Biographies

Wayne Kimball Jr.

Head of AI Strategy & Operations, Google Cloud at Google

Wayne Kimball, Jr., currently serves as Principal for Google Cloud’s Go-to-Market Strategy and Mergers & Acquisitions business. He is also the founder and global leader of Google’s TechAMPLIFY, an initiative to accelerate the growth and sustainability of traditionally untapped, diverse startups. Kimball previously served in corporate strategy leadership roles at Accenture and the ActOne Group, and specializes in business strategy and enterprise transformation. He is also an investor, startup advisor, and independent board director.

Passionate about the landscape of education and eradicating poverty through access, exposure and opportunity, Kimball currently serves on the Board of Trustees for the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM), Board of Directors for Christel House International (global charter school network), and Board of Directors for Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., in which he is a life member and Vice President of the Western Region. He formerly served on the NCSSM Foundation Board, NC A&T State University Board of Trustees, and as Vice Chair of the Alumni Association Board of Directors.

Kimball earned his MBA in International Business at Loyola University Chicago – Quinlan School of Business and his bachelors in Civil Engineering at North Carolina A&T State University. He lives in Los Angeles, CA with his wife, Savannah.

Dr. Fernando Branch

Principal of Robert F. Smith STEAM Academy

Dr. Fernando Branch received his Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (HBCU) and later pursued his M.A. Ed. from Union University. He began his career in education, teaching high school AP Geography, World History and Economics for 10 years in Memphis, Tennessee. He began his school leadership journey as a school administrator, focusing on school turnaround efforts in Denver Public Schools for over ten years serving in every region of our community.    

While in DPS, Dr. Branch has served on several Denver Public School committees:  District Accountability Committee, District Design Committee for the 1st Annual MLK Symposium, and the African American Equity Task Force. Dr. Branch has assisted Denver Public Schools with attracting and retaining people of color, consequently, has assisted the Human Resources Department with efforts to help the district recruit diverse, talented principals, teachers, and support staff. At the school level, Dr. Branch championed community, equality, and diversity for all students and staff. Dr. Branch has a long history of promoting educational/academic excellence and attainment in Denver youth and higher education institutions, as well as in the nonprofit space, spending time at College Track – Aurora and Colorado “I Have a Dream” Foundation.  

Dr. Branch has concentrated his studies in Education, Leadership, and Policy to close the opportunity gap in marginalized communities. Dr. Branch is ambitious to discover innovative solutions to create an equitable approach toward educational policymaking for youth all over Colorado, from rural communities to urban centers. He continues to stand ready to explore new partnerships and growth opportunities in the Denver metro area and across Colorado while at the same time maintaining high expectations for our students, families, and community partners. Dr. Branch is a strategic thinker, passionate about working alongside youth and families to ensure they have the resources and skills to succeed throughout their lives. He believes we can change the world with a shared voice/vision. He is committed to instilling a love for education in our youth as he sees that as the cornerstone for generational change, social mobility, and community empowerment.   

When Fernando is not doing this work, you can find him beekeeping, painting, fishing, and spending time with his wife and two daughters.

Vu Tran

Director of Capital Markets at Fund Launch Partners

Vu is a seasoned Fund Manager and Director of Capital Markets at Fund Launch Partners with over two decades of diverse experience in business development, real estate, and entrepreneurship. His impressive military service includes 9 years in aeronautical supply chain management and logistics, earning him Lean Six Sigma certification and 5 Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals for transformative leadership. Vu’s real estate investments span 6 years, covering various projects from single and multi-family homes to commercial properties. 

As an entrepreneur for over a decade, Vu has engaged in ventures ranging from imports/exports to construction and franchising, showcasing his versatile understanding of multiple industries. His strategic role in expanding Colorado’s restaurant scene reflects an operations-centric approach, contributing to the state’s vibrant culinary landscape.  

With a commitment to generational wealth, Vu started and managed a family office overseeing $30 million in assets, demonstrating his expertise in high-stakes financial stewardship and investment strategy. A sought-after speaker, he has shared insights on business strategy, deal-making, personal branding, and launching and growing various investment funds on over 50 stages. His consulting expertise has impacted over 1,000 businesses across diverse industries. 

