In the bustling heart of Denver, there exists a visionary leader whose innovative approach transforms the landscape of early childhood education. Meet Elsa Holguín, President and CEO of the Denver Preschool Program (DPP), a woman whose constant curiosity and unwavering dedication have ignited a wave of innovation and positive change across Colorado’s Early Childhood Education landscape. 

At the helm of DPP, Elsa orchestrates an array of organizational activities, charting a course toward fulfilling DPP’s overarching mission, vision, and strategic plan. Her ability to infuse every endeavor with purpose and passion sets her apart as a faithful servant leader dedicated to the greater good. 

But it is Elsa’s exceptional knack for identifying transformational opportunities that truly sets her apart. Drawing upon her vast expertise, she skillfully nurtures and expands teams and organizations, propelling them to new heights of excellence. An unparalleled connector, Elsa forges powerful cross-sector partnerships, ensuring that even the most marginalized voices find representation and influence at the decision-making table. 

Motivated by a sincere passion for empowering others, Elsa is an influential catalyst in enabling people to discover their strengths and accomplish their aspirations. She nurtures collaboration that drives meaningful and lasting transformation by forging connections across business, nonprofits, government, and philanthropy. 

Elsa is a true change-maker in Denver, revolutionizing systems and cultures to promote inclusivity and equity. Her unique ability to leverage relationship capital for the advancement of others amplifies the impact of her work, leaving an indelible mark on the city she holds dear. 

A Remarkable Journey 

Elsa’s journey began in a quaint town in Chihuahua, Mexico, where she spent her early years. When she turned 17, her family decided to immigrate to the United States. Even at this young age, Elsa displayed natural leadership qualities, which became evident in her first job as a janitor. She assumed the supervisor role for a team of 45, as her bilingual skills were indispensable for the position. 

Elsa attended high school and college in Denver, where she immersed herself in learning English. Alongside her studies, she landed an internship in the nonprofit sector, eventually bringing her to the staff position at the start of the Women’s Foundation of Colorado and Rose Community Foundation. This experience ignited a passion for social entrepreneurship within her. For the next 21 years, Elsa served as the senior program officer for Child & Family Development, significantly impacting the community. 

As a social entrepreneur, Elsa founded several noteworthy initiatives, including the Business Center for Women at Mi Casa and the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado. Her dedication to improving society extended to co-founding Early Milestones Colorado, the Denver Opportunity Youth Initiative, Colorado’s Office of Early Childhood, Borealis Philanthropy, and the Skills to Compete Coalition. Elsa’s leadership contributions also involved being a former member and co-chair of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission and serving on the Tools of the Mind board. Moreover, she took on the role of chairperson for the Latino Community Foundation of Colorado board. 

Elsa’s academic achievements are commendable, as she holds a Master of Arts in Public Administration from the University of Colorado Denver and a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the Metropolitan State University of Denver. Interestingly, her favorite subject during her formative years was Math, initially fueling dreams of becoming a scientist. Although she ultimately ventured into social science, her passion for making a positive difference in people’s lives remained unwavering. Elsa was recognized as Most Admired CEO by the Denver Business Journal in 2022 and was a finalist for the 2023 Denver Metro Leadership Foundation’s Leader of the Year Award. 

Her ultimate source of joy and pride is her family: a loving husband, five children, and four grandchildren. When she’s not with her cherished family, Elsa enjoys engaging in various activities that contribute to her well-being in her leisure time. These include Zumba, meditation, walking, gardening, and reading, which enrich her life differently. 

Building a Brighter Future 

A powerful vision drives the Denver Preschool Program (DPP)—to ensure that every child in Denver has equal access to a solid foundation for success in kindergarten and beyond. DPP is dedicated to transforming young children’s and their family’s lives to fulfill this vision by enhancing and funding their early childhood experiences. Through its unwavering commitment, DPP strives to create a brighter future for all children in the community, ensuring they are well-prepared for their educational journey and beyond. 

