MEET OUR TEAM

Graves is the former Managing Director of Partnerships and Innovation for the University of Colorado Denver where he oversaw real estate, innovation and partnership strategy for the university as a Cabinet official. During his tenure, he created a vision and proposal for the development of an open innovation district in downtown Denver that was designed to spark new companies, create public-private partnerships, advance tech-savvy workforce development strategies, and drive social impact. He also brokered partnerships with Apple, Denver International Airport, Outside Interactive, Inc and cultivated nearly $5M in federal funding and private sponsorship - advancing issues like artificial intelligence, quantum computing and entrepreneurial Ecosystems.

Prior to his service as a Cabinet official for the university, Anthony spent seven years as a mayoral appointed executive in the City and County of Denver, covering regional affairs for the mayor and external affairs for the economic development agency. In those roles, he managed high-value economic relationships and brokered agreements with neighboring jurisdictions. He was part of the team that helped to expand Denver International Airport and lay the groundwork for the National Western Center development in Denver and served on the boards of the Denver Regional Council of Governments (DRCOG) and the Metro Mayors Caucus.

Before his leadership roles in city government, Anthony was an accomplished public affairs executive for Denver’s tourism industry where he crafted strategies to grow state tourism funding. He has provided counsel on public engagement strategies for global events like Denver’s bids for the 2026/2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games, and the 2026 World Cup.

Committed to civic engagement and good governance, Graves has more than two decades of board experience serving non-profit boards; and an advisory board for a publicly traded company. He has served on numerous board committees, including Finance and Audit, Nominating and Governance,Compensation, Executive Search, and Executive. Most recently, Anthony was appointed to the Mayoral Transition Committee for Denver International Airport, the largest economic engine in the region; and he joined the national Advisory Board for Huntington Bank in 2023.

Anthony earned an International MBA from the University of Denver, a BA in History from DePauw University and a Certificate in Economic Development from the University of Oklahoma's Economic Development Institute (OU EDI). He is an active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI), and previously served on the University Development and Innovation Product Council, and as a visiting consultant for ULI’s Advisory Services program. Early in his career, Anthony was honored as; a Ron Brown Fellow by the U.S. Department of Commerce, a Marshall Memorial Fellow sponsored by the German Marshall Fund of the United States and received the Community Service Award and Alumni Wall of Honor bestowed by the Chancellor at the University of Denver.

Anthony, his wife Sakari and their middle-school-aged daughter Kinley enjoy reading together, running 5K’s and participating in family game nights.