The Larger Vision

Our Mission: The Denver ESE Collective connects, supports, and elevates Denver's employment social enterprises, helping these mission-driven businesses grow and expanding access to quality jobs for people facing barriers to employment.

We envision a Denver where a good job is within reach of everyone, no matter their past, and where business that builds people up is simply how business is done.

In this future:

• ESEs are strong, sustainable businesses serving more and more people across the city.

• Workers have access to paid pathways that lead to long-term stability.

• Public and private partners engage ESEs as preferred vendors and workforce partners.

By investing in the ecosystem itself, we can increase the return on existing workforce efforts and create a beautiful reality that strengthens both people and businesses.

Collective Leadership

The Collective is co-led by Andy Magel and Steph Frances, experienced employment social enterprise founders and practitioners with deep roots in Denver and a love for the people and the work in the ESE space.

Their role is straightforward: amplify and grow what is working, support leaders navigating complex operations, and help the ecosystem rise together all for the purpose of creating more work opportunities in our community. Steph and Andy draw both inspiration and ongoing support from Redefine Alliance and others around the country who have been leading this work for a long time.