About Patricia Barela Rivera

Patricia Barela Rivera is President and Owner of PBR Solutions. A consulting firm that specializes in small business advisor/coaching, strategic planning, governmental and public policy consulting, creative marketing, community & public affairs and leadership development.


2008 - 1997 - U.S. Small Business Administration, District Director in the State of Colorado for eleven years.  She was responsible for and managed the implementation of key economic and outreach programs committed to providing quality customer-oriented, full-service programs and information to the Colorado small business community, lenders, resource partners, and the minority and women’s communities. The main focus was to assist small businesses in their formation and growth in order to be a key part of the state’s economy. Under her direction, the Colorado District Office received several SBA national awards and recognition, such as “The Administrator’s Award for Excellence for the Greatest Increase in Emerging Markets”.  Her office was one of the top SBA offices in the country in reference to helping small businesses.

1997 – 1994 - Director for Citizen Advocacy and Outreach in the Governor’s office. She managed the Governor’s Advocate Office which was the primary constituent/citizen services office for the State of Colorado. She oversaw statewide community outreach programs and special projects.  Oversaw the Governor’s Diversity Plan which was the nation’s first plan ever developed at the state level. 


1994 - 1991 - Deputy Director for the State of Colorado Department of Local Affairs. Governor’s appointee - she oversaw key economic development initiatives, such as the Minority and Women’s Business offices, International/Economic Development Office, the Motion and Picture TV Commission.  Was also the Governor’s representative at various statewide public functions, specifically in the minority and women’s community.

1991 - 1985 - President/Owner of PBR & Associates Inc., a successful management consulting and training firm. Nationally known for her motivational, professional development seminars and keynote addresses. Particularly in the areas of leadership, diversity issues, management, human resources and strategic planning for small businesses and the public and private sectors.

1985 – 1979 - Regional Civil Rights/EEO Specialist, U.S. Forest Service  

1979 – 1974 - Regional Management Trainer, Office of Personnel Management, Rocky Mountain Region. 

1974 – 1970 - Career & Placement Director, University of Albuquerque 

Education:  University of New Mexico – Business Administration

                     Harvard University – Leadership Institute

BOARDS/COMMISSIONS/NON-PROFIT BOARDS:

  • 2024, President, Colorado Hispanic History & Educational Foundation 501©3

  • 2023, AARP State Council

  • 2023, El Pomar Foundation, Metro Regional Council

  • 2023, America 150 Colorado Historical Council, Advisory

  • 2022 & 2021, World Denver, Co-Chair, International Women’s Day Luncheon

  • 2022, CLLARO, Latino Action Council

  • 2021, Board of Directors, World Denver 

  • 2021, University of Northern Colorado, Governor’s Appointment, Board of Trustees

  • 2019, City of Denver, Career Service Board, Mayoral Appointment (6 years)

  • 2018, Governor’s Transition Team

  • 2016, Denver Art Museum, Latino Community Advisory Council, (8 years)

  • 2012, Co-founder of American Dream Political Action Committee

  • 2012, Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

  • 2012, Board of Directors, Black Chamber of Commerce

  • 2010, Co-Founder, Progressive Women of Colorado

  • 2010, Board of Directors, Denver Biennial of the Americas

  • 2010, Board of Directors, National Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico

  • 2009, Board Member, Colorado Ethics Business Advisory Board

  • 2009, President’s Community Advisory Council, Solera National Bank

  • 2008, Board Member, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Station

  • 2008, Denver Zoo Board of Directors, Mayoral Appointee

  • 2008, Board of Directors, Rocky Mountain, Public Broadcasting Station

  • 2008, Board of Directors, Colorado Scholarship Coalition

  • 2006, Board of Directors, Junior Achievement

  • 2006, Board of Directors, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • 2006, Board of Directors, Johnson & Wales University, Community Leadership Institute

  • 2006, President’s Community Advisory Board, Denver Museum of Nature and Science

  • 2005, Latino Advisory Board, Better Business Bureau 

  • 2005, City of Denver, Mayoral Appointee – Development Review/Permitting Board

  • Board Member, Centro San Juan Diego Community Advisory Board

  • Board Trustee, Denver Museum of Nature & Science (13 years)

  • Board Member, Kempe Foundation Board

  • Board Member, Channel 9 “Who Cares”

  • Board Member, Denver Heath

  • Board Member, Denver Safehouse

  • Advisory Board Member, Denver Broncos Minority Advisory Council

  • Advisory Board Member, Rocky Mountain Export Council

  • Advisory Board Member, Denver Foundation, Inclusiveness Initiative Committee

  • Community Advisory Board, Tiffany & Company

  • Co-Founder/Creator, Adelante Mujer, Hispana Conference, first National Hispanic Women’s Conference in the U.S. (National model in cooperation with the Dept. Labor, Women’s Bureau)

AWARDS AND COMMENDATIONS

  • 2025, Denver Business Journal, Business Lifetime Achievement Award

  • 2023, Emerge Colorado, Founding Mothers & Trailblazer Award

  • 2022, Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame Award

  • 2019, The Madrina Award, Latinas Honoring Latinas, Latina Safehouse

  • 2013, KeyBank Achieve Award

  • 2013, Trail Blazer Award, Latina 1st Foundation

  • 2013, Civil Rights Award, Anti-Defamation League

  • 2012, 25 Most Influential Women in Denver, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

  • 2010, Professional Women of the Year, Gay & Lesbian Chamber of Commerce

  • 2009, Martin Luther King, Jr., Business Social Responsibility Award

  • 2008, Board Member, Rocky Mountain Public Broadcasting Station

  • 2008, Lifetime Achievement Award, Escuela Tlatelolco

  • 2008, Outstanding Leadership Award, Vote No on 46 Campaign

  • 2008, Lifetime Achievement Award, Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • 2008, Lifetime Achievement Award, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

  • 2007, Be Bold Award, Denver Women’s Foundation

  • 2007, Athena Award Recipient, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

  • 2007, Leadership in Business Award, Black Economic Summit Annual Conference

  • 2007, SBA District Director -Key Jobs in Denver Article – 5280 Magazine

  • 2006, SBA Administrator’s Award for Excellence

  • 2005, Acknowledged for accomplishments in the Congressional Record for “Superior SBA Goal Achievement and Management.”

  • 2005, Feature Cover Story, CORE Magazine

  • 2004, Feature Cover Story, Colorado Biz Magazine

  • Acknowledged twice in the House of Representatives – Congressional Record for Excellence in Community Service

  • “Who’s Who in Denver Business” for four years – Denver Business Journal

  • Denver Hispanic Chamber of Commerce “Pioneer Award” 1st Hispanic woman SBA District Director in the U.S.

  • “Bernie Valdez Self Sufficiency Award”, Latin American Research & Service    Agency (LARASA)

  • Small Business Development Center, (SBDC) Director’s Award

  • “Woman of Distinction” Girl Scouts of America

  • “20th Century Woman”, Colorado Women News Magazine

  •  “100 Most Influential Hispanics in the United States”, Hispanic Business Magazine

  • “Volunteer of the Year Award” Hispanic Annual Salute

  •  “Martin Luther King, Jr. Humanitarian Award”, City of Denver

  •  “Hispanic Who Makes A Difference” , Visiones Magazine

  • Feature cover story “SBA Colorado District Director”, Zenith Magazine

  • Feature story in “Leading the Way”, Emerging Markets Magazine

  • Businesswoman of the Year, U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

  • National Leadership Award, National Hispanic Bar Association

  • Featured guest/speaker on the Phil Donahue Show, national TV talk show

Patricia Barela Rivera