As I near the end of my term as chair of the Colorado College Board of Trustees, I want to thank you for the opportunity to serve CC in this role. It has been an honor to work alongside my fellow trustees, faculty, staff, students, and alumni over the past four years to elevate the CC experience and endorse the enduring value of the liberal arts.
Vice Chair Ryan Haygood ‘97 and Secretary Heather Carroll ‘89 will also be completing their terms June 30, and I want to thank them for their leadership and dedication to the College.
When I began as chair in 2021, the College was emerging from the pandemic and nearing the finish line of its most ambitious fundraising venture in history — the $478M Building on Originality campaign. Since that time, we have seen Ed Robson Arena become a vibrant hub for home hockey games, campus gatherings, Colorado Springs community events, and national and international sporting competitions. We have navigated leadership changes, with the board playing a steadying role in guiding the College through presidential as well as cabinet-level transitions.
As a college community, we expanded mental health and wellness resources for students, faculty, and staff; put our antiracism commitment into action with an Antiracism Implementation Plan; and nurtured key access and affordability programs like the Colorado Pledge. This past fall, we commemorated CC’s 150th anniversary with a record-breaking Homecoming celebration — and the College is now poised to enter our next chapter.
At our February meeting, the board elected new officers for two-year terms beginning July 1, 2025. I am pleased to share that Kyle Samuel ’92 will be taking the helm as Board Chair.
Kyle’s commitment to CC, background in the financial industry, and expertise in strategic leadership make him exceptionally well-suited to lead the board in the years ahead. An experienced executive leader currently residing in Washington, D.C., his career spans more than 30 years in insurance, risk management, and financial services. He currently serves as Chief Operating Officer for Alera Group, Inc., and has held leadership roles at McGriff, Aon, Chubb, M&T Bank, and Wells Fargo.
Kyle has been deeply engaged with the College as an alumnus, previously serving as President of the Colorado College Alumni Association Council. He has been a member of the Board of Trustees since 2019 and currently chairs the board’s Governance Committee.
“My experience at CC was transformational, and I am passionate about ensuring that the College remains accessible and relevant to today’s students,” Kyle says. “I look forward to collaborating with our Trustees, Interim President Whitaker, as well as our campus and alumni communities to build upon CC’s strengths to maintain a sustainable future.”
Amy Shackelford Louis ’84, who currently chairs the board’s Buildings, Grounds, and Infrastructure Committee, will serve as Vice Chair. Lauren Watel ’07, current chair of the Budget and Finance Committee, will serve as Secretary.
Kyle, Amy, and Lauren have each shown great dedication to the board to date, and they will bring valuable insights and expertise to their officer roles. Ryan, Heather, and I will remain on the board as we complete our terms as charter trustees. We look forward to continuing to serve this college that has shaped each of us so deeply.
With gratitude,
