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.
Call for Sponsors
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. Sponsorships are going fast! Contact Louise Snodgrass at louise@yeslpc.com to support this year’s event.
Our Sponsors
Durango Chamber of Commerce
City of Durango
Durango-La Plata County Airport
Elizabeth Howe & Associates
Pueblo Community College Southwest
Purgatory Resort
Region 9
RMW/Tafoya Barrett & Associates
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.
