Charles S. Gilford III is a proud Colorado native and servant leader of social change and
innovation. He formerly served as the Director Regional Affairs to Mayor Michael B. Hancock in
the City and County of Denver; his people centered non-traditional approach drove tangible
results, created access, and built an inclusive framework for the future; his scope included
being a bridge between the Executive Branch, Legislative Branch, and Denver Metro Regional
partners; additionally, his scope included driving projects that impacted $3.65B of capital
expenditures, equity projects, co-site Director for the COVID19 shelter operations, and served as the
Chair of the Mayor’s Faith Council in Denver. He has since transitioned to the private sector working for
Fortune #2 company Amazon as a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion talent professional. Additionally,
Charles serves on the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Board as a Gubernatorial appointee,
the 18th Judicial Performance Review Commission as a Gubernatorial appointee, serves on the Board for
Rocky Mountain PBS, the board for Cherry Creek Schools Foundation, is the first African American
appointed to the University of Colorado at Boulders Leadership Institute Advisory Board, serves on the
Board for Fully Liberated Youth, is an Associate Pastor for ONE at Potter’s House Church, is a Brother of
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc., and serves in other capacities in the community as well. Charles’ beloved
alma mater is the University of Colorado at Boulder where he studied Business Administration,
International Business, and Leadership where he also served as one of the youngest dually elected
Student Body President’s. Most importantly, Charles is a proud husband to Rikki and father to a precious
little girl Liliana “Lily” and precious son Charles IV. His interests and hobbies include listening to
Presidential Primaries, reading, learning foreign languages, and volunteering on ranches working with horses.