Community College of Denver President Dr. Marielena DeSanctis has been selected to join the Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT) Board of Directors, marking a significant milestone in her distinguished career in education and community leadership. Dr. DeSanctis is among other top professionals in the education, community, government, and business sectors leading the way for better economic opportunities for community members across the state of Colorado.

The Colorado Business Roundtable represents one of the state's most influential organizations, bringing together leaders from a range of industries to address critical economic challenges facing Colorado. With a diverse Board, COBRT gives way for collaboration in examining statewide obstacles through a local, state, and global perspective to figure out resolutions to enhance Colorado’s economy while improving the quality of life for Coloradans. This comprehensive approach ensures that solutions are not only locally relevant but also globally competitive, positioning Colorado as a leader in economic innovation and development.

President DeSanctis joins the COBRT Board of Directors along with familiar faces in higher education, creating a robust educational contingent that will bring valuable academic perspectives to the organization's strategic initiatives. These higher education leaders include Dr. Janine Davidson from Metro State University Denver, Dr. Andy Feinstein from University of Northern Colorado, Amy Parsons from Colorado State University, Dr. Jeremy Haefner from University of Denver, and Dr. Mordecai Ian Brownlee from Community College of Aurora. This strong representation from Colorado's educational institutions demonstrates the roundtable's commitment to fostering collaboration between academia and industry.

As previously mentioned, the Board is composed of leaders in other business sectors creating a dynamic mix of expertise and experience. These representatives include leaders from major corporations and organizations such as representatives from XCEL Energy, IBM, Chevron, CAP Logistics, Denver Museum of Nature and Science, Lockheed Martin, AdventHealth, Arc Thrift Stores, and many more. This disparate representation ensures that the roundtable's decisions and recommendations reflect the needs and perspectives of various industries that drive Colorado's economy.

According to cobrt.com, the Colorado Business Roundtable’s foundation is comprised of four unique pillars: 

• A competitive tax and regulatory agenda.
• Developing and attracting a robust Colorado workforce, both now and in the future.
• Forward- thinking, sustainable infrastructure.
• Purposeful leadership to improve communities for the citizenry of Colorado. 

Dr. DeSanctis brings a wealth of experience to this prestigious position, with her extensive background in educational leadership and industry experience. Her unique perspective as an educator, and engineer, who understands the practical needs of students and the broader community will be invaluable as the roundtable works to address Colorado's economic challenges. Her appointment reflects the recognition of the critical role that education plays in economic development and workforce preparation.

With a seat on the COBRT Board of Directors, President Dr. Marielena DeSanctis’ will provide significant contributions to CCD students, community members, and the state’s economic wellbeing. Through her involvement with COBRT, she, along with others, will help shape policies and initiatives that create pathways for student success, support community development, and strengthen Colorado's position as a leader in economic innovation and opportunity creation.