By Whitney Holman
In October, a key milestone was reached in our commitment to cultivating a top-tier workforce: the inaugural meeting of the Employee Advisory Board. Built on the belief that our future success is directly tied to the invaluable insights of current leaders, this event brought together employers from the CrossPurpose Employer Network, and the discussion successfully established a direct and collaborative partnership with the CrossPurpose Career Advancement team. This marks the beginning of a sustained effort to gain essential, firsthand input on how CrossPurpose can collectively train and develop top talent.
The initiative is dedicated to building employer-driven, livable-wage career pathways by partnering directly with employers to co-design training and hiring pipelines for Denver’s workforce. The ultimate goal is to generate diverse voices, powerful solutions, and brighter futures.
The value of this direct collaboration was immediately clear to attendees. Christina Aragon of Intermountain Health noted that she found the discussion incredibly valuable. “The exchange of ideas and perspectives offered by other employers provided meaningful insights that will help inform and strengthen our ongoing efforts to create a lasting impact for the Leaders and their families.”
This comprehensive approach, training not just technical skills but also focusing on personal development, impressed the board members. Rommel Victoria of First Bank commented: “I am so highly impressed with the comprehensive approach that CrossPurpose utilizes in training and preparing its Leaders for employment and beyond. Not only technical training but personal development as well.”
Not only did our employer partners find benefits in the inaugural Employer Advisory Board meeting, members of the CrossPurpose team emphasized both the quality of the leaders and the potential for curriculum enhancement. Rynn Sango, a CrossPurpose Site Director, shared, “It was great to hear from employers about both the strengths and areas of growth they’ve seen in leaders past and present. The conversation around workplace trends and future goals was especially helpful. As a Site Director, I left excited about how this space is building trust and deepening partnerships with our employers.”
Ultimately, the inaugural Employer Advisory Board meeting successfully established a vital feedback loop, confirming the strength of CrossPurpose’s holistic training model while providing clear direction for future curriculum expansion in personal and professional development. This collaborative effort with engaged employer partners—focused on real-market trends and commitment to livable wages—is the essential catalyst for ensuring Leaders not only secure employment but build sustainable, forward-looking career pathways that drive economic mobility and transformation across the community.