YouthBiz Positions to Expand Entrepreneurial-Based Programming with Hire of New Executive Director

MEDIA ADVISORY  |  FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

YouthBiz Positions to Expand Entrepreneurial-Based Programming with Hire of New Executive Director

DENVER, CO | YouthBiz, Inc., the Denver-based nonprofit organization that works to develop entrepreneurial young leaders, has announced Brandy Bertram as its new executive director.  Bertram is uniquely equipped to strengthen and expand YouthBiz’s programs that focus on developing entrepreneurial, educational and community leadership skills and attitudes among youth from Denver’s most economically and academically challenged neighborhoods.  “We are thrilled to have Brandy come on board for YouthBiz’s landmark twentieth year.  With her background in the financial and non-profit worlds, and her unwavering faith in the potential and abilities of every young person that walks through YouthBiz’s doors, Brandy is uniquely poised to support youth entrepreneurship, empowerment, and the programs of YouthBiz,” remarked Natalia Solis Ballinger, Chair of the YouthBiz Board of Directors and Associate at Greenberg Traurig.

Bertram’s resume boasts twelve years of cross-sector management and collaboration building; youth enterprise and financial education program implementation in urban, rural and international settings; and a strong record of financial oversight and revenue generation.  Bertram has served as Chief Operating Officer at Denver Venture School and Deputy Director at Micro Business Development.  She was also named on the Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 list (2007), was a member of the Downtown Denver Partnership’s Leadership Program (2009), served on the planning committee for the Friends of Micro Credit Denver Conference (2007-2008), and the annual conference training committee for the Associate for Enterprise Opportunity (2002-2007).  Prior to this appointment, Brandy served as the Director of Finance and Operations at Donelson, Ciancio and Goodwin, PC.

Fueled by a passion for equipping young entrepreneurs and leaders, Bertram looks forward to increasing organizational capacity to launch and support youth ventures, cultivate dynamic young leaders and build strategic partnerships that will support work throughout the larger community. “It is an honor to be chosen to lead this amazing organization, especially now. After twenty successful years, YouthBiz is taking an entrepreneurial leap in our programming that will increase scope, scale and impact of our services. I encourage everyone to visit our website and sign up for our newsletter – you don’t want to miss a minute of what we are up to in 2012!” Bertram shared.

YouthBiz advances the social and economic empowerment of youth through a focus on entrepreneurship, education and community leadership.  The organization has served over 4,500 youth from Denver’s most economically and academically challenged neighborhoods and invested over $1.4 million in the local economy through youth incentives and wages. For additional information, visit www.youthbiz.org.

CONTACTS

Cate Anderson  | Director of Marketing & Corporate Relations | 720.974.5103 | cate@youthbiz.org

Brandy Bertram | Executive Director | 720.974.5111 | brandy@youthbiz.org