AM Session I:
THE DEI DEBACLE How do we reset it and move forward?
Moderator: Lisa Armstrong
Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, Bechtel
Lisa Armstrong is Bechtel’s Chief Diversity & Inclusion Officer, leading the company’s global strategy to build a culture where all employees feel valued, respected, and empowered to succeed. Based in Reston, Virginia, she brings over 25 years of experience at Bechtel, with leadership roles spanning HR, ethics & compliance, subcontracts, procurement, and project management.
Since joining Bechtel in 1998 as a chemist, Lisa has supported major U.S. government and commercial projects, including Yucca Mountain, the Ground-Based Midcourse Defense program, and Vogtle Units 3 & 4. She has led HR and DEI initiatives across Bechtel’s Nuclear, Security & Environmental business unit.
A lifelong advocate for equity and inclusion, Lisa holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from Elizabeth City State University and is passionate about empowering others to thrive.
Dr. Ben Sanders III, Ph.D.
Chief Equity Officer - City of Denver
Dr. Ben Sanders III, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Equity Officer and a visionary leader in the Denver Mayor’s Office of Social Equity & Innovation. Before his appointment, Dr Sanders served as the Deputy Chief of Staff to the Denver Department of Transportation & Infrastructure, where he directed department-wide equity initiatives and provided invaluable strategic advisement to DOTI’s leadership. He also served as the Director of Race and Social Justice Training & Strategy for former Denver Mayor Michael Hancock.
Dr. Sanders completed his undergraduate work at Hope College and received his Master of Divinity from Union Theological Seminary and his Doctor of Philosophy in Theology, Philosophy, and Cultural Theory at the University of Denver & Iliff School of Theology.
Dr. Sanders has also served as an Adjunct Professor teaching African American Social Ethics as well as an Assistant Professor of Theology & Ethics.
Karen McNeil-Miller
President/ CEO Colorado Health Foundation
Need bio & pic.
AM Session II: Funding the Dream: Grants, Loans & Alternative Capital – Exploring creative ways to secure funding without drowning in debt.
Moderator: Benilda (Benny) Samuels
CEO, AYA Foundation
Benny Samuels is a seasoned multicultural leader in health, human services, and social change, currently serving as President of AYA Foundation, Colorado’s first Black-serving community foundation focused on closing the wealth gap.
With over 35 years of experience, Benny has led transformative initiatives to advance equity and self-sufficiency for communities of color and those furthest from opportunity. Her impact includes launching the Colorado Family Planning Project, which reduced unintended pregnancies by 40%, and leading Community Voices, a national health access initiative funded by the W.K. Kellogg Foundation. As COO and CMO of Nurse-Family Partnership, she oversaw a $56M investment to expand services to thousands of low-income first-time mothers nationwide.
Benny holds degrees from Denver University and CU Boulder, and has worked extensively in and with philanthropy. She’s a champion for children, Black men, and families impacted by poverty and systemic barriers.
Born in Panama and a longtime Colorado resident, Benny enjoys paddleboarding, hiking, and traveling. She serves on the Colorado Outdoor Equity Board and Rose Hospital advisory board, and is a recipient of several honors, including Colorado’s Top 40 Most Powerful Women, the Madam CJ Walker Award, and the “Sweetest” Community Award.
Denise Burgess
President/ CEO
Burgess Services, Inc.
Denise Burgess made history as the first African American Board Chair of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce in September 2017. Recognized among the Top 25 Most Powerful Women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, she also received the Davide E. Baily Small Business Advocate Award, among other accolades. With a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Northern Colorado, Denise initially pursued a career in broadcast management before joining her father, Clyde Burgess, in 1994 at Burgess Heating and Air Conditioning. Following her father's death in 2002, she transformed the family business into a national construction management powerhouse.
Under her leadership, Burgess Services secured significant projects like the Denver Justice Center and the Westin Hotel at Denver International Airport, and a landmark $39.6 million contract at DEN, the largest ever awarded to a black-owned business.
