February

Cathy Lucas named one of the 25 most powerful women in the state

Honor comes from the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

By Nathan Solheim

February 8, 2018

Cathy Lucas, MSU Denver’s vice president of strategy and chief of staff, has been named one of the top 25 most powerful women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.

The annual list, now in its sixth year, “celebrates and recognizes women who operate at the highest level of business performance and community leadership.”

As part of the distinction, Lucas will attend a gala this evening at the Grand Hyatt in downtown Denver alongside two dozen other prominent women from across the state.

“It is such an honor to be included in this group of successful women,” Lucas said.

Lucas was nominated for the list by MSU Denver alum Veronica Barela, CEO and president of the NEWSED community-development corporation, and Susan Powers, president of Urban Ventures, an urban redevelopment firm.

Lucas’ nomination cited numerous examples of her commitment to advance women in the workplace, help disadvantaged or underserved women and provide visionary leadership resulting in success. 

She led the University’s campaign to reposition itself as a university and fighting for inclusion of “Denver” in the name, over the objection of DU. She also guided the communication when the University took a very public lead in providing in-state tuition to undocumented students.

Over the last year, her team implemented a “brand journalism” approach to spread the University’s story through traditional and digital media. Last year, the Public Relations Society of America, Colorado Chapter, named Lucas “Public Relations Person of the Year.”

Women whose careers have bloomed under Lucas offered letters of support for the Women’s Chamber award. Tiffany Snell, University events and protocol manager, wrote that Lucas “has been a great mentor to me. Ever since I joined the marketing and communications team, she’s helped support my professional development and has pushed me to be my best.”

In Lucas’ role as vice president of strategy, she supports President Janine Davidson in achieving the University’s strategic initiatives, which includes issues as diverse as state funding and partnerships. She remains the university’s chief marketing and communication officer.