Minds Matter Colorado names Chad Cookinham executive director

Minds Matter Colorado has appointed veteran Denver education leader Chad Cookinham to lead the college access nonprofit as it expands support for students from high school through college. The organization is moving from a three-year model to a seven-year approach while serving 114 students across the Denver metro area.

Why it matters: - Minds Matter Colorado is broadening its support for high-achieving students from low-income families beyond high school and into college. - The leadership change comes as the 22-year-old program scales up a new seven-year model and launches a College & Career Success pilot. - Stable executive leadership could help the nonprofit deepen outcomes for students while preserving its volunteer-driven model.

What happened: - Minds Matter Colorado named Chad Cookinham as its new executive director on Oct. 28, 2026. - Cookinham most recently led the Corporate Work Study Program at Arrupe Jesuit High School in Denver. - The organization serves 114 students from 24 high schools across the Denver metro area. - Minds Matter Colorado said its students have graduated high school on time and been admitted to four-year colleges with scholarships at a 100% rate over 22 years.

The details: - Cookinham brings more than two decades of experience in education and nonprofit leadership. - His background includes work as a high school teacher in the United States and Ecuador. - He later coached school and district leaders, developed educational programs and built partnerships to expand student opportunities. - At Arrupe Jesuit High School, Cookinham helped grow the Corporate Work Study Program to more than 125 corporate partners. - The program gives more than 430 students each year real professional experience. - Minds Matter Colorado says its shift from a three-year program to a seven-year model will support students through college. - Starting in 10th grade, each student is paired one-to-one with a college-educated volunteer mentor for three years. - Students meet every Monday night for an evidence-based curriculum covering identity and communication skills, test prep, college essays, financial aid and applications. - Each student also attends two fully funded summer programs on college campuses. - The organization says that support helps address undermatching, when talented low-income students apply to less selective schools than their records warrant. - Minds Matter Colorado says it is about 98% volunteer-driven, with more than 180 volunteers and a small staff. - The nonprofit is the third-oldest of 14 chapters in the national Minds Matter network. - Its new College & Career Success pilot is supporting 10 alumni at CU Boulder. - Cookinham also served as board chair of Prodigy Ventures for six years and currently serves on the board of Compass Academy. - He is a graduate of Leadership Denver and holds degrees from Dartmouth College and the University of Michigan.

Between the lines: - The appointment signals a focus on operational durability as much as program expansion. - Cookinham's background in team-building and financial sustainability fits a nonprofit trying to scale without losing its volunteer-led identity. - The move also suggests Minds Matter Colorado wants a leader who can bridge high school support with postsecondary persistence.

What's next: - Minds Matter Colorado will keep building out its seven-year model and College & Career Success pilot. - Cookinham will oversee the organization as it supports students and mentors preparing for college and beyond. - The nonprofit's next phase will likely center on expanding alumni support while maintaining its current Denver-area programming.

The bottom line: - Minds Matter Colorado is betting on an experienced Denver nonprofit leader to guide its next stage of growth and extend student support farther into adulthood. - The full report and more information are available at mindsmatterco.org.