Degree(s): BA Political Science, Chemistry
Professional background, interests and expertise: Erik Estrada is both the General Counsel of the Level 3 Foundation, Inc., a Colorado nonprofit corporation and a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization, and a
Senior Corporate Counsel for Level 3 Communications, Inc., a Fortune 500 company. Prior to joining Level 3, Erik was a Corporate Attorney at Davis Graham & Stubbs LLP where he focused on securities law, M&A law, nonprofit law, contract law, intellectual property law, and corporate governance.
Before graduating from law school, Erik served as the sole Program Officer for the Boettcher Foundation, which has assets of approximately $350 million, and as a Trustee, Program Director, and Senior Fellow for the El Pomar Foundation, one of the nation’s largest private foundations that has assets of approximately $550 million. While at El Pomar Foundation, Erik directed the nation’s second largest youth grant-making program, called El Pomar Youth in Community Service (EPYCS), and led a team of 12 staff members. He presently serves or has served on the Boards of Directors for the El Pomar Foundation, Colorado Center on Law & Policy, Community Resource Center, Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment’s Tony Grampsas Fund (appointed by Governor Bill Ritter), and the University of Colorado Alumni Association. Erik is also a member of the University of Denver Sturm College of Law Alumni Council, and served on the Annie E. Casey Foundation’s Talent Management and Leadership Development Committee.
Erik has served as an Adjunct Professor at both the University of Denver and the University of Colorado. In 2015, Erik received both the “40 Under 40” award from the Denver Business Journal and the Outstanding Lecturer in Public Administration award from the University of Colorado School of Public Affairs. In 2016, Erik was inducted into the inaugural class of the Colorado Governors Fellowship Program, which is based on the best-selling book, Leadocracy, and engages both business and nonprofit leaders in Colorado public policy matters.
Hours available for mentoring per month: 2
Best professional advice: Being a lawyer is a rewarding profession that offers many different career opportunities.