Michael Niyompong remembers the moment he decided to spend his career serving the Colorado community. 

He had made the switch out of the private sector and was a few days into his new role at Mile High United Way, one of Colorado’s oldest charitable organizations. As he walked out of the former LoHi office to go home for the night, a car pulled up in front of him. 

Knowing the office was closed, Michael asked how he could help. The woman told him that her husband had just lost his job, they were kicked out of their home and they needed somewhere to stay. He remembered what he’d learned in a meeting that week and pulled out his phone to call the 24-hour 2-1-1 helpline. Together, they found someone who could help.  

Since that evening, Michael has established himself as a recognized nonprofit leader whose commitment to learning and passion for relationship building creates stronger, healthier communities across Colorado. 

Michael is a native Coloradan. Born to Thai parents, he spent most of his early years traveling between Bangkok and Colorado, a time when he sometimes struggled to find true belonging. This would later inform his dedication to helping others find their community. After attending the University of Colorado Boulder for his bachelor’s degree and the University of Denver for his master’s degree, he chose to settle in Denver, a place he was proud to call home. 

Professionally, Michael is a self-proclaimed “recovering engineer” motivated by purpose, mission and his own constant curiosity. In his former roles as vice president of technology and facilities at Mile High United Way and chief operating officer at Clayton Early Learning, he was driven to make a difference by supporting initiatives that create more equitable communities. 

In his current role as the Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer at the Mental Health Center of Denver, he continues to contribute to the greater, more equitable good. His steady leadership has advanced the organization’s mission of expanding access to innovative and effective behavioral healthcare for the whole community. 

When he’s not pursuing his professional passion for mental health, Michael lends his expertise on a variety of commissions and boards across the city. He is currently active on the Library Commission for the Denver Public Library, the Colorado State Leadership Council for Enterprise Community Partners and the Housing Advisory Committee at the Colorado Health Foundation, and was recently appointed to the HealthONE Board. Formerly, he participated in the Community Advisory Board for Rocky Mountain PBS and served on the boards of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation and Colorado Nonprofit Development Center. He also served on the Denver Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender Commission from 2005-2009.

Michael was recognized for his work by The Denver Business Journal as one of its 40 under 40 leaders in 2013, selected as one of five Livingston Fellows in 2017, and was named by the Aspen Institute to the inaugural class of the Ascend Colorado Children and Families Fellowship. 

Throughout his career Michael has had the privilege of working with and learning from incredible individuals from across the world. The people who inspire him most every day, however, are the ones right here in Colorado. 

Vote for Michael to be the 2022 9NEWS Leader of the Year.