After 19 years of living in Colorado Springs, Laraine Saldivar moved to Denver in January to build Bryan Construction’s Denver brand as its business development manager. Before the big move, Saldivar attended Access Denver, which gave her the starting point to connect with Denver metro area business leaders and get to know her new hometown.
“I fell in love with Denver and all of the amazing people and great things happening here (on Access Denver),” said Saldivar.
Access Denver is a two-day program that provides busy-senior level executives with an overview of the issues facing the Denver metro area and opportunities to make valuable connections. The 2017 class runs Aug. 3 and 4.
“Every city, no matter the size, seems to have the same issues: transportation and infrastructure, homelessness, affordable housing, quality and affordable education for all and workforce development,” Saldivar said. “What I absolutely love about Denver is that so many people are collaborating to work on these issues.”
Collaboration is a part of what makes Denver a great place to do business and to live – it’s a part ofColorado’s Civic DNA™. And, it’s what makes this a welcoming community.
“People from smaller cities ask me if I’m having trouble ’breaking into’ the community. I don’t feel that way at all. I believe that if you have the desire to make a difference, you simply have to mention it to someone,” Saldivar said.
Finding that someone has been easier for Saldivar with the connections she made in Access Denver.
“Alumni of the Leadership Foundation are easily accessible and willing to help connect to others,” Saldivar said. “My career is building relationships, so that makes a huge difference to me.”
As Leadership Foundation alumni, if you know a colleague or friend who recently moved to Denver or changed careers, help them grow their network by encouraging them to apply for Access Denver Aug. 3-4.