2023 Judging Panel

Meet Our 2023 Judges
Colorado Companies to Watch was born out of a unique partnership with the State of Colorado and the private sector who understood the importance of recognizing the valuable contribution of 2nd Stage Companies. Today this strong relationship continues. We are honored to have the particpation of these State and Industry Professionals in selecting our 2023 Finalists and Winners.
Erin Beckstein
Erin Beckstein
Judge Moderator
MelodieReagan
Melodie Reagan
Judge Facilitator
Finalist Judging

Ashley Mount currently serves the State as a Program Manager supporting multiple Strategic Fund Initiatives at the Colorado Office of Economic Development and International Trade. She has extensive experience in workforce development, community college and career technical education program development, federal grant management as a former Director of the Carl D. Perkins Grant, as well as a background in business operations and capital construction as a former Procurement Official.

Ashley has helped advance regional strategic planning in partnership with business, education, and industry as a part of her past tenure within the Colorado Community College System, and is passionate about developing initiatives to advance economic empowerment and prosperity for all Coloradans.

 
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Stephanie Veck

Project Director

Maher & Maher

 
Stephanie Veck serves as a Project Director for Industry Engagement & Work-Based Learning and supports Maher’s technical assistance work.   Stephanie joined Maher & Maher in 2018, bringing over 30 years of business, education, economic and workforce development experience to the Maher team. Prior to joining Maher, Stephanie served as managing director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) where she was responsible for coalition building to create an integrated talent development system that met the needs of students, jobseekers, workers, and businesses. This work to align education, training, workforce, and economic development efforts with the needs of the industry, helped ensure that every person has access to education and training, and a path to a good job, great career and successful life. While at the CWDC she co-chaired the Governor’s Workforce and Education Cabinet, and led the establishment of TalentFOUND Colorado’s integrated talent development network, the Colorado model for Sector Partnerships, industry-led Career Pathways, and a statewide commitment to integrating a work-based learning continuum into education for youth and adult learners.
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Renise Walker

Assistant Director of Systems Innovation

Colorado Workforce Development Council

Renise serves as the assistant director of systems innovation for the CWDC Office. Serving as an active leader for the CWDC Office, Renise represents the CWDC Office at state and national conferences and continues to innovate and be a thought leader in the talent development landscape in Colorado and nationally. She is responsible for critical relationship development with external partners and provides management and alignment of CWDC's efforts to lead and support industry-led networks, develop and strengthen career pathway systems, and implement stimulus-funded initiatives in support of Colorado's economic recovery. Prior to joining the CWDC in 2015, Renise led the backbone efforts of a collective impact initiative working to advance affordable housing, workforce development, and economic mobility for underserved populations in the nation’s capital.

Walker believes strongly that enacting large-scale social challenges requires a willingness to innovate, break down silos, and collaborate across traditional boundaries. She holds a bachelor’s degree from Colorado College and a master’s in public administration from the University of Colorado Denver School of Public Affairs. As a proud third-generation Coloradan, Renise cares deeply about the future of Colorado and creating and sustaining opportunities for Colorado residents.

As the Managing Director of the Colorado Workforce Development Council Office, Lee manages the execution of strategies to develop and sustain an industry-led talent development system in Colorado. By forging relationships with industry and public partners at the local and state level, Lee helps to ensure the alignment of talent development efforts statewide. Lee has been with the CWDC since 2014 and brings extensive project management and leadership experience to this role. He previously worked as an independent consultant for mission-driven for-profit and nonprofit entities, as well as holding senior leadership positions with Hunger Free Colorado and Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates. Lee holds an MBA with a concentration in social entrepreneurship from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and is an active coffee drinker at his local Edgewater coffee shop.
    Winner Judging
    Colorado Companies to Watch seeks a diverse group of business leaders throughout the State of Colorado to join our panel of judges who offer unique perspectives to the confidential judging process.
Compassionate executive leader with P&L responsibility, operational excellence, culture, product development, sales and marketing; consistently leveraging strong leadership skills to drive sales, improvements and productivity.
 
pampeccolo
Pam Peccolo

Director of Partnerships

Rockies Venture Club

 

Pam Peccolo serves as Director of Partnerships for Rockies Venture Club, a Denver-based nonprofit that educates and connects entrepreneurs and investors. RVC also is the longest running angel investing group in the U.S. On behalf of RVC, Pam builds and maintains reciprocal business relationships with corporations, nonprofits and government entities. An innovation "evangelist," Pam co-founded and served as the first executive director of Prime Health, Colorado's community of health care innovators. When not working, she is usually reading books about science, practicing speaking Italian and looking for the best cannolis in town.