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Fueled by her passion for uplifting others and the need to find a new employee, Cathy Burds, CEO and Chief Cheerleader at Colographic, exemplifies “true grit” with a spit-fire spirit and can-do attitude. When she first connected with the ̽����ѡ in Denver last February, she had no idea that this introduction would ignite a ripple effect, leading to widespread industry changes and increased awareness of refugee hiring practices in Colorado.

Like many small business owners, Cathy faced a growing challenge in hiring and retaining employees. Finding individuals interested in staying long-term and building a career in the printing industry proved to be difficult, especially when most people were unfamiliar with the industry. After numerous hiring struggles, Cathy decided to explore alternative sources, with specific consideration of new immigrants in Colorado. She explains:

“I didn’t know where to start, so I set out by asking some good friends of mine from Sri Lanka and Japan.”

Through a series of referrals and introductions, Cathy connected with the ̽����ѡ in Denver, which set the wheels in motion for her and Colographic. Soon thereafter, she hired her first refugee employee, Marcos, from Cuba. Marcos quickly became a well-liked and valuable member of the Colographic team, overcoming language barriers and the challenges of learning a new industry and skill set. By using translation tools and fostering a positive, welcoming atmosphere, Cathy’s team fully embraced the diversity Marcos brought to the table.

 “We all agreed that we needed a little more culture around here,” 

she shares.

However, new challenges surfaced. Cathy explains: 

“Marcos wanted to get 3M and Avery certified, just like everyone else on the team, but the classes were only available in English.”

Unwilling to take no for an answer, Cathy picked up the phone and called Avery and 3M, even leveraging one against the other, until they both agreed to provide the necessary certification classes for Marcos - classes that were previously not offered in Spanish. She then flew Marcos, at her own expense, to Florida for these classes, ensuring he could receive the necessary certifications for his job. Since that time, classes taught in Spanish have become readily available in other cities, including Denver. As a result, not only did she aid Marcos’s integration into the printing industry, but she also broadened the industry’s reach into the Spanish-speaking market in Colorado and beyond.

Cathy was eager to share her employee success story with others. As a well-connected business woman across various industries within Colorado, she encouraged numerous business owners to consider adopting similar hiring practices. In doing so, Cathy immediately recognized a larger disconnect:

“Most people I spoke to assumed they [refugees] were illegals or without papers,” 

she says.

 “Others thought they were just another version of seasonal workers, which wasn’t what they wanted.”

Cathy was determined not to let these misconceptions stand, and she resolved to do whatever it took to change the narrative. Once again, tapping into her extensive professional network, Cathy collaborated with , an organization renowned for it's impactful work focused on inclusivity and social justice. Together, they organized a special event that took place December 5th at the ̽����ѡ in Denver's headquarters. The event brought together CEOs, business owners, and HR heads to discuss hiring refugees and the tax credits available.

“These women move mountains,” 

Cathy says proudly, reflecting the significant role Women in Sustainability have in this initiative. While Cathy is modest about her contributions, she was deeply involved in making phone calls, organizing and sponsoring food and drinks, and printing flyers and other materials for the event, all at her own expense.

“There are people like Marcos who need to work, and who want to work. They’re here, and we need to welcome them into our community,” 

she says, stressing the importance of integrating refugees to help them achieve better lives.

“There are a lot of misconceptions out there. We’re all learning as we go and trying to bridge that disconnect.”

Cathy's story demonstrates how one person can drive positive change and highlights the power of collective efforts. She has transformed her business and inspired broader industry and community changes, and by tackling misconceptions head-on and working with other business owners and organizations like Women in Sustainability, she truly embodies the saying, “It takes a village.”

Written by the ̽����ѡ in Denver's Development Intern Mariam Naibi.

Edited by the ̽����ѡ in Denver's Development and Engagement Manager Hanna Simmons.