Economic Summit

AICP​, Principal, Urban3

Joe Minicozzi is an urban planner imagining new ways to think about and visualize land use, urban design, and economics. Joe founded Urban3 to explain and visualize market dynamics created by tax and land use policies. Urban3's work establishes new conversations across multiple professional sectors, policy makers, and the public to creatively address the challenges of urbanization. Urban3’s extensive studies range geographically over 30 states, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Joe holds a Bachelor of Architecture from the University of Miami and Master of Architecture and Urban Design from Harvard University. In 2017, Joe was recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential Urbanists of all time.

Executive Director, Business Research Division, Leeds School of Business, University of CO Boulder 

Brian Lewandowski provides regional business and economic information and education, including economic and revenue forecasts, policy studies, economic impact analyses, and data workshops. Brian has 15 years’ experience conducting economic studies at CU Boulder. Prior to CU, he worked in both the private sector and government. He is past president of the Denver Association of Business Economists.

AICP, Executive Director, Yampa Valley Housing Authority 

Jason Peasley is a Certified Planner who has transitioned from community planning into affordable housing management and development. Jason’s experience includes facilitating local community engagement, housing development, development finance, entitlements, tax credit underwriting, asset management, and operations in the public sector. Jason is passionate about building community through community engagement, collaboration, and partnerships. Under his leadership, Yampa Valley Housing Authority has developed 285 affordable housing units by leveraging public/private partnerships, totaling $100M in development activity. Jason is responsible for organization-wide strategic planning, resource allocation, risk management, organizational growth, and developing strategic partnerships. Jason now leads YVHA’s effort to vision, entitle and develop a 536-acre master planned community, made possible by a $24M private donation and land acquisition.

Associate Director of Workforce Strategies & Economic Opportunity Program, The Aspen Institute

Jenny Weissbourd’s work focuses on improving economic mobility and job quality for low- and moderate-income workers. She leads applied research and capacity building projects that support the development of innovative approaches to improving jobs and economic opportunities. Jenny is the author of numerous publications and is a regular public speaker on workforce issues.

Previously, Jenny managed strategy and development at The Food Trust, guiding the development of new programs focused on improving public health and spurring inclusive economic growth. As a consultant at Fairmount Ventures, she built the capacity of nonprofit and government clients. As a graduate student, Jenny worked with faculty at MIT’s Institute for Work and Employment Research to research labor policy, business operations to improve job quality, and worker voice and organizing in the 21st century economy. She also served as a Dukakis Policy Fellow for Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo, and an intern in Amazon’s Retail Leadership Development Program. Jenny holds an MBA from MIT and an MPA from Harvard, where she was a fellow at the Center for Public Leadership and an editor of the LGBTQ Policy Journal.

Business Services Coordinator, Colorado Department of Labor & Employment

Carolyn Tucker provides labor market information, business education opportunities and other support services to the business communities in Garfield, Pitkin, and Western Eagle Counties.

Carolyn shares her strategic communication, community development and business acumen with employers large and small, drawing from her past work with Steamboat Resort, Starwood Hotels, Colorado Mountain College, Denver Nuggets/Colorado Avalanche, Tri-State and Shell.  She holds an Environmental Biology undergraduate degree from the University of California at Santa Barbara, a master’s degree in Communication from DU, and is a Certified Workforce Development Professional.

Managing Director, Colorado Workforce Development Council

Lee Wheeler-Berliner leads the execution of strategies to enhance an industry-led talent development system in Colorado. By forging relationships with industry and public partners at the local and state level, Lee helps to ensure the alignment of talent development efforts statewide. Lee has been with the CWDC since 2014 and brings extensive project management and leadership experience to this role. He previously worked as an independent consultant for mission-driven for-profit and nonprofit entities, as well as holding senior leadership positions with Hunger Free Colorado and Colorado Court Appointed Special Advocates. Lee holds an MBA with a concentration in social entrepreneurship from the Fuqua School of Business at Duke University and is an active coffee drinker at his local Edgewater coffee shop.