DENVER (April 17, 2024) — The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, in partnership with the Boettcher Foundation, proudly announced Gabriel Trujillo as the 2024 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year. Trujillo, a senior at Metropolitan State University of Denver majoring in Psychology and minoring in Spanish, was honored during the Leading Colorado Luncheon, celebrating outstanding leadership and community impact.
In response to being named the 2024 Boettcher Student Leader of the Year, Trujillo expressed deep gratitude for his community and mentors. “I began to join programs – the honors program, the Urban Leaders program and student government – and got to do amazing research with my professors. I formed crucial connections with staff, faculty, and friends that later guided me to accomplish all the work that I have done.”
Trujillo also shared an inspiring message about leadership, emphasizing empowerment. “We as leaders can sometimes look at an issue and think that we are there to save individuals, but we as leaders should empower folks instead. We are here to empower them and give them support so that they can become their own heroes.”
A senior leader on campus, Trujillo serves as Chair of the Student Affairs Board, a representative on the Student Advisory Committee to the Auraria Board, and the student representative on the Auraria Board of Directors. He advocates for student needs across MSU Denver and the Auraria Campus. Gabe plans to enroll in graduate school and begin a career in higher education, continuing his life’s mission to provide more access and opportunities to undergraduate students of all backgrounds and lived experiences.
Jerome Davis, Executive Vice President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and President of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, highlighted Trujillo’s exceptional contributions. “Gabriel’s unwavering commitment to empowering and advocating for his fellow students reflects the heart of our leadership initiatives. His ability to connect, inspire, and effect change exemplifies the resilient spirit we aim to foster within our community. Gabriel’s contributions are not only remarkable but also a testament to the profound impact young leaders can have in shaping the future of our region. “
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.
About the Boettcher Foundation
The Boettcher family legacy in Colorado is steeped in a history of opportunity, hard work, and community giving. Charles Boettcher’s entrepreneurial ventures in the late 1800s laid the foundation for the family’s success, with his son Claude K. Boettcher further diversifying their interests. In 1937, Claude’s vision led to the establishment of the Boettcher Foundation, aimed at giving back to their home state. Today, the Boettcher Foundation remains committed to these principles, investing in people, programs, and organizations that drive Colorado’s progress forward. For more information, please visit boettcherfoundation.org