Biographies

Keynote Speaker, Gary Striewski

SportsCenter anchor & ESPN studio-host

Since joining in 2018, Striewski has been a fixture for ESPN digital and studio shows. Continuing his hosting responsibilities for SportsCenter, Striewski will maintain his weekday role on the 7 a.m. ET edition of the signature news and information program alongside co-host Randy Scott.

“We are thrilled that Gary will continue with ESPN and SportsCenter for the coming years,” said Maria Soares, Senior Vice President, Production and Content Strategy. “As we continue to evolve SportsCenter, Gary is an essential part of how we grow across platforms and with different audiences. We love what he brings to our team.”

During his years at ESPN, Striewski has also served as a host for SportsCenter on Snapchat, an extension of ESPN’s flagship franchise and the first ever-daily sports show on the platform. Striewski will also continue his hosting duties for popular podcasts and digital shows like The Elle Duncan Show, The Kickoff, Hoop Streams, Formula 1 pre- and post-race shows and more.

“My last six years at ESPN have been a dream realized ever since I was in sixth grade. It’s written in my yearbook. It’s been an amazing experience being part of the group helping lead the next generation of sports fans,” said Striewski. “From Snapchat to Sportscenter and every platform in between, I’m looking forward to staying the course for many more years to come.”

Prior to joining ESPN in March 2018, Striewski most notably served as the Boston Red Sox sideline reporter for NESN. He has also previously held roles as sports reporter and anchor for KPRC in Houston, Tex., sports anchor for CBS Northern Colorado 5, and sports director for KGWN in Cheyenne, Wyo.

“Everybody wanted to know what would happen if I didn’t get a contract renewal. I guess we’ll never know,” said Striewski.

Malcolm Evans

Managing Director — Commercial Banking for Wintrust Bank

Malcolm serves as Managing Director—Commercial Banking for Wintrust Bank. In that role, Malcolm works with private equity firms, operating companies (including contractors, service providers and health care providers) with revenues in excess of $10 million and not-for-profits with contributions in excess of $1 million. In addition, Malcolm is responsible for expanding and managing the Denver-based commercial banking team for Wintrust Bank.

Prior to joining Wintrust, Malcolm served as SVP/Senior Relationship Manager with UMB Bank from 2015-2022 where he was responsible for business development and portfolio management of middle-market corporate banking clients primarily in Colorado, Utah and New Mexico.

Additionally, Malcolm served as Vice President and Senior Vice President Commercial Banking with Zions Bancorp (dba Vectra Bank Colorado) and BBVA Compass Bank (PNC).  

Malcolm began his banking career in 1987 with Central Bank & Trust in Monroe, LA, as a part-time teller while enrolled at the University of Louisiana at Monroe, where he graduated cum laude with a Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Commercial Banking and a minor in Economics. In 1989, he accepted an Assistant Branch Manager position with Union National Bank in Little Rock, AR. In 1991, he became an Associate National Bank Examiner with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC).

Malcolm is actively involved in the Denver Metro-community, serving as Chair of the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce since 2016 and Chair of Rocky Mountain Immigrant Advocacy Network (RMIAN) since 2021. Malcolm was appointed to the 5-member Small Business Recovery Oversight Board by Governor Polis in 2023. Additionally, Malcolm was appointed to the Denver Public Library Commission in 2024 by Denver Mayor Mike Johnston. Other board involvement includes serving as board member and treasurer of RTL Foundation.  Malcolm and his wife Joi have been married for the past 24 years. In their free time they enjoy traveling, Nuggets games, and spending time with friends and family.

Blair Lee

Director — Marketing & Communications at CSU

Known online as @TheHigherEdCreative, Blair Lee is an award-winning higher ed creative strategist, administrator, and professor. By day, he leads marketing and public affairs at Colorado State University (CSU), Colorado’s only land-grant institution, where he leverages over a decade of experience across both the higher education and the ed-tech space. Blair was recently recognized as a 2025 Denver Business Journal 40 Under 40 honoree. He remains dedicated to democratizing the post-secondary education landscape and is committed to creating greater avenues of access in the learning ecosystem. A proud two-time alumnus of the University of Baltimore, where he earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees, Blair is currently pursuing his PhD at CSU within the Department of Journalism and Media Communication. Mr. Lee writes frequently on institutional access, student success initiatives, and funding disparities in higher ed. A proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha, Fraternity Inc.,he’s endlessly inspired by all things aviation.

Dr. David Humphrey

Assistant Vice Chancellor — Leadership Support & Programming at CU Boulder

David Louis Humphrey Jr., Ph.D., serves as Assistant Vice Chancellor for Leadership Support and Programming at the University of Colorado, Boulder, where he provides strategic leadership to strengthen campus-wide collaboration, foster meaningful engagement, and advance initiatives that cultivate a thriving institutional environment. His research and praxis lie at the intersection of curriculum theory, BlackCrit, womanist traditions, and critical approaches to organizational development and change—informing his commitment to equity-driven institutional transformation.

Dr. Humphrey holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Alabama A&M University, a Master of Divinity from Liberty University, and a master’s degree in educational leadership from Eastern Michigan University. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Studies, with a cognate in Critical Education and Policy Studies, from Ball State University.

Tim Hernández

Educator & Civil Servant

Tim Hernández is a teacher, community organizer, and Chicano from the Northside of Denver. He currently represents the Northside and Westside of Denver. He is the first member of Gen Z to serve in the Colorado House, and a committed fighter for fully funded public schools, attainable and affordable housing, and preventing gun violence.