Haroun Cowans
Founder & Managing Principle Goshen Development
Haroun is a prominent social, financial, and philanthropic leader with over two decades of experience leading development and investment in the Five Points District of Denver, Colorado. Haroun is responsible for Goshen Development’s operations, client relations, partnerships, business development, and strategic leadership. He has held many leadership positions in real estate and finance but considers his greatest passion his work as an associate pastor at Church in the City – Beth Abraham.
Maxine E. Harris MBA, MCA, ESG
Founder, President & CEO
Maxx Impact Group
Maxine (Pryor) Harris is the Founder and President of Maxx Impact Group, a consulting firm dedicated to creating sustainable solutions for supplier diversity, corporate culture, social responsibility, and community impact.
A gifted strategist, Maxine excels at developing socially responsible programs that benefit clients and support historically underutilized businesses, underrepresented communities, and disenfranchised individuals. She has been honored with several awards for her contributions to diversity, equity, and inclusion, including the Conference of Minority Transportation Officials "Emerging Leader of the Year" and other accolades from organizations like the Colorado Black Women for Political Action and the National Council of Negro Women.
Maxine is known for her emotional intelligence and ability to inspire and motivate, leaving a positive impact on everyone she meets and encouraging them to reach their full potential.
Rico Nelson
CEO
Civil Technology, Inc.
Rico Nelson is an accomplished executive with expertise in organizational development, talent recruitment, and strategic business leadership. He has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and operational improvements in roles such as the Senior Executive Vice President of Organizational Development at MassMutual Colorado and various leadership positions at Wealth Strategies Group.
Rico is currently the CEO and President/Owner of Civil Technology, Inc., a Denver-based civil engineering and construction management firm. Here, he has focused on stabilizing the company and driving new business initiatives. Additionally, Rico serves as President of the COMTO Colorado chapter, demonstrating his commitment to leadership and community engagement. Throughout his career, Rico has excelled in high-stakes environments, developing solutions that enhance profitability and shareholder value.
PM Track I: The Nonprofit Playbook: Leadership, Innovation & Impact
Morris Price, Jr.
Morris is a seasoned leader in nonprofit management, philanthropy, public service, and higher education with over 30 years of experience. He currently serves as a professional development advisor with Diverse Talent University (a leadership development program of Campbell HR) and is the principal of Morris Price Consultancy, focusing on board development, strategic planning, and nonprofit governance. From 2021 to 2025, he was Vice President of Grants at the Colorado Trust, overseeing $25 million in health equity grantmaking and the foundation's statewide policy and advocacy programs.
Previously, he led City Year Denver as Vice President and Executive Director, managed a congressional district office for Colorado’s 1st District, and held leadership roles at the Gill Foundation and Daniels Fund. His career began in higher education, with roles at the University of Denver, DePauw University, Montclair State, and Wabash College. Deeply engaged in the community, Morris has served on numerous nonprofit boards including chairing the board of the Urban League of Metro Denver, the GLBT Center of Colorado, the GLBT Commission for the City and County of Denver and currently sits on the board of the Rose Community Foundation, Colorado State University Foundation and chair of the gubernatorial appointed board of directors of the Colorado Educational and Cultural Facilities Authority and received multiple awards for civic and LGBTQ+ advocacy. A Denver native and proud graduate of Denver Public Schools, Colorado State University and holds a Master in NonProfit Management from Regis University, he continues to champion equity, education, and public service throughout Colorado and beyond..
LaDawn Sullivan
LaDawn Sullivan is an influencer, innovator and coalition builder. For over 25 years, LaDawn has strengthened and expanded the pipeline of BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) leadership, addressed social injustice, and created racially equitable communities. She is the creator and director of the Black Resilience in Colorado Fund. LaDawn uses her expertise in community engagement and inclusive emerging leadership practices in her internal and external work.
LaDawn is an alumna of the Council on Foundation's Career Pathways Program. She previously served as a key staffer for the Hunt Alternatives Fund, a private foundation, and in former Colorado Governor Roy Romer's Office of Policy and Initiatives. Over the last two decades, she has worked in key positions for The Denver Foundation, most recently as the Director of Leadership and Equity.
