Andrew Romanoff:

JD ’08, Sturm College of Law

Coloradans know Andrew Romanoff as the four-term legislator who served as speaker of the state’s House of Representatives and as the indefatigable campaigner who, in 2010, challenged incumbent Sen. Michael Bennet during the Democratic Party primary season. Romanoff’s expertise in government has been widely celebrated. He was named one of the most effective legislative leaders in America, and his work was honored by more than 50 state and national organizations. In addition, he has taught in Colorado and Central America, worked in Nigeria for the National Democratic Institute and served as a scholar in residence at the University of Colorado’s School of Public Affairs.

Today, Romanoff serves as senior adviser with International Development Enterprises, a Colorado-based nonprofit organization that strives to create income opportunities for poor rural families in developing countries. His most recent project, a center to house Colorado-based nonprofits focusing on international development, aims to enhance collaboration among agencies. Romanoff’s inspiration to help the poor came from his grandfather, who was a doctor and who visited 120 countries with Project Hope. “At the end of a day,” he said, “I want to be able to say I helped make somebody’s life a little better.”