China Califf has been named the new director of the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center (SBDC), an affiliate of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.
Califf comes to the organization with nearly 20 years of experience helping entrepreneurs and small businesses start and grow. In her role at the Denver Metro SBDC, she will oversee a team committed to providing educational programming, one-on-one free consulting and virtual resources to Colorado entrepreneurs.
“We are excited to have China join our Denver Metro SBDC and the Chamber family at the time our small business community needs us most,” said Kelly Brough, Denver Metro Chamber president and CEO. “As a longtime partner of ours, China understands the strengths and changing needs of this community. We know China’s strong background and proven track record with entrepreneurs coupled with her passion for helping Colorado’s business community will make her successful in her new role as she works to expand the reach of our organization during this critical time. Her work with our team of small business professionals, consultants and partners will help rebuild Colorado’s economy and continue Colorado’s track record as one of the best places in the nation to start a business.”
Prior to being named director of the Denver Metro SBDC, Califf spent 17 years at Colorado Lending Source, where she led branding and marketing strategies, worked with Colorado’s Congressional Delegation and oversaw operations for the organization. Colorado Lending Source has been a key partner of the Denver Metro SBDC for the last two decades. Both organizations are committed to fostering a healthy economy by supporting small businesses and entrepreneurs. Ongoing partnerships between the organizations include Trout Tank Pitch Competition, LEADING EDGE, SBDC Day, Ice House Entrepreneur Development Training and countless educational panels and event collaborations. Califf will continue to foster that partnership in her new role.
“Particularly at this moment in time, the types of education and opportunities needed by entrepreneurs are shifting and I firmly believe the SBDC network is well-positioned to adapt to the changing environment of where and how we do business,” Califf said. “I feel honored to continue the work of helping small businesses and the visionary entrepreneurs behind them to start, grow and prosper through the Denver Metro SBDC.”
"Since joining Colorado Lending Source in 2003, China has been an invaluable part of both the brand and the culture of our organization,” said Colorado Lending Source Executive Director Mike O’Donnell. “China’s leadership has been truly impactful, as she cares deeply about the well-being of each individual at Colorado Lending Source, and constantly strives to empower staff to pursue their passions while keeping everyone accountable for the success of the organization. We look forward to continuing our work with her to support small businesses and entrepreneurs as she embarks on a new adventure at the SBDC.”
The Denver Metro SBDC is a part of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce family of organizations. The Chamber is committed to putting Coloradans to work in great jobs and supporting entrepreneurs is a critical component of that work. In the 2019-2020 fiscal year, the Denver Metro SBDC provided over 100 programs and 300 hours of training, serving 3,500 individuals and nearly 700 small businesses.
About the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center: The Denver Metro SBDC serves dedicated entrepreneurs who want to strengthen their path to success. Utilizing the powerful partnerships of the Colorado Small Business Development Center Network and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro SBDC has been a cornerstone of the business community for over 30 years. For more information, visit denversbdc.org.
About the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce: For 153 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 includes 3,000 businesses and their 400,000 employees, the Chamber is an effective advocate for small and large businesses. The Chamber’s family of organizations includes the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center, the Colorado Competitive Council, B:CIVIC and the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative. For more information, go to denverchamber.org.
About Colorado Lending Source: Celebrating 30 years of lending, Colorado Lending Source cares about small business, creating long-term alliances with our lending partners and borrowers, being a resource to empower entrepreneurs, and making Colorado the best state in the nation to start and grow a business. We partner with local lenders, government agencies, and other small business resources to make access to capital more attainable. As a mission-based lender and small business-financing expert, we are committed to fostering the economic growth of diverse small businesses within our communities. Since 1990, we’ve funded over 3,800 loans helping to create nearly 29,000 jobs injecting over $4.7 billion into the economy. Visit Colorado Lending Source for more information: www.coloradolendingsource.org
