Get to Know: January Luncheon Speaker, Dorothy Horrell, PhD, Chancellor, University of Colorado Denver

We are looking forward to having Dorothy Horrell, PhD, Chancellor, University of Colorado Denver as our featured speaker for this month’s downtown luncheon. Dorothy was appointed to the CU Denver chancellor position in September 2015 and assumed her duties in January 2016.

A recognized leader in higher education, she received a gubernatorial appointment to the Colorado State University System Board of Governors in 2009 and served as board chair from 2013-15. She was president of the Colorado Community College System, the state’s largest higher education system, from 1998-2000 and was president of Red Rocks Community College from 1989-1998. She previously held several positions in the community college system, including vice president for educational services and director of the occupational education division.

Dr. Horrell served from 2001-2013 as president and CEO of the Bonfils-Stanton Foundation, Colorado’s leading foundation supporting the arts and nonprofit leadership.

Her community involvement includes having been a founding member of the Boards of Arrupe Jesuit High School (2003-2011) and Clyfford Still Museum (2005-2013); chair of the Board of the Colorado Association of Funders (2009); member of the Governor’s P-20 Education Council (2007-2011); member of the Denver Commission to End Homelessness (2004-2012); and co-chair of the Commission on the Reform of Denver’s High Schools (2004-2005).  In addition, she served on the boards of the Exempla Healthcare System, First National Bank of Colorado, West Chamber of Commerce Serving Jefferson County, Young Americans Bank and Jefferson Economic Council.

She has received the following honors:  Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, Top 25 Most Powerful Women; Colorado 4-H Hall of Fame; Public Education and Business Coalition, Investing in Education Award; Progressive 15 Alumni of the Plains; Colorado State University College of Applied Human Sciences Distinguished Alumna; and Mile High Council of Girl Scouts Woman of Distinction.

Dr. Horrell earned her bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees from Colorado State University.​

January’s theme is mentoring, and we thought we’d ask Dorothy a couple of fun questions about her experience and career to get to know her better and understand how mentoring has helped shaped her personally and professionally. Don’t miss your chance to hear from Dorothy personally – reserve your spot for the luncheon now!

In your view, what value does the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce offer the community of Denver?

The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce is a wonderful networking opportunity for Colorado business women to share ideas and offer support to each other, keep updated on issues of interest, and highlight the diverse and significant contributions of women business leaders who are a growing and vital force in the state’s economy.

The CWCC theme for the month of January is “Mentoring.” Can you speak to what this means to you and how you implement it in your daily life? (i.e. who has been a mentor to you, who have you mentored?)

I have always subscribed to the philosophy of “paying it forward.” Each of us stands on the shoulders of giants—people who have helped pave the way and made more possible for us. In turn, we have the obligation and the opportunity to be available to others by offering a listening ear and a helping hand. I find the old adage to be true: “People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care.”

In 150 words, tell us about yourself.

Here are a few of my favorite things:
Pastime—spending time with my family, especially my 4-year-old granddaughter, Ailie
Dessert—homemade chocolate chip cookies
Vacation spot—in Colorado: the Broadmoor; internationally: Paris
Book: Water for Elephants
Author: John Grisham
Song: “That’s What Friends Are For” sung by Dionne Warwick
Movie: Pretty Woman
Hobby: Cooking and Travelling
Holiday: St. Patrick’s Day
Indulgence: Fresh flowers
Dance: Jitterbug
Saying: “From the day of your birth ‘til you ride in a hearse, nothing’s ever so bad that it couldn’t be worse!”
Sports team: Denver Broncos
Drink: Gin and tonic
Television show: Blue Bloods and Sunday Morning
Color: Purple
Signature item: Unique jewelry
Actress: Meryl Streep
Actor: Pierce Brosnan
Local Restaurant: ChoLon
Spice: Curry
Memory: my husband and daughter dancing at her wedding
Piece of advice: “To thine own self be true”