Kelly Brough currently serves as the Vice President of Strategic Partnerships for Colorado Mesa University. This role allows Brough to blend her leadership experience across the public and private sectors. As a former chief of staff to Denver Mayor John Hickenlooper, head of human resources for the City of Denver, and CEO of the oldest and largest business advocacy organization in Colorado, she has built effective teams, managed large budgets, negotiated key contracts, influenced public policy and navigated the intersection of the public and private sectors.
Brough led the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce as its first female CEO from 2009 to 2021. During her tenure as CEO, she nearly doubled revenue for the organization, growing it from $17 million to $30 million annually. She raised more than $40 million for ballot issue campaigns, soundly defeating anti-business measures and advancing education, opening primaries, and supporting funding for water. She negotiated policy changes on behalf of thousands of members at the state legislature, regularly testifying on bills and providing media interviews. Committed to diversity, she started a new affiliate in 2018 dedicated to workforce equity, while also diversifying the Chambers’ boards and teams. She has a deep understanding of the industries that drive our economy and has long been committed to growing quality jobs across the region. Workforce development has always been a passion of Brough's and is why she is thrilled to be part of the CMU team.
Brough has also worked in the public sector serving as both the Director of Human Resources for the City of Denver as well as Chief of Staff for Mayor John Hickenlooper. As Chief of Staff, Brough oversaw a general fund budget of $857 million, leading a team of over 10,000 employees through the unprecedented budget cuts of the Great Recession. She negotiated contracts with police, deputy sheriffs and firefighter unions, reaching resolution with every contract. She also oversaw the City’s operations during the 2008 Democratic National Convention — a National Security Event.
This unique blend of experience makes Brough a naturally strategic thinker, master team builder, negotiator, partnership builder and convener. Brough has an MBA from the University of Colorado Denver and a BS from Montana State University. In her free time, you can find Brough outdoors — biking, hiking, skiing or paddling.
