Get to Know CC Board of Trustees Chair Kyle Samuel ’92

We sat down with Kyle Samuel ’92, who began his term as Chair of the Colorado College Board of Trustees on July 1, to get to know him better. He graciously answered our questions and gave us a glimpse into his world.

CC: Tell us about yourself. Where are you from?

Kyle Samuel: Denver is my hometown. I moved there when I was three years old and spent 38 years in Colorado. I’m a proud graduate of John F. Kennedy High School ’88, and Colorado College ’92. Those years in Colorado shaped so much of who I am, and CC continues to be a defining part of my journey.

CC: Where do you live now? 

KS: I’ve lived in Washington, D.C. since 2011, and I love it here! The city’s incredible diversity, global food scene, and rich mix of history, culture, and politics make it a vibrant place to call home. Plus, it’s within close proximity to five major cities along the Northeast Corridor.

CC: What about your family life? 

KS: My family is deeply rooted in Denver. My son, Iman, and his wife, April, live there with my two-year-old grandson. My niece, Shamara — whom I raised — and her son, Carlil, also live in Denver, as does my brother, Lawrence, and his family. One of the joys of my board service is that it brings me back to Colorado regularly, which gives me precious time with family.

CC: Why did you choose Colorado College for your education?

KS: I chose Colorado College because of its strong academic reputation and the rigor of a liberal arts education. The smaller size of the school meant I could really know my professors and have meaningful access to faculty, which was important to me. I also valued the chance to continue playing football at the collegiate level and being close to home made CC feel like the right fit both academically and personally.

CC: You say CC was a “transformational experience” for you. In what way?

KS: CC was truly a transformational experience for me in several ways. First, the academic rigor instilled discipline and sharpened the skills that last a lifetime: critical thinking, clear communication — both written and verbal — and, most importantly, problem-solving. The Block Plan forces you to engage deeply and quickly with complex topics, and that ability to think critically and communicate effectively under tight timeframes has been invaluable throughout my career.

Equally important was the personal transformation. Coming from a low-income background, CC gave me the tools to navigate diverse and often challenging environments. It exposed me to peers from a wide range of backgrounds and perspectives, which mirrored the kinds of environments I would later face in the corporate world. That exposure, combined with the networks and social capital I developed, provided a platform for upward mobility — opening doors, expanding my worldview, and preparing me for leadership opportunities. In short, CC gave me the intellectual foundation, personal resilience, and social capital to succeed and thrive well beyond college, which is why I consider it transformational.

CC: What career did you pursue and why?

KS: Candidly, I stumbled into insurance. After graduating from Colorado College, I began my career as an insurance underwriter through on-campus interviews. That first role opened the door to more than 30 years of opportunity in sales, management, and executive leadership positions across insurance brokerage and financial services. While I didn’t set out to pursue insurance, my liberal arts education proved to be an ideal foundation for a career in risk management and consulting. The discipline of critical thinking, the ability to communicate clearly, and the grounding in ethical judgment that I gained at CC have been essential in navigating complex client needs, leading teams, and helping organizations manage uncertainty. The flexibility of my education has allowed me to grow and adapt throughout my career.

CC: You’ve been on the Board of Trustees since 2019. What influenced your decision to pursue involvement with the Board?

KS: Frankly, my relationship with the College wasn’t always smooth. When the football program was cancelled, I was disappointed and even stopped giving for a while. But after moving to Washington, D.C., I was invited to join the Alumni Association Council, which became a turning point. Reengaging reminded me of what Colorado College meant to me, and, over time, I stepped into leadership roles — first chairing the Governance Committee, then serving as president of the Alumni Association, which gave me an ex-officio seat on the Board of Trustees. In my second year, I was asked to lead the Governance Committee, a role I held for four years. That experience prepared me to step into broader leadership, and ultimately to be selected as Chair of the Board. It has been a full-circle journey, and I’m deeply honored to serve my alma mater in this capacity.

CC: What is the role of the Board Chair and what are your top priorities?

KS: As chair of the Board of Trustees, my role is to guide the board in close partnership with the president, ensuring that our work directly supports students — empowering them with the resources, opportunities, and education they need to thrive at Colorado College and beyond. A key measure of success will be how effectively we support presidential priorities and strengthen areas vital to CC’s future.

My top priorities include:

• Supporting presidential leadership and advancing the strategic vision for the College.
• Enhancing alumni engagement, particularly improving alumni giving, where we currently trail our peers.
• Strengthening shared governance and stakeholder engagement, building trust and collaboration across the CC community.
• Ensuring institutional strength by aligning resources and modernizing systems to sustain excellence.

Together, these priorities reflect our commitment to positioning Colorado College for long-term success.

Samuel has served on the Board of Trustees since 2019, most recently chairing the Governance Committee. He has been deeply engaged with the College as an alum and previously served as President of the Colorado College Alumni Association Council. Read his full CC bio and learn more about the work of the Board of Trustees.