DENVER (April 11, 2024) — 9NEWS and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation announced John Farnam, Managing Director of the Morgridge Family Foundation, as the 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year. The award for community leadership was presented during the Leading Colorado Luncheon, an annual event aimed at raising funds for the Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund and honoring leadership excellence in Metro Denver. Voting among the three finalists was open to the public.
Farnam leads the Morgridge Family Foundation’s initiatives across Colorado and the nation, addressing systemic inequities and promoting inclusivity by strategically aligning resources and fostering innovation around social issues. Throughout the voting process, Farnam was described as a transparent community leader whose dynamic approach to problems inspires partners to reach for more for those in their communities.
In response to being named the 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year, John shared an inspiring message about the importance of fostering leadership among others. "Inspiring those around us to see themselves as leaders is critical. A key takeaway that I would like you to have today is how are you creating the space and the sightline to leadership for all of those that you surround yourself with. I am deeply honored, thank you all who voted. It is truly my pleasure and my joy to be the 9NEWS Leader of the Year."
Prior to joining the Morgridge Family Foundation, Farnam held leadership positions at the Northern Colorado AIDS Project and Goodwill Industries. He also played a key role in founding MindSpark Learning, refining his multifaceted approach to convening communities to solve problems.
“John is an authentic, vulnerable, and driven leader who knows that anyone can lead from where they stand. This belief is central to the work of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and embodies a defining characteristic of Coloradoans.” said Jerome Davis, Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and President of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation. “As we reflect on the 50th anniversary of our Leadership Denver program and look toward the future of leadership in the Denver Metro we are delighted to honor John with this award.”
Farnam has received numerous awards and honors throughout his career, including recognition as a Do Something Award winner, appointments as an advisor to multiple governors, and a fellowship at The Common Sense Institute.
For over 25 years, the 9NEWS Leader of the Year award has recognized outstanding leaders passionate about making a difference in Colorado. The 2024 finalists included Farnam and:
- Lorez Meinhold, Executive Director, Caring for Denver Foundation
- Peter F. LiFari, Chief Executive Officer, Maiker Housing Partners
To learn more about John Farnam and the 2024 9NEWS Leader of the Year finalists, visit www.denverleadership.org/leadingco
Photo courtesy of Dave Anderson at InSync Photography + Design
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.
