What if business wasn’t just about profit, but about purpose?

For Christian Andrade, MBA ’21, that’s never been hypothetical. This principle has guided every chapter of his journey, from educating clients in the banking world to leading strategic communications for the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC) and helping nearly 20 family members build new lives in the US.

As a CU Denver Business School alum, Andrade embodies the belief that business can be a tool for transformation for communities.

His story is one of impact and relentless purpose. And it all began with a decision to lead with purpose and the ultimate goal of improving lives.

A Leadership Mindset Rooted in Purpose

True leadership is often associated with charisma and authority. However, it isn’t always about being the loudest voice in the room or the first step forward.

At its core, it’s about knowing when to act, when to listen, and how to build momentum toward a vision that benefits more than individual interests. It requires the discernment to step up when needed and the humility to empower others when the moment calls for it.

This philosophy echoes in Andrade’s heart. For him, leadership is a daily practice rooted in strategy, discipline, and humility. His approach, one that is steady, intentional, and deeply people-focused, continues to shape the way he leads. This very same mindset, coupled with a strong desire to improve lives, eventually propelled him to CU Denver Business School to pursue an MBA.

Education as a Doorway to More Opportunities

At some point in a professional journey, a familiar question often arises: What comes next? For many, this question surfaces at a career peak, when one has substantial experience and tangible impact, but growth starts to feel uncertain. At that crucial moment, the focus shifts from climbing the career ladder to deepening purpose, expanding influence, and redefining long-term goals.

This is where Andrade found himself. He had built a successful career rooted in service, with people always at the heart of his work. Still, he felt an unmistakable pull to ‘do more’ and serve at a higher level.

With encouragement from a family member and clarity from a personal sense of mission, Andrade decided to pursue an MBA at CU Denver Business School – an investment in the kind of leader he aspired to become.

A Transformative Experience

When asked about the true impact of the MBA program, Andrade responded with conviction.

“My MBA changed my life,” he said. “Before the MBA program, I had a job. Now, I have a career.” In fact, he confidently asserted that the program significantly amplified his perspectives on leadership, purpose, and possibility. His MBA honed the tools to channel his values into meaningful action and the confidence to lead in more transformative ways.

“My MBA changed my life. Before the program, I had a job. Now, I have a career.” 

Christian Andrade, MBA ’21, Marketing and Communications Team Lead, Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC)

Professor Susan Heinzeroth greatly influenced Andrade during his time at the Business School. Heinzeroth’s outlook on values-driven leadership left a lasting impression. Drawing on the school’s pillars, she introduced the idea that business could and should be a force for good. That perspective helped Andrade see a broader horizon beyond traditional career paths and explore roles in the nonprofit and public sectors, where he could multiply his impact.

Andrade’s peers also played a crucial role in his development. Like many others, he entered the program with some self-doubt. However, he credited his classmates for helping him overcome imposter syndrome. His community understood the value of his lived experience. “It gave me perspective,” he said. It reminded me that I belonged–and that I could lead.”

Overall, the MBA program widened Andrade’s view of what was possible and revealed his capacity to lead in ways that create lasting change. He was already convinced that when paired with service, business can do more than solve problems and fix what others have given up on. The experience at the Business School watered that seed.

And that conviction set him on a path toward a place most business professionals would never think to look: the Colorado Department of Corrections.

Rewriting the Narrative, One Story at a Time

Trading a corner office for correctional communications might not sound like the next logical career move. But for Andrade, it made perfect sense. After all, he is the first to admit, “I thrive on taking something underperforming and making it world-class.”

“I came here because this was a story that needed fixing.”

Christian Andrade, MBA ’21, Marketing and Communications Team Lead, Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC)

Andrade found the perfect place to apply his philosophy: the Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC), the largest state agency in Colorado, responsible for over 6,000 employees, 17,000 incarcerated individuals, and a budget exceeding $1 billion. For Andrade, it was an opportunity to step into a complex system and bring clarity, empathy, and engagement to a misunderstood and overlooked space.

Some of his own family members have been directly or indirectly impacted by the correctional system, making the work professionally aligned and deeply personal. “To think there’s a way to help offenders who are most at the margins of society and minorities re-enter society is a work that aligns with my mission,” he stated.

As the Marketing and Communications Team Lead, Andrade is reframing how the department tells its story by promoting transparency, increasing public understanding, and amplifying the voices of those who keep the system running behind the scenes. This is storytelling with a purpose, guided by famed NFL coach Pete Carroll’s words: “You have to control the narrative of your own story.”

Andrade now operates at the intersection of public service, strategic communication, and human impact. In any given day, he collaborates with executives, engages with media outlets, and connects with incarcerated individuals to better understand their stories and needs. This is the dream for him: a role that challenges his skills, sharpens his messaging, and keeps him grounded in the perspectives that matter most.

In essence, this work is still about what it has always been for Andrade: helping people, restoring dignity, and proving that leadership, when rooted in purpose, can transform even the most misunderstood spaces.

Living a Legacy that Outlives You

Andrade’s inspiration, Carroll once said that the goal is to leave a legacy that outlives you. It is a belief Andrade carries with him, both in his work and his personal life. He works hard not only to build a better life for his wife and two young sons but also to model what real success looks like. “I want them to see that success isn’t about comfort but contribution,” he emphasized.

“If you can make a difference and you don’t, that’s a failure of leadership.”

Christian Andrade, MBA ’21, Marketing and Communications Team Lead, Colorado Department of Corrections (CDOC)

That philosophy extends far beyond his home. Andrade has long been involved in community-focused efforts, from helping family members integrate into the United States to supporting financial literacy and workforce development initiatives. And he is just getting started. 

“I see myself doing more social advocacy in the future,” he revealed. “If you can make a difference and you don’t, that’s a failure of leadership. And I don’t fail.”

Whether through public service or direct community engagement, Andrade remains committed to opening doors for others and keeping them open.

Wisdom for the Next Generation

For students and young professionals still finding their voice, Andrade offered clear advice: “Do not wait for permission to lead.”

Above all, Andrade believes in leading with heart, courage, and a vision that goes beyond personal gain.

“Leave the world better than you found it. That’s how you win forever.”