Ambron says dedicated teamwork and perseverance positions CU Denver Business School for even more success

Business School Dean Sueann Ambron, CU Denver’s longest-serving dean, said the school is set to reach new levels as she prepares to retire on July 3. During a festive May 13 reception attended by 120 faculty, staff, students and business leaders—as well as CU President Bruce Benson—Ambron credited teamwork and perseverance for putting the school on the path to even greater success.

The building in the heart of Denver’s business district exemplifies how Ambron’s 15-year tenure produced an era of remarkable growth and transformation for the CU Denver Business School.

David Leonard, chair of the Business School Board of Advisors, recalled being a student at CU Denver decades ago when classes were held in the old Tramway building, now the Hotel Teatro. “I graduated (from the CU Denver Business School) in 1981 and about the only thing it had in common with what is here today is the name,” Leonard said to Ambron. “Through your leadership, you have really put this school on the map, and created a path for the school to continue educating young talent and our future leaders for the Colorado business community and beyond.”

Other accolades came from Benson, who said he’s looking forward to seeing what enterprise Ambron embarks upon in “retirement”; CU Denver Chancellor Jerry Wartgow; Cliff Young, professor and associate dean of faculty for the Business School; and Gary Kochenberger, professor and co-director of Business Analytics, who has been named the school’s interim dean while a national search for a permanent dean continues. A video that highlighted Ambron’s tenure was shown on the TV screens that line a wall inside the J.P. Morgan Center for Commodities—one of the many academic programs and centers launched while the former Apple executive was dean.

Ambron thanked by name her many Business School colleagues, adding, “We’ve accomplished a lot of good things together… Nothing like this happens without a lot of folks helping.”

She also highlighted the “world-class” board of advisors and advisory council members who represent the spectrum of Colorado businesses. “This is the fuel behind the Business School. These are the venture capitalists willing to take risks with new ideas,” Ambron said. “It’s been a privilege working with you and creating a relevant and forward-thinking Business School that can act like a startup company … This Business School is really a new model for what a school should be and it’s poised to soar.”

Guiding the school into its next stage will be Kochenberger, who received a few necessities that Ambron has collected over the years. She bestowed the items to her successor, including a hard hat (“for incoming”), a can of worms and a bell (“every time we get a gift, we ring the bell.”). Ambron told the crowd, “My request is that you wrap your arms around this man. We’re going far and we need all of you.”

Kochenberger echoed that sentiment, saying to Ambron, “I’m inspired by your dedication and accomplishments.”

Wartgow extolled Ambron’s “phenomenal” leadership, not only in her vision of launching innovative programs and centers, but also for forging ever stronger connections between the Business School and the Colorado business community. “It’s the end of an era, Sueann. We’re going to miss you,” he said. “This is a much better place—not only at the Business School but the entire university—because Sueann Ambron was here.”

Young said Ambron, whose overall career in academia and private industry spans more than 50 years, always billed herself as a “startup professional.” “She wanted to start things, and, by golly, that’s precisely what she’s done,” he said. “She’s been an innovator and we have become a new and different Business School because of her leadership and innovation.”

Ambron lastly thanked her family. Her husband, three children and youngest grandchild all attended the retirement party. “These are the folks that make life worth living,” she said. “I just want to say thank you (to them), and thank you to all of you.”