Brian J. Elizardi is an experienced education leader with over 20 years of private and public sector experience in fundraising, corporate engagement, and program development excellence gained in public and private universities. He currently serves as the Director of Community Impact and Innovation at the Institute for Entrepreneurship based on the CSU Spur campus, focused on catalyzing investment and partnering with the community to create a world-class innovation ecosystem.

Previously Brian led the alumni function at the University of Denver, architecting a new model for engagement through increasing public-private partnership activities, strengthening career pathways for students and alumni, expanding experiential learning and connections to employers and industry, and engaging the community to ensure research and creative work meaningfully addressed contemporary issues.

Brian’s passion for innovation led to the CASE Grand Gold Award for the industry’s top marketing campaign in 2020, as well as numerous university excellence awards. He serves the community in a variety of leadership positions and industry trade groups through speaking engagement, conference and institute design and facilitation, and authorship of content that catalyzes new thinking and innovative business approaches.

Brian received his Executive MBA from the Daniels College of Business. He was awarded a Master of Arts in Higher Education Administration from the Morgridge College of Education and received his bachelor’s degree in Communication Studies and Leadership from the University of Denver.