Colorado Leadership Stories

Chairman Melvin Baker: Preserving Place & Purpose

Join Boettcher Foundation Chair Michelle Lucero and President & CEO Katie Kramer for a conversation with Melvin Baker, who served as Chairman of the Southern Ute Indian Tribe [https://www.southernute-nsn.gov/] for nearly 15 years. In his last public interview before resigning due to health reasons, former Chairman Baker reflects on tribal sovereignty, cultural preservation, economic development, and the values that guide leadership in the Southern Ute community.  From protecting land and language to investing in future generations, this episode of Colorado Leadership Stories explores how respect, partnership, and a deep connection to place continue to shape the tribe’s purpose and vision for the future.  Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/id1700984153] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1svsROYyRGtVIuCjjhcxer]| Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/141f7226-f99c-426e-8d47-1f115d27c484/colorado-leadership-stories]| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/PC:1001076991] or wherever you get podcasts! Colorado Leadership Stories [https://boettcherfoundation.org/category/podcasts/] is a podcast presented by Boettcher Foundation [https://boettcherfoundation.org/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/boettcherfdn/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/boettcher-foundation] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BoettcherFoundation] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Susana Cordova: Leading Through Learning

Meet Susana Cordova, [https://www.tffel.com/faculty/dr-susana-cordova/] Colorado’s 18th education commissioner and former Denver Public Schools superintendent, whose lifelong connection to Colorado public schools has informed her approach to leadership, learning, and service. A Denver native and DPS graduate, Susana’s deep Colorado roots continue to guide her dedication to public education across the state. Tune in to hear how her experiences as a teacher, principal, superintendent, and statewide leader continue to influence her work supporting educators, students, and families. Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/id1700984153] | Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/1svsROYyRGtVIuCjjhcxer]| Amazon Music [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/141f7226-f99c-426e-8d47-1f115d27c484/colorado-leadership-stories]| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/PC:1001076991] or wherever you get podcasts! Colorado Leadership Stories [https://boettcherfoundation.org/category/podcasts/] is a podcast presented by Boettcher Foundation [https://boettcherfoundation.org/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/boettcherfdn/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/boettcher-foundation] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BoettcherFoundation] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Becky Kourlis: A Life Shaped By Place & Purpose

Meet Becky Kourlis, a former Colorado Supreme Court justice, founder of the Institute for the Advancement of the American Legal [https://iaals.du.edu/]System, and Foundation Trustee. From her upbringing in the Governor’s Residence at the Boettcher Mansion to building a life in rural Colorado, Becky's journey reflects the powerful influence of place on perspective and purpose. Tune in to hear how she approaches leadership through listening, collaboration, and commitment to using the law as a tool to strengthen and improve communities. Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/id1700984153] | Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/show/1svsROYyRGtVIuCjjhcxer]| Amazon Music  [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/141f7226-f99c-426e-8d47-1f115d27c484/colorado-leadership-stories]| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/PC:1001076991] or wherever you get podcasts! Colorado Leadership Stories [https://boettcherfoundation.org/category/podcasts/] is a podcast presented by Boettcher Foundation [https://boettcherfoundation.org/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/boettcherfdn/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/boettcher-foundation] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BoettcherFoundation] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Josh Blanchard: Creating Through Place

Meet Josh Blanchard, director of Colorado Creative Industries and former Summit County Commissioner, whose work is rooted in a simple but powerful idea: place matters. From community theater to county leadership to statewide arts advocacy, Josh has spent his career partnering with rural communities to shape vibrant, creative places where people and ideas can thrive. Tune in to hear Josh's story and how he bolsters art as economic development. Learn more about the Colorado Tourism Office: https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-tourism-office [https://oedit.colorado.gov/colorado-tourism-office] Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/id1700984153] | Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/show/1svsROYyRGtVIuCjjhcxer]| Amazon Music  [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/141f7226-f99c-426e-8d47-1f115d27c484/colorado-leadership-stories]| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/PC:1001076991] or wherever you get podcasts! Colorado Leadership Stories [https://boettcherfoundation.org/category/podcasts/] is a podcast presented by Boettcher Foundation [https://boettcherfoundation.org/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/boettcherfdn/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/boettcher-foundation] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BoettcherFoundation] See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].

Brock Leach: Leaning Into Passion

In today’s episode, Dr. Brock Leach reflects on a career spanning business, ministry, and nonprofit service. A 1976 Boettcher Scholar, Brock shares how his early years in Colorado shaped a lifelong commitment to service and led him from PepsiCo, where he served as CEO of Frito-Lay, to spiritual leadership, teaching, and social justice work. He offers insights on innovation, purpose, and leadership that helps others grow, including one memorable story about how a simple question sparked an idea that helped Tostitos salsa became a billion-dollar brand. At the center of the conversation is a clear belief: leadership is not about charisma, but about creating the conditions for people to discover what they do well, what they love, and what matters to them, and apply those strengths to something larger than themselves. Watch this episode on our YouTube page. [https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLA5kjveZJnCUbFdJFRcPTL9DXlnmg7BW0] Listen on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/id1700984153] | Spotify  [https://open.spotify.com/show/1svsROYyRGtVIuCjjhcxer]| Amazon Music  [https://music.amazon.com/podcasts/141f7226-f99c-426e-8d47-1f115d27c484/colorado-leadership-stories]| Pandora [https://www.pandora.com/podcast/colorado-leadership-stories/PC:1001076991] or wherever you get podcasts! Colorado Leadership Stories [https://boettcherfoundation.org/category/podcasts/] is a podcast presented by Boettcher Foundation [https://boettcherfoundation.org/] Follow us on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/boettcherfdn/], LinkedIn [https://www.linkedin.com/company/boettcher-foundation] and Facebook [https://www.facebook.com/BoettcherFoundation]! See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy [https://art19.com/privacy] and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info [https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info].