A HANDFUL OF YEARS AGO, Olivia Mendoza, then executive director of Colorado Latino Leadership Advocacy and Research Organization, left the comfort and safety of a rising career in the nonprofit world to study
public interest law at DU’s Sturm College of Law.

Now deep into her studies and the presidency of the Latino Law Student Association, she’s focused on maximizing her impact. And thanks to the University of Denver’s Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) fellowship
program, she is positioned to do just that.

Designed to elevate Colorado’s Latino leaders into positions of influence across sectors and industries, the fellowship program provides nine months of intensive leadership development. Fellows also benefit from LLI programming, which brings nationally recognized experts in business, film, media and politics to campus to share their insights on the Latino community.

Through much of her fellowship, Mendoza, an inaugural member of the program, was paired with Colorado Supreme Court Justice Monica Marquez, who served as her mentor, answering important questions about the realities of pursuing a law career.

“We have Latino professionals throughout our state who are exceptional leaders in their respective industries,” said Joelle Martinez, LLI’s executive director. “They also possess a desire to grow individually while wanting to advance the Latino community and the state of Colorado.” LLI fellows have an average of 15 years of professional experience, and nearly 70 percent hold an advanced degree.

The context of Latino leadership in Colorado is more important than ever. Today, Latinos make up 21 percent of the state’s population. By 2050, according to estimates, nearly one in three Coloradans will identify as Latino.

Nationally, Martinez said, Latinos are underrepresented in executive leadership roles across all sectors, representing only 3 percent of trustees on Fortune 500 boards of directors and 2 percent of CEOs. In the nonprofit sector, not even 3 percent of foundation CEOs or presidents are Latino. Of Colorado’s 681 elected offices, only 7 percent are occupied by Latinos.

Mendoza has plenty of ideas for how her law degree can positively affect others. “I was undocumented in this country for the majority of my youth, and it wasn’t until there was legislative reform that changed that pathway that my entire family was able to become citizens,” Mendoza explained. “Those moments ingrain themselves in who you are. I just don’t think you can have public policy so fundamentally touch your life and not feel the awesomeness of that power.”