7 Colorado tech execs share what they're thankful for — both inside and outside the office

by April Bohnert
November 21, 2017

Taking time to show gratitude to those around you isn't just a good personal habit — it plays an important role in the workplace as well. More and more, we're seeing Colorado tech companies focus on building cultures of appreciation and recognition, and often, that trickles down from the folks at the very top. 

So, in the spirit of the season, we asked local founders and C-level executives to share what they’re most grateful for this year — both inside and outside of the office.

 

Havenly COO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of Havenly.

Jessie Dixon is the COO for Denver-based design tech company Havenly. She shares how, in a busy world, time and attention can often be the greatest forms of gratitude.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

I'm grateful to work alongside a fun, dedicated and smart team that believes in what we're building at Havenly. It makes my job so rewarding — not to mention fun — to see what we can do as a team each day.

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

There are no words to express how grateful I am for my amazing family who supports me, challenges me and stands by me no matter what.

 

How do you show your gratitude both inside and outside of the office?

I try to show my gratitude by being available to others — giving my time and attention — in what is an insanely busy and noisy world. Relationships are so important, and they lead to such richness in life that I try to be available and present and live alongside others as a friend.

 

CapTech CEO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of CapTech.

When CEO Kevin McQueen isn’t busy leading IT management consulting firm CapTech, he’s striving to be a leader in his community by volunteering and working to improve the place he calls home.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

I feel blessed to help lead the company that I love and for the amazing team of people I get to work with every day, who inspire me to push myself. I'm also grateful for the partnerships and relationships we have built with our clients over the years and honored that we can help them succeed in meeting their goals.

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

I'm grateful for my family and that we are all healthy. And I'm thankful that I have the opportunity to do a job that I love while still being able to spend quality time with my loved ones.

 

How do you show your gratitude both inside and outside of the office?

I try to show my appreciation through one-on-one connections with people — whether it’s a voicemail, a text, a thank you in the hallway or grabbing some lunch. I've been extremely fortunate in my life and I feel I should give back to the community where I live. In addition to volunteering my time, I also focus a lot of energy thinking about how to make our community a better place and doing what I can wherever I am able to contribute. Whether it is serving on nonprofit boards, working with my son's school or building relationships through Big Brothers Big Sisters — I just want to help improve the place I call home.

 

GoSpotCheck CEO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of GoSpotCheck.

GoSpotCheck CEO and co-founder Matt Talbot shed some light on how he practices gratitude every day by celebrating small victories and reflecting on the good things in life.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

My co-founders, Samantha and Joey, and the broader GSC team. It may sound cliche, but I am so thankful that I get the opportunity to work with such great people day in and day out. Sam and Joey have always been wildly hard-working and I can count on them like few people I have ever had in my life. Knowing that my co-founders care tremendously and that we all have each other's back is a gift. My team helps make me better, challenges my perspective, and brings creative ideas every day. As a CEO, there is nothing better than that!

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

As lucky as I think I have been in my professional life, nothing compares to the luck I have in my personal life! I'm so grateful for my incredibly supportive, smart and beautiful wife, Beth, and my two goofball kids, Mia and Atlas. They make me laugh every day and bring me an amazing amount of happiness. On top of that, I have great parents who have been there for me my whole life, and especially so as I have ventured out to build GSC.

 

How do you show your gratitude both inside and outside of the office?

At GSC we do a "kudos" session every Monday at our all hands. This helps remind us of all the things we are grateful for and allows us to recognize the little wins along the way. This has become central to our culture. Outside of work, I mostly just tell my family how lucky I am to have them! We try to build gratefulness into our daily lives by pausing and talking about what we are grateful for every day. It's easy to get lost in the shuffle of the day to day and forget all the important things in life so we do our best to make sure we don't forget these things!

 

FRONTSTEPS CEO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of FRONTSTEPS.

CEO Jamie Clymer shows his appreciation by making family his number one priority — both the FRONTSTEPS family working to make the company’s community and HOA software platform stronger, and the wife and children he comes home to every day.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

I’m most grateful for the wonderful people who I have the opportunity to work with on a daily basis. We have transformed several areas of our business over the last twelve months, driven by the exceptional daily efforts of our team.

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

No question, my family. Without the support and guidance given to me by my wife and three phenomenal kids, I would not be able to do what I do today.

 

How do you show your gratitude to those around you?

Showing gratitude is often about the little things. I like to walk around the office and say ‘thank you’ to a team member who went above and beyond and check in on new employees. But most importantly, I like to ask and hear about their families. While our FRONTSTEPS family is important, their families come first. I want them to attend piano recitals, basketball games and the dreaded parent teacher conferences. I’m grateful that I can foster an environment where people feel empowered to support their families and enjoy their kids.

 

Ibotta CEO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of Ibotta.

Ibotta’s founder and CEO Bryan Leach has a lot to be grateful for. He celebrates that by focusing his time on the people and values he cares about most.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

I'm grateful for the millions of consumers who continue to turn to our mobile app as a trusted source of savings and a way to make ends meet in their day-to-day lives. There are millions of apps to choose from, and we're blessed to have a community of people who inspire us to keep building better products.  

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

My health, and the health of my family.

 

How do you show your gratitude both inside and outside of the office?

By making sure that the way I spend my time is truly aligned with my values, and that my family knows I love and appreciate them every day.

 

Personal Capital CEO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of Personal Capital.

Leading a fast-growing fintech company is no small job. But Personal Capital CEO Jay Shah explains how maintaining a healthy work-life balance helps him keep it all in perspective.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

Personal Capital helping over a million Americans and delivering better financial lives through technology and people. To be on such a meaningful and impactful mission, alongside such a talented and engaged team, I couldn't be more thankful!

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

Work-life balance is extremely important to all of us. I am very grateful to be able to spend time with my young family, devote attention to my parents and still make time for fun and friends to enjoy life, despite a very demanding job.

 

How do you show your gratitude both inside and outside of the office?

I can't ever thank my colleagues enough or overstate my love and appreciation for family and friends, but I try.  Thank you — my family, my friends and my colleagues — for making life so fulfilling!

 

Top Hat CEO gratitude Colorado
Photo courtesy of Top Hat.

Mike Silagadze is CEO and co-founder of edtech startup Top Hat. He explained how gratitude and recognition are ingrained in the company culture.

 

What are you most grateful for in regards to your work?

I'm grateful for the positive impact that the excellent team in Top Hat's Denver office is having on higher education. Every day, our software is helping make learning more engaging and affordable for students. We've had an incredible 2017. Top Hat is now being used at three-quarters of the top schools in America, including here in Colorado.

 

What are you most grateful for outside the office?

Pumpkin pie with a giant dollop of whipped cream. It's the greatest. Thanksgiving wouldn't be the same without it.

 

How do you show your gratitude both inside and outside of the office?

In our office, we have a tradition of giving weekly shout-outs in our staff newsletter to congratulate teammates who embrace our company values. I make a point of showing my appreciation to my friends and family outside of the office, too. Who doesn't like to have their good work recognized?

 

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