Commissioner Teresa Kostenbauer

Teresa Kostenbauer
Commissioner

Parker, Colorado
Congressional District 4
Appointed July 2, 2024
Term Ends July 1, 2028

Teresa Kostenbauer is the Director of Career Advancement at CrossPurpose, a nonprofit focused on lifting individuals out of poverty through career and community development. In this role, she leads a team that builds employer partnerships, co-creates career pathways, and ensures program participants are equipped for meaningful, living-wage work.

Teresa is also the founder of Career Compass Community, where she supports individuals in their career journeys and helps organizations develop strategies to attract and retain early-career talent. Previously, she served as the University Relations Leader for Arrow Electronics in North America, where she launched a nationally recognized early-career program and created signature events including Arrow Career Day, the DU Case Competition, and the Colorado Career Connections Fair.

She is widely known for her expertise in strategic partnerships, global engagement, and developing initiatives that expand access and opportunity for emerging professionals.

A first-generation college graduate, Teresa holds a B.S. in Business Administration (Marketing) and an M.S. in Counseling from the University of Wyoming. Appointed by Governor Jared Polis, she represents Colorado’s 4th Congressional District as a Commissioner on the Colorado Commission on Higher Education. In 2025, she was appointed a Trustee for the Intermountain Health Front Range Regional Board, where she provides strategic guidance to support equitable and high-quality healthcare in Colorado.

She is passionate about creating systems that empower people, expand access, and foster belonging.