CWCC Honors Bruce Alexander with the 2026 Ally Award
The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) is proud to announce Bruce Alexander, former President and CEO of Vectra Bank Colorado, as the recipient of the 2026 CWCC Ally Award, presented by the Community College of Denver Foundation. The 2nd Annual CWCC Ally Award honors a leader who uses his influence, resources, and voice to open doors for women in business, and who has done it consistently over time.
For Bruce, this recognition is a homecoming of sorts. In 2019, the CWCC named him an Individual Champion of Change for his work advancing women at Vectra Bank. Seven years later, his commitment hasn’t wavered.
A Leader Who Models True Allyship
Bruce led Vectra Bank Colorado for 25 years, from 2000 until his retirement in 2025, growing the bank from $1 billion to $4 billion in assets. Along the way, he built a culture where women didn’t just work at the bank. They led it.
He made listening a habit, hosting regular CEO luncheons and branch visits to hear directly from employees. At one of those luncheons, he gathered women leaders to talk about mentoring, professional development, and the challenges they faced. That conversation sparked VectraWomen in 2013, an employee network offering networking, professional development, and community to women at every level of the bank. A formal mentoring program followed, pairing women new to financial services with senior women leaders.
Under his leadership, Vectra reviewed its benefits and compensation every year for gender equity and actively sought out women for promotion. By 2019, women made up 67% of the bank’s workforce and held five of the eight seats on its Executive Committee.
A Legacy of Service and Impact
A fifth-generation Coloradan, Bruce has spent his career strengthening the communities he serves. Before Vectra, he led the Denver Urban Renewal Authority. He has chaired the Downtown Denver Partnership, Denver Health and Hospital Authority, the Colorado Association of Commerce and Industry, and the Colorado Bankers Association, and was twice appointed a director of the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City. He has also served on the boards of Visit Denver, the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, The Nature Conservancy in Colorado, and the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
He has stayed close to the CWCC, too, returning to moderate the Champions of Change panel discussion with the honorees.
A Message from CWCC CEO Simone D. Morrison
“Bruce Alexander’s allyship has a track record that spans decades. He listened to the women on his team, then acted on what he heard: in pay reviews, in promotions, and in who sat at the executive table. We’re proud to honor him with the 2026 Ally Award.”
— Simone D. Morrison, CEO, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Celebrating at the ATHENA Leadership Awards Brunch
Join us as we honor Bruce at the CWCC ATHENA Leadership Awards Brunch, alongside 2026 ATHENA Leadership Award winner Rose Andom.
Wednesday, December 9 | 10:30 a.m.–1:00 p.m. | Asterisk Denver
Reserve your seat | Explore sponsorship opportunities
Watch: Bruce Alexander, 2019 Champion of Change
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