A moment of transformation often begins with a single connection. For Elycia Cook, President and Chief Executive Officer of Big Brothers Big Sisters Colorado, these moments are not occasional—they are the heartbeat of her work. Her career has been devoted to amplifying the potential of young people by investing in relationships that empower, protect, and uplift. Over the past three years, she has led the organization through a redefinition of service, scale, and purpose.
Cook didn’t walk into a legacy nonprofit to preserve tradition—she stepped in to evolve it. Her leadership has been marked by bold pivots, including deeper community collaborations, restructuring for efficiency, and the strategic elevation of diversity-centered initiatives. In doing so, she ensured that the mission remained anchored while the methods grew more adaptive.
Instead of framing change as risk, Cook views it as responsibility. That’s how Big Brothers Big Sisters Colorado entered its next chapter—stronger, more inclusive, and positioned to meet the complexities of youth development today. For Cook, service is not an extracurricular—it’s an ecosystem. She wove mentorship, equity, and measurable outcomes into the fabric of daily operations.
Last year, she launched Black Girl Magic CEO, a mentorship initiative for a cohort of new black women chief executive officers in the Big Brothers Big Sisters national network of agencies. It is an intentional space for leadership cultivation and emotional resilience. The initiative stands as a blueprint for how organizations can expand their impact beyond their walls, and it’s emblematic of how Cook measures success: through the opportunities created for others.
Her most significant leadership lesson this year? To actively listen—especially when it’s difficult. Cook recognized that true progress comes from humility, and that listening to staff, youth, and families with empathy uncovers truths that strategy alone cannot. This mindset led to more participatory planning, renewed trust, and innovative responses to evolving community needs.
Cook keeps her passion for the mission ignited by immersing herself in the outcomes. Whether witnessing a first-generation college student succeed, or hearing a young mentee articulate a vision for their future, she finds daily reminders that the work matters. And she ensures her team sees these wins, too, because purpose multiplies when shared.
As a Second-Year Titan 100 Honoree, Cook credits the platform for expanding her circle of impact. It has enabled her to form alliances with fellow leaders, exchange ideas across sectors, and model leadership that is both empathetic and strategic. The honor reinforces her belief that excellence and equity are not mutually exclusive—they are mutually necessary.
In her view, preparing the next generation of Titans means creating environments where they are seen, challenged, and celebrated. Through mentorship, targeted programming, and policy advocacy, Cook is cultivating a new lineage of leaders—ones who lead with courage, compassion, and clarity.
Cook doesn’t just lead Big Brothers Big Sisters Colorado—she redefines what leadership means in the social impact space. Her story is one of connection, transformation, and purpose, told through every young life her organization touches.
