About
The Colorado Business Roundtable
Meet the Team
Debbie Brown
President
Debbie Brown serves as the President of the Colorado Business Roundtable. The Colorado Business Roundtable (COBRT) is a public policy organization of executives from some of the state’s largest employers working to strengthen the state’s economic vitality. COBRT engages with elected leaders, business and nonprofit leaders, and other strategic allies to improve the business climate in our state by amplifying the voice of business. COBRT is the state affiliate of the National Business Roundtable (BRT). Based in Washington, D.C., BRT is an association of chief executive officers of leading U.S. companies working to promote sound public policy and a thriving U.S. economy.
Previously, Brown was the President and founder of Amplify Strategies, a strategic communications and public policy consulting firm. Through Amplify Strategies, Debbie directed the strategy development, messaging, and marketing for businesses, nonprofit organizations, advocacy efforts and candidate campaigns of all sizes. She has created, launched and grown several businesses and organizations.
Debbie has been recognized as one of the Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Colorado by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and a Who’s Who in Energy by the Denver Business Journal. Debbie was recently added to the Advisory Council of the Women’s Democracy Network, established by the International Republican Institute, which believes that a full and robust democracy depends on the equal participation of women.
Erin Amsberry
Director of Communications
Erin Amsberry leads the strategic development and execution of marketing, communications, and events for the Colorado Business Roundtable. With a strong background in corporate and public policy communications strategy, Erin provides oversight of digital and traditional media outreach to amplify the voice of COBRT. She takes a multi-platform approach to engage key stakeholders and tell the story that business is a force for good. Prior to joining COBRT, Erin worked in communications roles for think tanks and issue advocacy organizations, including the American Enterprise Institute and the Institute for Energy Research in Washington, D.C., as well as for Kiewit, one of the largest engineering and construction companies in North America.
Erin received her B.A. in Political Science and Communications from Colorado Christian University. As a native Coloradan, she has a passion for companies and causes working to create economic opportunity across the state.
Nancy Stewart
Operations Manager
Nancy Stewart is a nonprofit consultant specializing in fundraising, grant writing, marketing, event planning, and management. A nonprofit professional with over 15 years of experience, Nancy was the Executive Director of Child Advocates – Denver CASA. In addition to overseeing the administration and operations of the organization, Nancy utilized her background in fundraising and volunteer management to increase revenue, volunteer recruitment and retention to achieve the organization’s mission to provide a CASA for every child in need in Denver. In 2014, Nancy took a giant step out of her comfort zone by buying an existing coffee shop, Drip Denver, and embarking on the new and challenging adventure of small business ownership.
In 2018, she sold the business, left her role at Denver CASA, and began working remotely as a contractor in order to travel. As “Working Tourists,” Nancy and her husband split their time between Colorado and Spain.
Nancy is a graduate of Metropolitan State College with a degree in Organizational Communications. She began her career in the hospitality industry, working in sales and conference services. Moving into the not-for-profit sector in 2001, Nancy planned conferences and events for the American Water Works Association, where she was introduced to the international water and sanitation organization Water For People. In 2004 she joined their fundraising staff, eventually leading the Development team. Nancy also worked for the March of Dimes as the Denver Division Director, was the VP of Community Relations for CU Cancer Center Fund and the Director of Development of Susan G. Komen Colorado.
Nancy has served on several professional and charitable boards, including the Colorado Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, where she served as chair of the mentoring committee. She has volunteered for a variety of organizations, including Denver Urban Scholars, Denver CASA, Susan G. Komen Colorado, Denver East High School, and the Golden Triangle Merchants Committee.
Kara Van Stralen
Government Relations Consultant
Kara van Stralen has extensive state and federal legislative and political expertise, having served in various roles in the U.S. Congress and in the State of Colorado for over 13 years. She is the founder of Vista Strategies, where she utilizes her public policy expertise to solve complex problems, working at the intersection of business and government. Previously, Kara served as Policy Director to Governor Jared Polis (D-CO). In that role, she managed a team of policy advisors to the Governor, participated in weekly Cabinet meetings, and took part in strategic planning for the state. As Policy Director, she assisted in drafting Executive Order D-2022-009 Accelerating Broadband Deployment in Colorado. From 2019-2021, Kara served as Chief of Staff to Congressman Mike Levin (D-CA), where she oversaw his work to improve veterans’ well-being and address climate change. She also held senior policy positions for Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH) and Cory Booker (D-NJ), where she worked across the aisle to bring several pieces of technology and transportation legislation to the President’s desk for signature, including the Connected Government Act (P.L. 115-114), the TICKETS Act, which was included in the 2018 Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization, and Emergency Information Improvement Act (P.L. 114-111), among others. Early in her career, Kara was policy staff for the House Energy and Commerce Committee under Ranking Member Henry Waxman (D-CA). Kara earned her bachelor’s degree in government from the University of Redlands and her master’s degree in legislative affairs from George Washington University. She is a graduate of the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation’s Leadership Denver program, class of 2024.
