PRESS RELEASE
Denver, CO, January 9, 2023 – Taylor Gantt, a native Coloradan with an extensive twenty year career in education, has been named Chief Operating Officer (COO) at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado (BBBSC). Gantt will be the first COO for the 105 year organization.
Gantt grew up in Southeast Denver and was a former mentee (Little) in the BBBSC program. “It is difficult for me to overstate how much Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado impacted, and dare I say – saved my life,” Gantt shared. “My Big Brother and I still have a strong, meaningful relationship today which was forged in authenticity and purpose over thirty years ago.”
In 2022 BBBSC was the recipient of a generous donation from the MacKenzie Scott Foundation. Following Scott’s intent with making this gift, BBBSC will use this donation in part to transform BBBSC through investments in Infrastructure, Program and Reach, and Sustainable Growth. Investment in BBBSC’s Infrastructure allows for the proper coordination of human resources, processes, and other operational tools necessary to ensure manageable sustainable growth. BBBSC will utilize a portion of the funds to put towards a strong infrastructure over the next several years and the hire of Gantt is a critical part of this investment.
Gantt brings to this role years of leadership and innovation for a wide range of demographics. Gantt worked in college admissions at the College of Santa Fe (CSF) and later became the school’s only collegiate Head Baseball Coach, starting a program from scratch in 2008. Unfortunately, the CSF did not survive the 2008 recession and Gantt found himself substitute teaching at a nearby Catholic school to make ends meet. His resilience, impact, and ambition at St. Michael’s High School were undisputed, and in five years he became the school’s youngest President at age 33. Gantt spent six years improving academic performance, making private education more accessible to those on the margins, and raising nearly $4M to remodel and update the 50-year-old campus.
Gantt left St. Michael’s in May 2020 to be the Chief Finance and Operations Officer at the United World College (UWC), an international boarding school serving 230 students from 90 countries, speaking 40+ languages, and all pursuing the coveted IB diploma. At UWC, he would proceed to tackle some of the school’s most pressing matters including chairing the school’s six-person COVID task force, who managed to keep the faculty and students safe and school open (in that order) for in-person learning for the entirety of COVID pandemic.
When selected for the role as the COO, Gantt stated, “Deep down, I always knew I would work for Big Brothers Big Sisters, I just didn’t know when or where, or for how long and in what city. I am grateful for this incredible opportunity to serve the organization that had such a profound impact on my life and eager to get started in this deep, and important work for the community and region.”
Gantt holds a BA from Dakota Wesleyan University and MBA from College of Santa Fe. Gantt, his wife, three children, and two Great Danes recently moved back to Colorado. When he is not at work, he can be found fixing or building something, playing golf or ping pong, and juggling. Gantt is also an apprentice stone mason and baseball umpire.
About Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado
Since 1918, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado has operated under the belief that all youth can achieve their full potential with the right guidance and support. The mission is to create and support one mentoring relationship that ignite the power and promise of youth. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado helps children achieve higher aspirations, greater confidence, better relationships, avoid risky behaviors, educational success, and lifelong wellbeing. Big Brothers Big Sisters of Colorado seeks to change the lives of children facing adversity in meaningful partnership with youth mentees, parents/guardians, volunteers, local communities, and caring philanthropists.