Our Headlamp Highlights Shine a Light on the People and Organizations that Help our Cottonwood Community Thrive. Meet Board Member D’Andre.
We are excited to highlight our Cottonwood Institute (CI) Board Member, D’Andre Curtis, who previously served on the CI Board and is now back with us again. Read on to learn more about D’Andre!
Introduce yourself to the Cottonwood Community.
Hello! I’m D’Andre Curtis, an educator, researcher, and community advocate passionate about creating opportunities for young people to thrive. I grew up in Motown, Tempe, and ABQ, where I learned the importance of resilience, community, and giving back. My educational and professional journey has taken me through K-12 education, higher education, nonprofit leadership, and workforce development before ultimately bringing me to Colorado in 2015. Today, I call Denver home while continuing to work with scholars, colleagues, educators, and communities across the Southwest.
Where do you work, what do you do, and what is one thing you love about your job?
I serve as an educational leader at a digital infrastructure company called ESS Metron powered by RIOT! I am soooo grateful. Great culture, great work, and most importantly, great people! As a workforce development professional, I am also pursuing my doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies at the University of Denver. My work focuses on helping people discover their potential and creating systems that support learning, growth, and success.
What I love most is seeing transformation happen in real time. Whether it’s a person finding their passion, an employee building new skills, or a team overcoming challenges, I enjoy helping people realize what’s possible!
What drew you to Cottonwood Institute and inspired you to join the Board?
Cottonwood Institute combines many of my passions: youth development, STEM education, environmental stewardship, and community engagement. I believe some of the most meaningful learning happens outside traditional classroom walls, where young people can connect directly with nature, their communities, and themselves.
I joined the Board because I am inspired by Cottonwood’s commitment to empowering youth through place-based learning and leadership development. One of my goals is to help expand access to these transformative experiences, especially for historically underserved and underrepresented young people.
What do you like to do outside of serving on the Board?
When I’m not working or studying, you’ll usually find me exploring Colorado’s mountains via snowboard and traveling the world with my favorite littler person, my son! I enjoy golfing, traveling, sketching, the arts, and most importantly traveling throughout the Southwest, discovering new coffee shops, and reimagining beautiful designs. I also love mentoring scholars and learning from people’s stories and experiences.
Any fun facts or talents people may not know about you?
A fun fact is that in my career, not only did I work in Paris, France, but it has also spanned education, higher education, nonprofits, and technical workforce development, giving me a unique perspective on learning and leadership. I am also deeply interested in the stories of “At-Promise” scholars and the ways mentorship, hands-on learning, and community support can change lives!
Another thing people may not know is that I enjoy connecting with people and opportunities. Whether helping individuals find pathways to success, building partnerships between organizations, or introducing people with shared passions, I genuinely love bringing communities together around a common purpose.
Thanks to D’Andre and all of our Governing Board Members who help our Cottonwood Institute community thrive!
