1. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 2, 2015
Contact:
Danielle Mellema, 303-620-8078
Colorado State University’s Lucas Suazo named Student Leader of
the Year
DENVER– The Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation, in partnership with the Boettcher
Foundation, named Lucas Suazo the Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA) 2015 Student Leader of the Year
at the CLA Summit on Saturday. Suazo is a junior at Colorado State University. A student in the
President’s Leadership Program, he is studying chemical and biological engineering and biomedical
engineering.
What are the Colorado Leadership Alliance and the Student Leader of the Year award?
The Colorado Leadership Alliance (CLA), a program of the Leadership Foundation, unites undergraduate
students participating in leadership training programs from 13 college and university campuses across
Colorado. Since 2009, the Leadership Foundation and the Boettcher Foundation have partnered to
select a Student Leader of the Year from a CLA member college or university who shows exceptional
leadership and service in the classroom, on campus and in the community.
Why was Suazo selected as the 2015 Student Leader of the Year?
 An accomplished scholar, Suazo is majoring in chemical and biological engineering and
biomedical engineering, minoring in interdisciplinary leadership studies, and is a published
researcher.
 As a part of his involvement in the President’s Leaders Program, Suazo organized a STEM
education experience for La Familia.
 Suazo serves as a resource to educate students about sexual violence and assault prevention as
a Greeks Against Sexual Assault representative.
 Diagnosed with Crohn’s disease, a chronic autoimmune condition, in his sophomore year, Suazo
founded the Chronic Health Mentoring Program and counsels first-year undergraduate students
in the management of a chronic condition while transitioning to college.
Quotes about/from Lucas
“Lucas is the type of leader who doesn’t use his voice to lead—he leads by example,” said Katie Kramer,
executive director of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation.
“Character should be authentic all the time, no matter who’s watching, or what situation you’re in,” said
Suazo.
About the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation

2. An affiliate organization of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro Chamber
Leadership Foundation provides content, context and access to inspire leaders to engage in issues
critical to the region’s success. The Leadership Foundation encourages community and civic trusteeship
through a continuum of leadership programs, including Leadership Denver, Access Denver, Leadership
Exchange, Impact Denver, Colorado Experience, the Leadership Alumni Network and the Colorado
Leadership Alliance. For more information, visit denverleadership.org.
About the Boettcher Foundation
Founded by the Boettcher family in 1937 to effectively assist, encourage and promote a better quality of
life for the citizens of Colorado, the Boettcher Foundation invests in “minds and mortar:” education,
community services, health care and art and culture through merit awards, scholarships and capital
grants. Over the past 75 years, the foundation has awarded more than $300 million to the people of
Colorado. For more information, visit boettcherfoundation.org.
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