Trena Marsal

COO

Denver Public Schools

Trena has proudly served in Denver Public Schools (DPS) for 25 years. She started in DPS after working for a local environmental firm and performing her own sub-contracting environmental work. Her career in DPS began in 1999 as an Environmental Specialist and shortly thereafter she became the Chief of Maintenance Engineering and Deputy Director of Maintenance. She went on to serve as the Director of Operations and Maintenance and served as the Executive Director of Facility Management for 15 years. In that role, she managed more than 16 million square feet of facilities, over 900 employees, and a
portfolio valued at over $8 billion dollars. She currently serves as the DPS Chief of Operations (COO) leading a team of over 2500 employees.

Among the notable and many achievements over Trena’s career, has been leading the development of the DPS Sustainability Program (this program led to a BOE Ends policy), she laid the foundation and implemented smart building technology, played a key leadership role in supporting the development, design, and vision for the Learning Landscape Program, and in establishing DPS “Guiding Principles” for School Building Design. She implemented a strategic plan which led to a Facility Condition Assessment (FCA) which will set a “solid foundation” for building systems and the creation of an Asset Management Program, a Best in Class Professional Development Program and improved maintenance efficiencies by
more effective use of data. Her vision led to the development of a Safety Program that significantly decreased workplace accidents and incidents and has produced a safer workforce, saved on dollars, and increased productivity. She played a key leadership role by facilitating the market analysis and disparity study which led to the ability to implement today’s Diversity “goals” Program. She has led operational and strategic planning and development of several successful Bond and Mil levy programs throughout her career. She believes in “Putting Students First” and partnered with students to establish the first “Menstrual Care” Program in Denver Public Schools. She established and led many continuous improvement programs and equity-based programs within Facility Management and continually focuses on data-informed decision-making, best practices, and the professional growth and development of her team. She values partnerships and community and currently serves on the Denver Parks and Recreation Board. She served on the African American Equity Task Force/co-lead for the Family and Community Engagement subcommittee and served after that on the Wisdom Team. She served on the Mayor’s Developers Advisory Group and has actively participated as part of a Strategic Team with the Council of Great City Schools and participated on the Superintendent’s Transition Team. Trena received her Bachelor of Science in Environmental Safety and Health, a Master of Management, and a Master of Business Administration w/Human Resources. She is a certified executive coach, completed the IEI/Howard University Lead Program for Aspiring Superintendents, Harvard Business School Public Education Leadership Project, and is a member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. She has 4 children, loves to travel, write poetry, and is a “foodie.”