Chris Shapard

Chris leads the organization’s economic development strategy to grow jobs in the Denver South region. She and her team communicate with companies across the globe and down the street, to tell the Denver South story and connect them to the region’s people, places, policies and partners that will enable their success.

With over 20 years of experience in Colorado’s economic development, public sector and business communities, she brings with her a wealth of knowledge regarding Colorado’s business climate, industry sectors, government programs and the people responsible for them. She recently led the Colorado Cleantech Industry Association as founding executive director, helping to grow the industry with policy, innovation and partnering initiatives while managing the organization’s operations and staff.  Previous stints included leadership positions in the Colorado BioScience Association and serving Colorado Governor Bill Owens in the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade.

In her free time Chris enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter.