Terri Brncic

After graduating from UC Berkeley, I moved to San Francisco where I started my career in public accounting. With a CPA in hand, I spent the next 20 years working in senior finance positions for various venture-backed healthcare and life sciences related start-ups, several of which I led through successful IPO or acquisition. In 2015, I moved to Boulder and currently run my own fractional CFO consulting practice.

I am passionate about community involvement. Last year, in response to concerns about public safety, I joined a group of parents to put the ‘Safe Zones 4 Kids’ initiative on the ballot, which passed by a resounding majority. This experience served as the catalyst for my run for Boulder City Council, and while I lost (by 45 votes!), I saw the power of grassroots democracy and the exceptional - and inspiring - level of engagement in our Boulder community.

My advice to students...

The most crucial piece of advice I can offer as a leader is to eliminate the word ‘somebody’ from your vocabulary. When you find yourself thinking, “Somebody should really do something about this,” stop and ask yourself who that somebody is. A true leader recognizes that to make change, you have to be willing to step up. Leadership isn’t about waiting for others to act; it’s about being the 'somebody' who leads the way. So, when you see a challenge, ask yourself: “What can I do?” - and then do it. Not only is it incredibly empowering to act, but it also inspires others to join you in creating meaningful change.