December 1, 2022

CU names Radovich Piper as senior vice president for external relations and strategy

Danielle Radovich Piper

Radovich Piper

DENVER — University of Colorado President Todd Saliman has named veteran policy strategist Danielle Radovich Piper as senior vice president for external relations and strategy for CU’s system administration. She will begin her duties on Jan. 3.

The newly created position, funded after Saliman eliminated two senior-level administrative jobs, will be responsible for coordinating and advancing external efforts for the four-campus university system in communications, marketing, government relations, fundraising support operations, and outreach and engagement. Radovich Piper will also work closely with the CU Board of Regents in addressing shared priorities with the administration.

“Danielle has substantial experience as a coalition builder and a problem solver with deep experience in Colorado and beyond,” Saliman said. “She will be a great addition to the dedicated team of people working to ensure CU continues to meet its mission of serving our state’s students and communities.”

Radovich Piper is chief of staff for Congressman Ed Perlmutter, a position she has held since 2007. Perlmutter is retiring from Congress.

“Danielle has been my Chief of Staff, trusted adviser, and right-hand person for more than two decades. She has led my team in management, communications, personnel and policy, and is respected by her peers,” Perlmutter said. “She was especially helpful in work we’ve done for the University and across the four campuses. As a Double Buff, I can say there is no one better suited for this job. President Saliman and the CU Team will benefit from her leadership and management skills and are lucky to have her.”

Radovich Piper said she looks forward to bringing her skills honed in public policy and constituent engagement to CU.

“I am incredibly excited to join President Saliman and the entire University of Colorado system team,” said Radovich Piper. “I look forward to bringing my passion of solving complex problems by building coalitions and bringing communities together to further CU’s goals to be a university for all of Colorado. I am confident I will bring experience, relationships, a fresh perspective and strategic ideas.”

Radovich Piper will lead one half of a restructured administration in the President’s Office that will have an overlapping focus on external relations and internal operations. Current Senior Vice President for Internal Operations and Chief of Staff Leonard Dinegar will oversee internal operations, including information technology, procurement, employee services and the Office of Policy and Efficiency. Saliman made the change to foster efficiency and collaboration among units of CU’s system administration. He eliminated two unfilled executive-level positions and redirected the funding to the new structure, making it revenue neutral.

“I’m excited for CU and Danielle as she takes the lead in working with community, education and business leaders across Colorado. Danielle has been a longtime friend and trusted partner for decades and I am confident she will surpass any expectations and lead a team committed to a mission of educating our next generation of leaders,” said Hollie Velasquez Horvath, Regional Vice President, State Affairs and Community Relations, Xcel Energy.

Before serving as Rep. Perlmutter’s chief of staff, Radovich Piper was chief of staff for the Senate Majority in the Colorado General Assembly. She was also an associate at a Denver-based public affairs firm. She has been appointed to several state-level entities, including the Supreme Court Nominating Commission and the Census Outreach Grant Committee.

Radovich Piper earned a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Colorado State University.

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