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities 

Elsa’s journey with DPP began in July 2019, and within a short time, the organization faced the challenges of health, economic, and social justice pandemics. As an effective changemaker, Elsa saw this as an opportunity to drive significant changes and propel the organization to a new level of development. 

DPP swiftly implemented emergency measures to support childcare providers in response to the crisis. They offered grants for cleaning supplies, rent payments, and staff salaries. Even when childcare centers had to close, DPP ensured that tuition payments continued. These actions were crucial, considering that 40% of childcare providers nationwide permanently closed their doors. Thanks to their proactive approach, only 4 out of 270 childcare centers in Denver had to shut down. 

However, Elsa and the team at DPP knew that the challenges were far from over. They recognized the need for innovative solutions in the early childhood field and decided to adopt a learning organization approach. This involved developing pilot programs, testing their feasibility, and learning from failures. Successful programs were permanently integrated into their initiatives. Notable examples include a program to expand services to 3-year-olds and a scholarship to support middle-income families who couldn’t afford preschool. 

The organization also embarked on a crucial journey towards Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice (DEIJ). This process involved engaging with their board, staff, and external partners to create a new strategic plan with a strong focus on equity and an innovative approach. 

Elsa’s remarkable leadership during the pandemic allowed DPP to navigate difficulties and transform them into opportunities. Through the development of pilot programs and new resources, they were able to serve their community better and provide improved support for preschool children and their families. Additionally, DPP became the Denver intermediary for Colorado’s state-wide Universal Pre-K (UPK) program, securing city and state funding to enhance financial resources for Denver’s youngest learners. 

All of these accomplishments were made possible by an incredible team, including the outstanding board of directors and the influential early childhood providers in the community. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure that every child in Denver enters kindergarten with the readiness to reach their full potential. Elsa’s dedication to driving positive change and her ability to seize opportunities even amidst adversity have truly impacted Denver’s early childhood education landscape. 

Focus on Workforce Development 

Elsa emphasizes the workforce as the primary issue in the early childhood education sector. Preschool teachers need quality training and education, but retention remains challenging as many leave for other industries. Addressing this concern requires investing in competitive salaries, benefits, professional development, and creating supportive work environments to retain skilled educators who positively impact young children’s lives.  

Advancing Early Childhood Education 

The Denver Preschool Program has earned national recognition, allowing them to participate in conferences and gatherings of federal partners at the national level. A panelist at the upcoming Children’s Funding Institute where we share the DPP model with communities across the country. Elsa’s past role as co-chair of the Early Childhood Leadership Commission further solidifies her expertise and commitment to early childhood education. She is also a former board member of the national Early Childhood Funders Collaborative For more than 30 years, the Early Childhood Funders Collaborative has been bringing funders together to learn, connect, and advocate for change for children and families. 

Elsa’s involvement in the early childhood sector extends beyond her time at the Denver Preschool Program. For eight years, she served as a Governor Hickenlooper appointee, and even after her term, she maintained connections and engagement with the commission. 

Moreover, Elsa is actively engaged with the new Colorado Department of Early Childhood. She serves on informal kitchen cabinet committees, contributing her insights and expertise to plan and develop policies for the state’s Universal Preschool Program. Her dedication includes advocacy work and testifying at the state’s capitol, ensuring that early childhood education remains a priority at the policy level. 

Through her continued involvement in various leadership roles and advocacy efforts, Elsa demonstrates her unwavering commitment to advancing early childhood education and making a positive impact at both the state and national levels. 

Vision for Expanding Early Education in Underserved Communities 

When Elsa joined DPP four years ago, she aimed to provide two years of free preschool to the most vulnerable families. Now, they are completing a successful three-year pilot, and this initiative will soon become a permanent program at DPP. Elsa’s vision for the future is to extend funding to infants and toddlers, particularly in licensed “childcare deserts” where there is a lack of childcare centers. This expansion addresses the early education needs of the youngest children in historically underserved communities. 

Website: https://dpp.org/