A Panoramic Perspective
Tamra J Ward
“There is a point at which public and private sectors intersect. Being mindful of that dynamic, and preparing in advance, results in stronger outcomes. Looking to the horizon and planning ahead drives my work.”
With 30 years of experience in local, state and federal government affairs, issue management, communications and operational leadership and oversight, Tamra’s approach in both business and civic engagement include her ability to quickly assess situations and stakeholders; clearly define steps to meet a vision or goals; building and maintaining high-performing teams and coalitions; a successful track record in raising financial resources, and strong relationships in Colorado’s government, business and nonprofit communities.
READ MOREPrior to co-founding Taloma in 2017, Tamra served as the Chief External Relations Officer for Denver Zoo, the largest cultural and scientific guest attraction in Colorado. She was responsible for strategic local, state and federal government relations efforts, ballot issue and bond campaign engagement, community outreach and action, marketing, communications and public relations.
Tamra also served as the President and CEO of Colorado Concern, a business advocacy association of more than 115 chief executives. While in this role she grew membership revenue by 25 percent, strengthened the organization’s organizational and governance culture, and spearheaded a coalition focused on strengthening the fiscal transparency of the state’s ballot issue process with the passage of landmark legislation.
For more than a decade Tamra was the Senior Vice President of Public Affairs and Communications for the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, where she led government relations and political strategy for the organization’s 3,000 member businesses, as well as executing organization-wide internal and external communications. Ward is also known for her work as the business community lead on statewide ballot measures. Since 2005 she led efforts to raise $28 million.
A graduate of Baylor University, Tamra’s career began on Capitol Hill where she served on the staffs of Senators Alan Simpson and Craig Thomas. She also served as the Vice President of Marketing and Development for Columbia Hospital for Women in Washington, D.C.
Tamra is a graduate of the Chamber’s Leadership Denver Program, and was named by the Denver Business Journal as one of Denver’s “40 Under 40. She currently serves as the Chair of the History Colorado Board of Directors and on the Executive Committee of ARC Thrift Stores. She has been named a “Woman of Distinction” by the Mile High Chapter of the Girl Scouts, and one of the state’s “Top 25 Most Powerful Women” by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
Lori Fox
“Navigating complex issues—from legislative and policy issues to corporate challenges—has been a constant in my work over the past 20 years. It’s part of my DNA.”
Lori has served in wide-ranging leadership roles for high-profile private and public organizations for more than two decades. Following her professional experience in Washington, DC—where she worked on Capitol Hill, at two cabinet agencies and in the White House—the Colorado native returned home. She has been an active member of the community, participating on numerous business and Nonprofit Boards, as well as being elected to serve on the Regional Transportation District Board of Directors.
READ MORELori was Regional Director of Corporate & Public Affairs for United Airlines for nearly a decade. In this role she represented the international airline, driving business and policy efforts, as well as corporate reputation and expansion campaigns.
Pinnacol Assurance brought Lori in to serve as Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs. Her work helped the Workers’ Compensation insurer address reputational and legislative challenges while improving communications team operations.
An unexpected vacancy in the office of Governor John Hickenlooper resulted in Lori’s serving as his Interim Legislative Director. Working with both sides of the aisle, as well as with business and community advocates, she led some of the most controversial issues of the session.
Lori also served as an embedded policy and stakeholder engagement consultant for Panasonic’s CityNOW headquarters in Denver, where she supported their Smart Mobility and Smart City efforts.
Maren C Stewart, JD APR
“Identifying common goals and engaging stakeholders as partners is critical to the success of any major initiative. Collaboration is key and essential to my approach.”
Maren is an experienced and successful executive with a proven record of creating, directing, and executing successful public affairs and communications initiatives and campaigns over nearly three decades. She is highly competent in strategic development and integration; complex problem solving; reputation management; partner development and cultivation; public will-building and public engagement campaigns; public policy and advocacy. In addition, Maren is known as a respected and impactful leader with significant executive experience in the nonprofit sector, and strong community connections in the business and civic communities. She is admitted to the Colorado Bar and is accredited by the Public Relations Society of America.
READ MOREPrior to co-founding Taloma Partners in 2017, Maren served as the first president and CEO of a start-up nonprofit, where she was responsible for everything from strategy development, branding and stakeholder engagement to board recruitment, fundraising, and hiring and directing a team from the ground up. She spearheaded state and federal policy changes, created a multi-media communications and marketing campaign, and led grantmaking focused on local communities. Under her leadership, LiveWell Colorado launched the first and only statewide, comprehensive, multi-sector obesity prevention movement in the nation.
Previously, Maren served as Vice President of External Affairs at Children’s Hospital Colorado for 12 years, where she led numerous external affairs strategies. As a member of the Executive Leadership Team, Maren directed efforts in the areas of public policy, advocacy, strategic communications, marketing, branding and community relations. Maren successfully developed nationally recognized advocacy campaigns and public will-building partnerships; created the hospital’s first-ever community benefit program; led communications in support of the move to the Anschutz campus and established the hospital as a national leader in child health policy and advocacy
Taloma in Our Commmunity
The Principals of Taloma Partners have had the privilege of serving as past or current board members of many leading Colorado organizations including:
- ARC Thrift Stores
- Aurora Chamber of Commerce
- Aurora Economic Development Council
- Colorado Business Committee for the Arts
- Colorado Community College System
- Colorado International Women’s Forum
- Colorado Nonprofit Association
- Colorado Succeeds
- Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- CU Denver School of Arts & Media
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce
- Denver Commission on Cultural Affairs
- Denver Film
- Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
- Downtown Denver Partnership
- Global Livingston Institute
- History Colorado
- Komen Colorado
- Mile High United Way
- Porter Adventist Hospital Foundation
- Regional Transportation District
- SCL Health
- Share our Strength National Advisory Council
- Swallow Hill Music
- The Next Stage
- Transition Teams for Mayors Hancock and Hickenlooper and Governors Ritter and Hickenlooper
- Visit Denver
Awards and Recognition
- 40 Under 40 – Denver Business Journal
- 50 for the Future – Colorado Statesman
- Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce – Board Member of the Year
- Livingston Fellow – Bonfils-Stanton Foundation
“One to Watch” – Element Magazine - Public Relations Society of America (PRSA) Accreditation
- Top 25 Most Powerful Women – Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
- Women of Distinction – Colorado Girl Scouts
© 2022 Taloma Partners, LLC All rights reserved.
WE’VE MOVED!
1490 N. Lafayette Street, Suite 203, Denver, Colorado 80218