Barbara Grogan

Barbara Grogan’s perseverance and fortitude helped conquer gender barriers and make a lasting impact on women’s role in business. As an entrepreneur, Barbara has advanced her passion for social justice, and philanthropic service, mainly focused on childhood development and education in Colorado. Her decades of work have transformed business in Colorado and provided leadership opportunities for women developing the next generation of Colorado leaders.

 Grogan was born in St. Louis, Missouri, then permanently moved to Colorado when she studied at the University of Colorado at Boulder. When faced with adversity, in September 1982, Grogan launched her industrial construction company, Western Industrial Contractors Inc., where she proved her doubters wrong with dedication, strength, and problem-solving abilities to build a company from the ground up. Grogan showcased her entrepreneurial abilities to become one of the top business leaders in Colorado. In 1988, Grogan was honored by Industry Week, Time Magazine, and Fortune Magazine as a business owner. 

Meanwhile, Colorado’s economic advancement cannot be praised without naming Grogan, who played a pivotal role in its progress. Grogan was the founding Chair of the Denver Metro Small Business Development Center and aided Governor Roy Romer as the first Chair of the Small Business Advisory Council. In 1990, Grogan was named Colorado’s Women in Business Advocate of the Year. The well-deserved accolades kept coming, in 1990 Grogan was named Colorado’s Leading Entrepreneur by Entrepreneur Magazine and in 1991, Business Leader of ‘90s Award by the National Association of Women Business Owners, Colorado Chapter. 

Grogan wasn’t just admired for her professionalism but also for community service, which she learned from her father, who is Grogan’s role model. Barbara’s passion is making an impact in women’s education, and mental health, and constantly leading through different avenues. Leading by overcoming gender obstacles, in society, Grogan wasn’t done being a first when she twice became the first female Chairman of the Board of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, Denver Branch, and the Board of the Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce. 

Barbara also served on the Center for Workforce Preparedness board of directors, the United States Air Force Women Owned Business Council, Resolution Trust Corporation, Metropolitan State University vice chair and trustee, The Denver Foundation board of trustees, CollegeTrack board, Young Americans Bank and Education Foundation, University of Colorado Foundation, and the Denver Scholarship foundation.

Grogan never left a board unless it had more women on it than when she started. At the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, Grogan helped eliminate the philosophy of how a certain number of “slotted” seats were for women. 

 Since retirement, Grogan’s main focus has been continued community service, more specifically for the betterment of education. Grogan’s service efforts are at the national, state, and institutional levels. When asked about her community service and efforts to help women, Grogan replied, “It’s really been natural for me; it’s where my soul is fed. It’s the real work; it’s my real purpose on this Earth, and it gives me great joy.”