Leveraging our public wealth for shared prosperity.
In its 19th year, the Alliance Summit returns on September 10, 2026 with a focus on Fueling Our Economy—exploring how public wealth, local assets, and collective leadership can drive shared prosperity across the Four Corners region. The 2026 Summit will bring regional leaders together to examine how land, people, infrastructure, entrepreneurship, and investment shape a resilient local economy, and how communities can intentionally leverage what they already have to build what comes next.
2026 Summit Agenda | September 10th, 2026
| 8:00 – 8:30 | Check-In and Breakfast presented by Katz School of Business | |||
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| 8:30 – 8:40 | Welcome and Opening Remarks powered by SEH, inc. | |||
| 8:40 – 9:30 | Neal Marquez, PhD MPH | Colorado Demography Office presented by StoneAge | |||
| 9:40 – 10:25 | Morning Breakout Sessions presented by LPEA | |||
| Investing in Emerging Leadership – Sarah Tober, La Plata Economic Development Alliance; Libby Baumchen, Project RUN Leveraging Public Debt for Community Development – José Madrigal, City of Durango Pedaling the Economy Forward – Gaige Sippy, Durango 2030 | Nonprofits as Economic Engines – Katy Pepinsky, ThinkSharp; Adrea Bogle, Luminary Consulting The Homegrown Advantage: Using Regional Assets to Help Local Companies Last – Heather Otter, SCAPE | |||
| 10:35 – 11:20 | Morning Breakouts Cont. presented by CommonSpirit Mercy | |||
| Regional Solutions for Workforce Housing: A Bipartisan Approach– Emily Lashbrooke, Pagosa Springs Community Development Corporation; Matt Salka, La Plata County Commissioner; Warren Brown, Archuleta County Commissioner Powering our Local Economy – Chris Hansen, LPEA; John Blais, Ballantine Communications; Ken Stone, Durango Hot Springs; Kris Oyler, Peak Food & Beverage | Collaboration and Resilience: Building Stronger Together – Jamie Church, Farmington Chamber of Commerce; Jeff Dupont, Durango Chamber of Commerce; Kira Taylor, Mancos Valley Chamber of Commerce; Sandy Douthey, Pagosa Springs Chamber of Commerce Rural Lending Options Fueling Rural Growth: Smart Financing for Land, Housing & Agriculture – Terry Jefferies, American AG Credit; Jason Quintana, Rural 1st; Kelli Stanley, The Wells Group of Durango | |||
| 11:25 – 11:50 | Lunch presented by Vectra Bank | |||
| 12:00 – 12:50 | Kyla Scanlon | Economy Through the Eyes of Next Generation presented by Leavitt Group | |||
| 1:00 – 1:50 | Theo Wilson | Our Public Wealth presented by First Southwest Bank | |||
| 2:00 – 2:45 | Afternoon Breakout Sessions presented by The Payroll Department | |||
| Harnessing the Power of the Honey Badgers – Dr. Karen Cheser, Durango School District Building an Inclusive Workforce Through Disability Hiring and Training – Kristin Dallison Fueling What Comes Next: Leveraging the San Juan Basin – Michelina Paulek, The Energy Council | The Findings: Colorado’s Comprehensive Economic Development Study – State of Colorado OEDIT The Impact of Employee Ownership – Eric Guttormson, First Southwest Bank; John Shaw, Shaw Solar; Turner Wyatt, Small Capital (Bonny Kent) | |||
| 2:55 – 3:45 | Economic Impact Spotlights presented by Colorado Health Foundation | |||
| CommonSpirit Mercy | Agile Space Chris Pearson | Durango Silverton Narrow Gauge RR John Harper | ||
| 3:45 – 3:55 | Closing Remarks | |||
| 4:00 – 5:00 | Happy Hour presented by Psyche Digital | |||
Our Sponsors
Alpine Bank
Durango Chamber of Commerce
Coca Cola Durango
Colorado OEDIT
City of Durango
Durango-La Plata County Airport
Elizabeth Howe & Associates
Pueblo Community College Southwest
Purgatory Resort
Region 9
RMW/Tafoya Barrett & Associates
Shaw Solar
The Wells Group
2026 Keynote Speakers
Neal Marquez, PhD MPH
Colorado State Demographer
Neal Marquez (he/him) serves as the State Demographer with the State Demography Office at DOLA, where he analyzes Colorado’s changing population dynamics and develops projections that guide infrastructure, housing, workforce, and economic planning across the state. His work informs state and local leaders on how demographic trends shape communities and inform place-based strategies tailored to the unique needs and opportunities of regions throughout Colorado.
Neal holds a Ph.D. in Sociology and a Master of Public Health from the University of Washington, with a focus on statistical methods and migration. Prior to joining DOLA, he worked with state and local governments, nonprofits, and research organizations conducting demographic analysis and applied research to support community planning and long-term development initiatives.
Kyla Scanlon
Author & Financial Educator
Kyla Scanlon is a financial educator, writer, and economic commentator with more than one million followers across social platforms. She is known for making complex economic ideas clear and meaningful for a new generation.
Through her signature mix of analysis and storytelling, Scanlon covers the pressing issues of the day—from tariffs and artificial intelligence to the value of higher education and Gen Z’s evolving role in the economy. Her debut book, In This Economy? How Money and Markets Really Work, Kyla coined the term “vibecession” to describe the gap between strong economic indicators and public sentiment.
Kyla’s insights have been featured by The New York Times, Financial Times, Bloomberg, and The Wall Street Journal, among others. She was recently named to Barron’s list of the 100 Most Influential Women in U.S. Finance and recognized by MarketWatch as one of the 50 Most Influential People in Markets.
Theo Wilson
Author & CNN Commentator
Theo Wilson is an award-winning speaker, poet, and community leader based in Denver, Colorado. He is a founding member of the Denver Slam Nuba team, winners of the National Poetry Slam — the world’s largest slam poetry competition. Theo began his speaking career in the N.A.A.C.P. at age 15 and has since built a national platform grounded in lived experience and community activism.
Through powerful storytelling, Theo connects housing inequality, redlining, and the erosion of public wealth to today’s widening economic gaps. He challenges leaders to examine how systems shape opportunity and how bold, collective action can build a more equitable economy rooted in shared prosperity.
Theo is the host of The History Channel’s series, “I Was There.” He has been featured on Good Morning America, BuzzFeed, CNN, Good Day Canada, and TV One.
Sponsorship Opportunities Available
Now in its 19th year, the Alliance Summit is the Four Corners’ signature gathering for leaders shaping the future of our regional economy. Each year, attendees representing business, nonprofit, tribal, and public sectors come together to turn shared priorities in housing, workforce, childcare, and development into real momentum. The event generates measurable economic impact with 62% of expenses spent with local businesses and 83% of attendees reporting they have made a new, valuable connection at the event.
By becoming a Summit sponsor, you invest in real regional impact while gaining visibility with the Four Corners’ most engaged leaders. Learn more by clicking the link below.
