Since 2023, the School of Public Affairs (SPA) has strengthened the University of Colorado Denver’s collaboration with Denver International Airport (DEN) through a leadership training initiative designed to equip airport employees with critical skills needed for the future of aviation. The program, known as the Center of Equity and Excellence in Aviation (CEEA): Leadership DEN Program, reflects a shared commitment to local workforce development, leadership excellence, and the long-term success of one of the nation’s busiest airports.

The LeadershipDEN program is led by Lisa VanRaemdonck, MSW, MPH, SPA’s Executive Director of Outreach, Partnerships & Professional Learning. Over the past several years, VanRaemdonck has worked closely with DEN to design and refine the program, which now operates under a multi-year contract. The current Leadership DEN Cohort launched with nearly 30 participants in September, and additional custom programming is in the planning stage.

“Our partnership with the CEEA team at DEN is deeply aligned on core values to support local leadership development and provide impactful education opportunities throughout someone’s career,” said VanRaemdonck. “We thrive on creating learning spaces, with people in complex public service roles, where the insights and professional growth are immediately useful in their work.”

Building Leadership for a Growing Airport

The program aligns with DEN’s ambitious Vision 100 initiative, which outlines a strategic path for the airport to reach 100 million annual passengers. A central pillar of Vision 100, Empowering Our People, underscores the importance of cultivating a highly skilled and adaptable workforce capable of supporting continued growth.

LeadershipDEN targets that need directly by offering a comprehensive leadership development experience for City and County of Denver employees working at the airport, a workforce that includes approximately 1,400 individuals.

Through a cohort-based curriculum, participants explore leadership principles, systems thinking, emotional intelligence, and the interconnected operations that keep one of the nation's busiest airports running effectively.

A Model for Workforce Development Partnerships

The collaboration between SPA and DEN demonstrates how partnerships between higher education institutions and public sector organizations can support workforce development and organizational growth. In addition to the current LeadershipDEN cohort, SPA and DEN are exploring additional custom programming to expand leadership development opportunities across the airport workforce.

The LeadershipDEN program is one example of SPA's broader commitment to designing customized learning experiences for public and nonprofit organizations. In addition to tailored programs for individual employers, SPA offers established leadership pathways such as the Colorado Certified Public Manager (CPM) program, helping organizations strengthen leadership capacity while addressing their unique operational needs and strategic goals.

Looking Ahead

As DEN continues to grow under Vision 100, the LeadershipDEN program reflects a shared commitment to developing the people who make that growth possible. Through this partnership, SPA and DEN are helping prepare current and emerging leaders to support the airport's future while strengthening one of Colorado's most important public institutions.

Photograph provided courtesy of Denver International Airport.