Sasha Nelson
Hometown:
Craig, Colorado
Connect: LinkedIn
Sasha is excited to serve her home region and help communities of Northwest Colorado who are facing the departure of entire industries with new economic development strategies. She believes this complex yet vital undertaking is necessary to sustain the well-being of the region and transform their economies through expansive efforts.
Navigating the twists and turns of a less-traveled professional journey, Sasha draws inspiration from Robert Frost’s poetic wisdom: ” Two roads diverged in a wood, and I— I took the one less traveled by, And that has made all the difference.” Her diverse career path spans non-profit leadership, academia, community organizing, storytelling/journalism, and roles in college workforce and economic development, culminating in her current position as a leader in rural Tier 1 Coal transitioning Northwest Colorado.
Rooted in rural communities, Sasha is naturally inclined towards places less explored, encapsulating America’s past and harboring immense promise for future innovation. In this unique setting, she actively contributes as a collaborative leader working towards positive change. Engaging with communities of doers and makers — some grappling with uncertainties about their futures — fuels her commitment to serve as a change agent. Sasha is an analytical thinker, adept at forging connections, inspiring others, and cultivating better outcomes for the communities she serves.
ERC Project
Project Title:
Industry Diversification in Northwest Colorado
Host Community or Region:
Colorado
Host Organization:
Routt County Economic Development Partnership
The Roadmap to Recovery Plan led by Routt County Economic Development Partnership (RCEDP) and Northwest Colorado Development Council (NWCDC) was created to address the challenges posed by the diminishing coal-fired power generation industry to ensure a balance of economic stability and growth in the region through industry diversification strategies. The ERC Fellow will play a crucial role by focusing on small business development and technical assistance, entrepreneurial ecosystem building, and economic diversification in potential industries spanning clean energy, agriculture, technology, tourism, healthcare, or manufacturing. Complementary to these strategic efforts, the ERC Fellow will support existing business retention and expansion initiatives and regional coordination and collaboration, further uplifting Northwest Colorado communities.
Interested in supporting this project or learning more? Contact the ERC program team here.
