Get to Know Our Keynote Speaker, Linda Alvarado

Linda Alvarado, Co-Owner Colorado Rockies &

President/CEO Alvarado Construction

and now FestiGals 2017 Keynote Speaker!

Linda Alvarado is President and Chief Executive Officer of Alvarado Construction, Inc., a LEED certified commercial general contractor, construction manager, development, design/build, and property management firm. Based in Denver, the company has offices in several cities. Alvarado Construction has successfully developed and constructed projects across the United States and internationally.

Linda started her “unplanned career” working as a laborer for a landscaping company in college. Then using only her initials instead of first name on the application, she got a job with a development company.

While it seemed crazy and very high risk for a girl, in 1976 she started a company installing curb and sidewalks. The first structures built were small shelters for people waiting for the bus.Alvarado provides the full range of construction services utilizing advanced technology software from project concept through budget models, design phase estimates, value engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning and completion.

The success of Alvarado Construction has been built on the core values and principles of: Integrity, Ethics, Professionalism, High Performance Standards, Commitment to Diversity, Environmental Sustainability, and our Contributions and Support of Nonprofit and Community Organizations.

Projects include the Phoenix Convention Center Expansion and Symphony Hall Renovation, the Denver Broncos Sports Authority Field at Mile High, the Colorado Convention Center, the Denver Aquarium, Bernard Valdez Hispanic Heritage Center, Sacramento Municipal Utility Headquarters, and the 37 story Hyatt Hotel Center. Alvarado was the lead construction manager and general contractor for the extensive remodel and restoration of the Pepsi Center as the venue for the historic 2008 Democratic National Convention.

In keeping with breaking non-traditional roles, Linda Alvarado made history in 1992 as the first Latino (male or female) owner of a Major League Baseball Franchise, the Colorado Rockies. Her ownership role is also significant as it marked the first time that any woman was involved in a bid for ownership of a major league baseball team.

Linda Alvarado has been a board member of Pitney Bowes, 3M Company, Pepsi Bottling Group, Lennox International, US West, Qwest Communications, Englehard Cyprus Amex Minerals and United Banks of Colorado.

Her success in business and active community involvement let to her recognition as a trailblazer in her field. Linda is a founding member and first women elected as chairman of the board of the Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and a Presidential appointee as a Commissioner of the White House Initiative for Hispanic Excellence in Education.

She has been acknowledged with numerous awards for achievement. Linda Alvarado is a recipient of the Horatio Alger Award and along with U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno and Maya Angelou honored with the prestigious Sara Lee Corporation Frontrunner Award for exemplary achievement and leadership.

Linda is the first women selected by the United States Hispanic Chambers of Commerce “Ultimate Latina in Business” and honored twice as the United States Hispanic Chambers of Commerce “Business Woman of the Year”, a recipient of the National Minority Supplier Development Council Leadership Award, the National Society of Hispanic MBA's "Brillante Award", The Martin Luther King Social Responsibility Award by the Colorado MLK Commission, named the Revlon Businesswoman of the Year, and the National Association of Minority Engineers “Visionary Award”

Linda Alvarado has been a role model in breaking stereotype that you don’t have to be a man to succeed in traditional male careers. She was the Latina featured in the 2016 and 2017 Georgia Pacific BRAWNY media campaign celebrating Women’s History Month. Linda stated that, “ In the male dominated construction industry it was important to not let conventional thinking cloud my vision that strength and success is based on gender. Women and particularly women of color, were most often not well accepted nor thought to have any chance of succeeding. But we cannot give up staying focused on building strength in our ourselves and in our ability to achieve our goals while opening doors for others to also succeed.”

Linda is an inductee in the National Minority Business Hall of Fame, the National Women’s Business Enterprise Hall of Fame, The Latin American International Sports Hall of Fame, the National Women’s Hall of Fame in Seneca Falls, NY and the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame. She has been named as one of the “100 Most Influential Hispanics in America” by Hispanic Business, Poder, and Latino Leaders magazines, and voted as the Most Inspiring Latino in America” for the America Latino Awards.

Linda Alvarado is the focus of many articles in newspapers, books, business publications, educational curriculum, civics texts, on the cover of several national magazines and featured in numerous media broadcast productions. She has set high standards as a successful business owner and her accomplishments have opened doors for other women and minorities to enter new careers.

Linda is a well-known advocate highly committed and very engaged in civic and community organizations dedicating her time and financial resources to level the playing field for Hispanics, women and other minorities to achieve their dreams in sports, college degrees, career advancement and access to capital to own a business.

Hear this trailblazer and more speak at the New Orleans Women's Leadership Conference on June 22nd, 2017.