About

About RMWDA


Established: 1999


Structure: Non-Profit Organization


Founded By: Colorado Workforce Directors 


Why:

  • Enhance workforce development efforts across Colorado
  • Facilitate regional collaboration and strategic alignment
  • Address workforce challenges with unified approaches
  • Promote knowledge sharing among local workforce areas

Purpose

Strengthen Colorado’s public workforce system by fostering collaboration, building professional capacity, and aligning regional and state efforts. We support workforce professionals and partners in delivering high-quality services that connect job seekers to meaningful employment and help businesses thrive.

Mission


Cultivate and maintain a dynamic, skills-focused talent development ecosystem that effectively addresses the evolving needs of employers, workers, job seekers, and learners both now and in the future.

Vision


Ensure that every employer in the Rocky Mountain region has access to a highly skilled workforce, and that every individual has the opportunity for meaningful employment, leading to both personal and regional economic prosperity.

Executive Team Roles


Tami Grant

President

Leads the RMWDA by setting strategic goals, overseeing initiatives, and ensuring that the organization’s mission and objectives are met. Represents RMWDA in external partnerships and promotes workforce development across the region.


Tami Grant has dedicated 27 years to serving communities across Weld County, with most of her career focused on Workforce Development. She spent six years as the Workforce Director and now serves as the Deputy Director of the Department of Human Services, where she advocates for and raises awareness about the importance of Workforce Development. Tami also serves as the president of the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association (RMWDA), is an appointed member of the Colorado Workforce Development Council (CWDC) and represents Colorado on the Board of Directors for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP).

Kelly Folks

Past President

Serves as an advisor to RMWDA, providing institutional knowledge and supporting the transition of new leadership. Offers guidance on strategic initiatives and continues to represent RMWDA in an advisory capacity.


Kelly Folks has over 25 years of experience working to develop programming specifically designed to serve the hardest-to-serve populations, with the past 22 years focused on the Workforce Development System. Kelly is currently the Director of the Division of Employment and Training for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment. Prior to that, she served as the Director of the Arapahoe/Douglas Works! Workforce Board/Center for 5 years.


Kelly is viewed as a leader at the local, regional, state, and national levels, focusing on developing human capital to ensure a positive impact on economic vitality. She has represented Colorado through technical assistance calls on system building and change, both in-state and across the country. Kelly serves on the Executive Team for the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association, is the Region 4 Liaison for the National Association of Workforce Boards and is the Vice-Chair for the Employment and Training Committee with NASWA. She previously served as the Region 8 Board Representative for the National Association of Workforce Development Professionals.



Before her work in workforce development, Kelly spent 5 years in the non-profit sector, where she focused on local community development initiatives. She is a Colorado native and a graduate of Metropolitan State University.

Tony Anderson

Vice President

Assists the President in strategic planning and implementation, stepping in when the President is unavailable. Supports organizational growth initiatives and helps maintain partnerships that further RMWDA’s mission.


As the Chief Workforce Development Officer at Denver Economic Development & Opportunity, Tony Anderson is at the forefront of shaping Denver’s workforce strategy. With an extensive background in workforce development and a keen insight into economic trends, Tony has dedicated his career to creating opportunities that drive sustainable economic growth and improve the livelihoods of individuals across the Denver community.


Tony’s expertise in strategic planning and program development, coupled with his passion for innovation, has led to the implementation of impactful workforce initiatives. He is known for his collaborative approach, working closely with local businesses, educational institutions, and policymakers to ensure that workforce development efforts are aligned with the needs of both employers and job seekers.



Under Tony’s leadership, Denver Economic Development and Opportunity has focused on nurturing a skilled and diverse talent pool, ready to meet the challenges of a rapidly evolving job market. His efforts in steering inclusive growth initiatives have been pivotal in promoting equity and providing pathways for all Denver residents to participate in the City’s economic prosperity.

Tanya Muniz

Treasurer & Event Coordinator

Oversees RMWDA’s financial health by managing budgets, handling financial transactions, and ensuring transparency in financial reporting. Plans and coordinates events to engage workforce professionals, build community, and promote RMWDA’s goals.



Tanya Muniz has over 15 years of experience in the workforce development system, specializing in workforce board development, sector partnerships, strategic planning, design and outreach, and labor market information to support workforce engagement across Colorado’s communities. For the past three years, she has focused on workforce initiatives in Colorado’s rural regions, working to strengthen engagement and service delivery in these areas. As the Workforce Engagement & Communications Manager for the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment’s (CDLE) Employment and Training Division, she leads strategic communication, digital design, and engagement initiatives that align with Colorado’s workforce development goals.


Tanya also serves as Treasurer and Event Planner for the Rocky Mountain Workforce Development Association (RMWDA), where she has coordinated events for the past 12 years to support workforce professionals statewide. She holds a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, and outside of work, she enjoys spending time outdoors with her family and pets, camping, and fishing.

Dawn Robards

Secretary

Records meeting minutes and notifies members of upcoming meetings, maintaining clear communication within RMWDA.


Dawn Robards has dedicated nearly 30 years to advancing workforce development across Colorado, bringing a wealth of experience and expertise to her role as Operations Administrator with the Colorado Rural Workforce Consortium, a position she has held since 2022. With deep roots in Colorado’s workforce development sector, Dawn has served in various capacities, including twelve years as the Eastern Workforce Director, three years with Arapahoe Douglas Works!, and three years with Denver County Workforce. Her career also spans roles as a Budget Analyst for the Colorado Department of Human Services and a Program Coordinator and Compliance Specialist with the Colorado Department of Labor and Employment.



A proud graduate of Metropolitan State University, Dawn holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Human Services and Psychology. She is a proud parent to two daughters, two bonus children, and one adorable grandson.  Outside of the office, she enjoys camping and volunteering with local Veterans organizations.

RMWDA Membership & Collaborations

Membership Comprises:


10 Directors from each local workforce area

Colorado Urban Workforce Alliance Director

Colorado Workforce Development Council Director

Colorado Department of Labor Director

Collaborates With:


National Association of Workforce Boards

(NAWB)

National Association of Workforce Development Professionals (NAWDP)

Colorado Department of Human Services



Colorado Department of Labor & Employment 


Economic Development Council of Colorado