Forever a Part of our Story: Honoring Emily Bustos
It is with deep sadness that we share the news that Emily Bustos, former CEO of Denver’s Early Childhood Council, passed away in September.
Emily was a founding staff member of Denver’s Early Childhood Council, joining in 2008. She led the Council’s organizational and governance transition from fiscal sponsorship to a 501(c)3 nonprofit in 2011. For many years, she was instrumental in our organization’s growth and success.
Prior to joining the Council, she served as Deputy Site Coordinator for Making Connections-Denver, a placed-based community change initiative of the Annie E. Casey Foundation with a focus on family economic success, school readiness and resident leadership development in struggling communities. Emily worked closely with local communities to build capacity and facilitate systems change efforts.
She earned a B.A. in Urban Design and Architecture from New York University, and a Master of Urban and Regional Planning (MURP) degree from the University of Colorado at Denver. She was also a member of the Governing Board of Directors of The Gathering Place – a Refuge for Rebuilding Lives.
Many of you knew Emily as an intrepid, action-oriented leader of the Council. Under her leadership, the Council implemented and grew new initiatives with federal Race to the Top innovation grant funding, developed the funding and infrastructure for staffing the Early Childhood Council Leadership Alliance, acquired the Rocky Mountain Early Childhood Conference and established it as a long-standing program of Denver’s Early Childhood Council, served as a leading partner in LAUNCH Together Southwest Denver, and collaborated on many other local and state initiatives to advance equity and access for children and families.
Emily chaired the organization’s policy committee, often providing testimony and guidance at the State Capitol, among many other accomplishments. She led with a quick wit, a dry sense of humor, humility, and a generous heart. We have many fond memories of Emily and know the Council was incredibly dear to her heart. She is leaving behind an amazing legacy in the ECE community. Our heartfelt condolences go out to Emily’s family and loved ones during this difficult time.
Her family has planned a Celebration of Life gathering for friends, coworkers, and family members to reconnect and share stories about Emily and her amazing legacy. It will be on Saturday, October 25th from 1-3pm at The Wright Room downtown (535 16th St Mall #240, Denver, CO 80202).
You can find information and leave condolences at https://www.monarchsociety.com/obituary/emily-mootz.