,000 well-paying jobs in Denver over the coming years due to the airline’s planned growth. Recently, their minimum wage increased to nearly $20 an hour, and they are committed to hiring a diverse workforce that mirrors the community of Denver.
United’s longstanding commitment to Denver extends beyond the airport, as Denver is home to United’s Flight Training Center – one of the largest facilities of its kind in the world. Each year, United trains more than 12,000 pilots at this state-of-the-art center.
“We love operating in Denver,” said Matt Miller, the airline’s vice president for Airport Operations at Denver International Airport. “This city has been our home for 85 consecutive years. We are honored to become the newest trustee member of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, further demonstrating our commitment to Denver and Colorado.”
United has been a member of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce for 88 years. They are a fully engaged member of the Chamber, serving on the Chamber Board of Directors, the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation’s Executive Committee and the Prosper Colorado Leadership Council. United is also the presenting sponsor for the State of the City event, a gathering of leaders focused on regional collaboration.
“We are thrilled to have United as one of our newest trustees,” said the Denver Metro Chamber’s CEO and president, J. J. Ament. “The Chamber is honored and proud of our historic and longtime partnership with United, and their continued commitment to our community is evident. They are a fantastic business that provides growth and services to flyers in the Denver region, especially to our business customers who need that convenient connection to the world.”
The Chamber thanks United Airlines not only for its investment with us, but for its commitment to Colorado.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce: For 155 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been the leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state and employs some 400,000 Coloradans, the Chamber serves the small and large businesses who create Colorado’s economy. The Chamber family includes the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Denver Metro Chamber’s Leadership Foundation. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
Davis brings nearly three decades of business and community leadership to the role
DENVER – The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has named Jerome Davis executive vice president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and president of the Chamber’s Leadership Foundation. Davis stepped into the role on an interim basis in Jan. 2022.
“As one of the most respected leaders in the community, Jerome is an ideal fit for this role,” said Chamber Foundation board chair Andrea Fulton. “His wisdom and experience, combined with his passion for the mission of the organization and his alignment with the values of the Foundation make him the perfect partner to envision the next chapter for the organization.”
A former regional vice president for Xcel Energy, Davis has long been an engaged member of the community through board and volunteer service, including board chair of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation in 2008-09. Recognized as the Foundation’s 9NEWS Leader of the Year in 2021, Davis has served on the boards of Visit Denver, the Colorado Health Foundation, Canvas Credit Union, the Aurora Economic Development Council and the Denver Chapter of the American Association of Blacks in Energy.
“Jerome is an incredible asset to the Chamber and to our Leadership Foundation. His history with every aspect of the Chamber organization and deep expertise in leadership are exceptional and unique. And he’s just a super cool person as well,” said Chamber president and CEO, J. J. Ament. “We are fortunate to have him on board to help guide the organization into the future.”
As part of the executive leadership team of Chamber, Davis will lead the staff and programs of the Chamber’s Leadership Foundation, which include Access Denver, Colorado’s Civic DNA Fellows, Leadership Denver, Impact Denver, Leadership Exchange, Colorado Leadership Alliance, Virtual Voices and Leading Colorado. He will also oversee the work of B:CIVIC, which focuses on corporate social responsibility programs and engagement.
“Through my involvement as an alum and board member over the years, I have long admired how important the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation is to our community, inspiring people on their journeys to become civic leaders and make a difference in our communities,” said Davis. “After working with the incredible Foundation staff over the last three months, I have an even deeper appreciation for the organization’s work and can’t wait to continue in this role, guiding and growing the Chamber family of organizations. The future is bright for the Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Chamber and our region and state.”
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce: For 155 years, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce has been a leading voice for Colorado’s business community. With a membership that spans the state and employs some 400,000 Coloradans, the Chamber serves the small and large businesses who create Colorado’s economy. The Chamber family includes the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation and the Denver Metro Chamber’s Leadership Foundation. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
We were saddened to learn about the passing of Joe Blake, former Denver Metro Chamber president and CEO. Here is a statement from J. J. Ament, friend of Joe and president and CEO of the Denver Metro Chamber.
Joe Blake was one of the best among us – and with a really interesting and pretty cool background. I mean, who goes from FBI agent to real estate developer to chancellor of a university? And throw in Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce CEO along the way. I’ve never met another who had Joe’s mastery of vocabulary. I’m convinced Webster’s called him a few times to see what they’d missed in their latest edition. In a battle of wits, you wanted to be on Joe’s side every time.
He was so well read and such a buff of history – that there was little he couldn’t speak with authority about – and yet Joe had a knack for making others heard and lifting up those who worked with and around him.
He really dedicated his whole life to making this community better. The Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce family is so sorry to lose Joe Blake, but so grateful and proud of his service to us and to all of Colorado.
Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation holds second annual Alumni Giving Day
You know an effective leader when you see one. It’s a person who can rally a team, envision a path forward for a business and unite people with diverse perspectives to make our region and our state better.
As graduates of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation programs, we know that better than anybody. We credit much of our success in civic engagement to the Leadership Foundation. The foundation helped us build the skills, framework and network to take our leadership to the next level.
We are now asking you to join us in providing the opportunity for future Chamber leaders to participate in these programs. Donate to the Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund today on Alumni Giving Day.
The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, a part of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce family of organizations, has helped strong, diverse leaders discover their journeys and lead where they stand for nearly 50 years. Your donation to the Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund will open the doors to more people who are ready to tap into their passion and lead but would not otherwise be able to access the foundation’s transformational programming.
And even better, Chamber Patron Delta Dental of Colorado believes in this work and has created a $10,000 challenge match for any donations made today.
On top of that, the four highest donors today will receive lunch with us at the Denver Art Museum.
Our business community is stronger today because of the thousands of alumni who have experienced the Leadership Foundation’s programs. Will you help others tap into their potential?
Mark Spiecker
Chair, Board of Directors
Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
Alum, Leadership Denver 2012 and Colorado’s Civic DNA Fellow 2018
Andrea Fulton
Chair, Board of Directors
Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
Alum, Leadership Denver 2015
