Karam Ahmad Named to Denver Business Journal’s 40 Under 40
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
The Denver Business Journal recognized Karam H. Ahmad, Managing Director of Partnerships and Development at the Colorado Health Institute (CHI), as one of its 40 Under 40 for 2025. The annual award honors distinguished young professionals in the Denver area who are considered the region’s next generation of business leaders. Ahmad and 39 other winners were celebrated at an event March 13 in Glendale.
Ahmad joined CHI in 2017 and advanced to a director’s role in just five years. A long-time leader of CHI’s evaluation portfolio, Ahmad’s ability to build partnerships across sectors — philanthropy, business, public health, and policy — led to his promotion to managing director in 2025.
In 2022, he founded CHI’s Acclimate Colorado initiative to bring together organizations working to address climate and health issues. Driven by the understanding that climate change disproportionately impacts some communities, Ahmad secured philanthropic funding, built a portfolio of climate-related consulting work, and recruited community and government partners to inform its first major publication, Colorado’s Health and Climate Policy Agenda.
He also runs the Milbank Memorial Fund’s fellowship program, a 10-month nationwide program for senior state leaders in the executive and legislative branches. Ahmad has been a member of the National Network of Public Health Institutes Environmental Health and Climate Workgroup and is a sought-after speaker on climate, health, and adaptation.
"We’re thrilled to congratulate Karam on this well-deserved recognition,” said CHI President and CEO Sara Schmitt. “His dedication to improving health in Colorado reflects CHI’s mission of strengthening communities and systems through trusted analysis and collaborative solutions. His work embodies the impact we strive for every day, and we’re proud to celebrate this achievement.”
As a son of immigrants from Iraq and a first-generation Coloradan, Ahmad is passionate about the social determinants of health, environmental health, and the health of disproportionately impacted communities. Early in life, he learned how conflict, war, and environmental disasters had a devastating effect on communities, including his displaced family members in Iraq. His parents, who uprooted their lives for the safety of Colorado, gave him a lens for understanding how basic needs — such as clean air and water and a stable environment — can elevate one’s quality of life.
In addition to 40 Under 40, Ahmad was chosen for the 2025 class of Leadership Denver, one of the area’s most selective civic leadership and networking programs.
About CHI: The Colorado Health Institute is a nonprofit public health institute that works to improve the systems that influence people’s health and well-being. CHI provides resources for people seeking to make those systems more effective and equitable. We answer critical questions, make sense of complex issues, and support others to reach actionable solutions. Learn more about us.
Contact: Kristi Arellano
Managing Director, Marketing and Communications
720.382.7080, arellanok@coloradohealthinstitute.org