NASCA Press Release: Heather Velasquez Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient
For Immediate Release
May 22, 2025
Contact: Elizabeth Whitehouse, Executive Director, executivedirector@nasca.org
NASCA Press Release: Heather Velasquez Announced as 20 Under 40 Award Recipient
Denver, CO — The National Association of State Chief Administrators (NASCA) proudly announces Heather Velasquez, Deputy Director of Administration at the Colorado Department of Personnel & Administration (DPA), as a NASCA 2025 20 Under 40 winner. This prestigious award recognizes 20 outstanding individuals from across the country for their exceptional contributions to state government.
Velasquez’s commitment to improving government services and strategic initiatives has been instrumental to Colorado’s success in enhancing agency operations. Previously, Velasquez served in the Office of Governor Jared Polis as the Director of Recovery & Strategic Initiatives and the Deputy Director of Operations. She also held several leadership positions within the Colorado Department of Human Services.
Tobin Follenweider, Deputy Executive Director at the Colorado Department of Personnel and Administration, commended the positive impact of Velasquez’s work.
“Heather has ensured the success of many critical efforts including Colorado’s COVID response, the creation of the Government Operations and Cabinet Affairs office, the implementation of the State recovery plan, renegotiation of the State’s labor union contract, and advancing skilled-based hiring and statewide performance initiatives.”
Governor Jared Polis of Colorado also recognized Velasquez’s accomplishments.
“Congratulations to Heather Velasquez for demonstrating the importance of cross sector collaboration in creating meaningful impactful work here in Colorado. By creating avenues where the public and private sector can work together to save people money, and boost initiatives to strengthen our Colorado for all."
Prior to her career in state government, Velasquez worked in elementary education and private sector financial accounting. She is an alumna of the University of Colorado Boulder’s Leeds School of Business, earning dual degrees in finance and marketing. Velasquez is currently completing her Executive Juris Doctor Degree at Purdue University Global.
Founded in 1976, NASCA is the nation’s only nonpartisan, nonprofit organization serving chief administrative officers or CAOs. NASCA provides a forum for state chief administrative officers to exchange information and learn new ideas from each other and private sector partners. NASCA engages states in transforming government operations through shared knowledge, operational excellence, and thought leadership.
For more information on NASCA, please visit NASCA.org.
