Delta Dental of Colorado President and CEO Kate Paul will retire in the first quarter of 2017, she  announced on Monday, June 13.

"I have had the honor of serving an extraordinary organization," Paul said. "Now is the  time for a new president and CEO to take this organization to the next level."

Paul will continue to lead Delta Dental through early 2017, as the company performs a n ational search for her replacement.

The board is seeking a strong leader to continue the company's strategic direction,  including efforts to modernize, to develop innovative products, and to educate s ubscribers on the importance of oral health.

During her tenure, the company achieved substantial growth in its membership, positive

operating gains, improved business operations, and developed a workforce culture that

attracts and retains top talent. But it is the advancement of the nonprofit insurer's mission

to improve the oral health of Coloradans that is the biggest source of pride for Paul, she

said.

"Our dedication to our nonprofit mission has allowed us to develop and support efforts

that are making a real difference in people's lives," Paul said. "We have shown we can

improve the quality of life of Coloradans by helping them improve their oral health. There

is no greater reward than knowing you made a positive impact in people's lives."

To read the full announcement, please click here.

Delta Dental of Colorado Marketing Director

Participates  in the Vail Valley Business Forum

Later this month, Vail Valley Partnership, in collaboration with Vail Symposium, will host a four-part Vail Valley Business Forum Series that will focus on issues impacting the region, communities, businesses, and citizens. The first program to kick off the series is the high cost of health insurance in the Rocky Mountain Resort Region. Kathy Jacoby, marketing director for Delta Dental of Colorado, will participate as a panelist. 

H ealth care access and costs are typically second only to affordable housing as pain points for local businesses and employees. Jacoby, who leads Delta Dental of Colorado's Annual Small Business Health Benefits Survey, says that "our small business survey has helped us understand the challenges employers face, especially in the mountain region. This event is a great opportunity for us to continue that dialogue."

Click here for more information on the Vail Valley Business Forum series.

Delta Dental of Colorado is tapping into Colorado's long, proud tradition of entrepreneurship and invention by offering grants of up to $50,000 to  improve the oral health of the state.  The Delta Dental of Colorado Innovation Grants program, in its second year, will offer up to $200,000 in grants to Colorado-based organizations and individuals to develop and test the best, most cutting-edge ideas and approaches to improve the oral health of Colorado.

Anyone in Colorado with an innovative idea to improve oral health across the state can apply for a grant of $5,000 to $50,000. 

To be considered grant proposals must:

• Originate in Colorado - Out-of-state applications will not be accepted.
• Demonstrate innovation - Delta Dental seeks to support the newest, untested, cutting-edge ideas and approaches to oral health here in Colorado.
• Be impactful - Winning ideas will advance the field of oral health in a meaningful way in Colorado.

Proposals can address any one of the many oral health challenges facing the state. These can include innovations that address quality of care; new medical technologies; oral health literacy; enhancing patients' dental experience; dental practice efficiency; integrating oral health and overall healthcare services; and increasing attention to prevention and/or early intervention. 

Watch our website for grant applications. They will be due August 1, 2016.