Anthony Graves

Biographie: Anthony E. Graves is the Principal of GRAVES CIVIC SOLUTIONS (GCS), a boutique consulting practice focused on economic development and public affairs strategies for organizations navigating large-scale real estate development and innovation projects. Anthony helps organizations create a comprehensive vision for development and public engagement, organizes stakeholders around the project, brainstorms financial and activation partnerships, and forges win-win community solutions. A public affairs and economic development executive, Graves has more than 20 years of experience creating strategies to help organizations enhance their relationships with critical stakeholders, build a positive community brand, and advance economic growth. An exceptional facilitator recognized across different sectors for his ability to bring diverse audiences together, he helps resolve complicated issues and strategize about emerging trends in the marketplace and the potential of the built environment. He is a conduit between corporations, local, state and federal governments, higher ed institutions, and non-profit organizations. An active member of the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and a former member of the University Development and Innovation Council for ULI, Graves has attended ULI conferences and toured real estate development projects across the U.S. and has participated as a former sponsor of a ULI Advisory Services Panel (ASP) in Denver, CO. Graves is the former Managing Director of Partnerships and Innovation for the University of Colorado Denver where he led the development of CU Denver's partnership strategy and 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. During his time at the university, he brokered partnerships with Apple, Denver International Airport, Outside Interactive, Inc and cultivated nearly $5M in federal funding and private sponsorship. Prior to his service as a Cabinet official for the university, Anthony spent seven years as a mayoralappointed 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. Prior to his service 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 is regularly sought after to provide 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 MBA in International Business from University of Denver, a BA in History from DePauw University and a Certificate in Economic Development from the Oklahoma University Economic Development Institute (OU EDI). Anthony, his wife Sakari and their 10-year-old daughter Kinley enjoy reading together, running 5K’s and participating in family game nights.