BOULDER — Silicon Flatirons, a University of Colorado-affiliated group that fosters conversations among technology entrepreneurs, legal professionals, students and lawmakers, is in the market for a new leader as Brad Bernthal, the organization’s executive director since late 2021 and a longtime CU law professor, intends to leave the university after the upcoming fall semester.
“My intent is that, bureaucratic processes permitting, Fall 2025 will be my final semester at CU Law. Post academic retirement, a second career in sports psychology awaits,” he wrote in a letter emailed last week to the Silicon Flatirons community. “I will continue to serve as Executive Director until the position is filled. We hope the new leader will join by the outset of the Fall 2025 semester.”
Bernthal, who has expertise in startups, entrepreneurial law and early-stage finance, has worked with Silicon Flatirons since 2005. He took over as interim executive director after Amie Stepanovich left in late 2021 for a new job in Washington, D.C. The interim tag was removed soon after.
“I took a one year position as Silicon Flatirons’ first Fellow, working for Phil Weiser, back in 2005. If you took the ‘over’ on my time at Colorado Law, you win,” Benthal’s email said. “Twenty years on, I am grateful for an amazing set of experiences. Teaching students is a privilege. Helping build up the entrepreneurial community is among the most satisfying projects of my career. And it has genuinely been a joy to lead Silicon Flatirons over the past three years (depending on how you count it — two as full-time, one as interim). This is the best job I’ve ever had.”