Beyond his professional pursuits, Vu serves as a board member of GlobalMindED, a non-profit fostering equity, opportunity, and diversity inclusion. Grounded in a passion for entrepreneurship, Vu mentors and coaches, empowering others with the knowledge and skills to craft their success stories. 

Dallas Davis

Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Recruiting at Colorado Rockies

Dallas Davis, in his 17th season with the Colorado Rockies Baseball Club, serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Recruiting. He spearheads the development and implementation of the organization’s DEI framework and recruitment programs. Formerly the Director of Community Affairs for the Rockies, Dallas led various community programs and projects. He has spoken to over 200,000 students on topics such as drug and alcohol abuse awareness, education, literacy, citizenship, and character.

With a professional background in college and professional sports and the non-profit sector, Dallas has been involved in major events, including the 2021 MLB All-Star Week and the 2007 MLB World Series. He is driven by leadership, with experience ranging from professional and life situations to formal training through programs like the Downtown Denver Partnership Leadership Program and Chamber Connect Leadership Program. 

Before joining the Rockies, Dallas worked with the Orange Bowl Committee in Miami. A Fort Collins native and graduate of Fort Collins High School, he attended Colorado State University, earning degrees in Animal Science and Zoology. As a Captain of the football team, he received All-Conference honors as a Wide Receiver and Punt Returner. Dallas values integrity, diversity, and hard work. Currently residing in Aurora with his wife Brandy and daughters Sadé, Selah, and Leera, he brings a wealth of experience and commitment to his role with the Rockies. 

Albert Gutierrez

President of Bud and Mary’s Cannabis

Albert, a Denver native, is a results-driven executive with expertise in program and portfolio management. As an Agile Certified Practitioner, Certified Scrum Master, Agile Coach, and Certified Scrum Product Owner, he applies his extensive knowledge to lead teams effectively in achieving company goals.  

Recognized as a top 100 C-Level Executive in Colorado by The Titan100 Program in 2021 and 2023, Albert played a pivotal role in MedPharm’s acquisition of GMP and GAP certifications, securing State and Federal approval for the first Colorado Cannabis Research Licenses. Under his strategic vision, the company has seen consistent revenue growth of 36% year over year since its inception in 2018, with its brands dominating the #1 selling cartridges and tinctures in Colorado and Iowa markets. 

Albert’s successful track record extends to various companies, including ClickFox, The Regis Company, Qualvu, CBDDOSE.com, HealthGrades.com, and Medicine Man. With a B.S. from Metro State University and a graduate degree from Colorado State University Business School, Albert has effectively managed multi-million-dollar projects for prominent organizations like Visa, MasterCard, Google, Ernst & Young, Deloitte, Accenture, AT&T, Verizon, John Deere, and Bose. 

Dr. Rashad Anderson

Director of Call Me Mister & Associate Professor of Teacher Education at MSU Denver

Dr. Rashad Anderson serves in dual roles as both a Director & Associate Professor in the esteemed School of Education at Metropolitan State University of Denver and as the National Expansion Coordinator for the highly acclaimed Call Me MiSTER Teacher Leadership Program, which focuses on recruiting, cultivating, and retaining African American male educators.  

Dr. Anderson’s academic journey began with a B.S. in Music Education from SC State University, followed by a Master’s in Education from the University of South Carolina. His passion for finding solutions and driving change led him to pursue a Ph.D. in Educational Foundations and Inquiry at the University of South Carolina, where his research centers around school discipline and social justice issues in education, including racial, gender, and class oppression. 

A celebrated author, Dr. Anderson is the mind behind the influential book “Wassup with all the Black Boys Sitting in the Principal’s Office,” published in 2019, followed by “Doing Something About It! A Guide to Building a School-Based Mentoring Program” in 2020. 

As a highly sought-after speaker and consultant, Dr. Anderson has shared his expertise at over 100 state, national, and international education conferences. His reputation as a thought leader even earned him the distinction of being the keynote speaker at the United States Department of Education in 2019 in Washington, D.C. 

Throughout his career, Dr. Anderson has received numerous accolades, including the prestigious Call Me MiSTER Trailblazer award, the SC Black Male Achievement Man of the Year award, and being recognized as a three-time Professor of the Year at SC State University. 

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Dr. Anderson actively engages in several notable organizations, such as Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Fraternity, Inc., Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and the Colorado Men of Color Collaborative. His commitment to education, equity, and nurturing the next generation of leaders remains unwavering.