2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Program
2014 Business Leader of the Year Award Recipient Jan Erickson
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The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce welcomes you to its 22nd Anniversary Celebration & 2015 Accolades Business Leader of the Year Award Luncheon Presented by Ent Federal Credit Union Today’s Program SCWCC Foundation Silent Auction Introductions & Sponsor Recognitions Keynote Remarks Annual Award Winners Named Business Leader of the Year Award Presented Speakers & Presenters Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler / Keynote Remarks Kimberly Price / FOX21News Anchor & Emcee Lola Woloch / SCWCC Executive Director Jan Weiland / SCWCC Founder 1993 Cass Mullane / SCWCC President 2015 Jan Erickson / 2014 Accolades Winner Thanks to Event Sponsors Presenting / Ent Federal Credit Union......16 Gold / CenturyLink.......................................2 Gold / KXRM FOX21.....................................15 Gold / Colorado College...............................5 Gold / Regional Business Alliance...............7 Media / CS Business Journal......................11 Silver / Luisa Graff Jewelers.......................13 Silver / US Bank..........................................14 Bronze Sponsors........................................14 Media / FOX21 News...................................14 Award Support & Creative Susan Helmich Designs Liz Anderson, ProForma Peak Marketing KPB Printing Special thanks to KXRM’s James Doyle Muller, Marketing Brand Manager, for video production and Kristin Sokolowski, Commercial Producer, for added photography and graphic services. Photography: headshot photos supplied by nominators, provided by subjects, obtained from public sources, or courtesy CSBJ. Cover: From 2014 event images, courtesy Wendy Pearce Nelson | Blue Fox Photography Accolades Committee Co-chairs: Gina Kaiser & Jon Khoury Kristin Lutwack, Linda Mojer, Lola Woloch Publication edited, designed & produced by Linda Mojer ~ With Substance, Inc.
Welcome to the 22nd Annual Accolades Award Luncheon! We’re so glad you joined us here at the Garden of the Gods Club to celebrate remarkable women who consistently serve our community. The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce and the SCWCC Foundation congratulate all the award nominees! It’s an exciting time for the Women’s Chamber. We continue to build on our core strengths, our passions and fresh ideas. One of the strengths of the Women’s Chamber is that we are in service ... to each other, to our membership and to our community. As a result, we are benefitting from greatly expanding spheres of influence and are seeing a much bigger role for the Women’s Chamber. We are attracting attention not just locally, but also regionally. We have asked what it is that you need, what we can do to support you and what we can do to elevate the impact of the Chamber. And we’ve listened. In the next 12 months, you’ll see exciting strategic developments in our membership base, in our programming and in the ways we connect with and serve our community. You’ll see a broader reach among women in business and those who interact with us. You’ll see an active, engaged Women’s Chamber that performs at many levels, from responding to the needs of individual members to engaging in issues affecting all women in business. So, ask yourself how you are serving your community. If an active role in the Women’s Chamber is an interesting option for you, talk to either one of us, or to any Board member, about how we can collaborate to further expand our impact in our community. Consider membership in the Women’s Chamber. Consider serving on a committee. Consider bringing your time, talent and treasure to the organization to support our vision of creating a strong economic community and connecting women and business. We will welcome you as you join us in heartily celebrating the successes of women in business. Here’s to taking action!
Cass Mullane | President, SCWCC Board of Directors (2014-2015) Business and Accountability Coach, Prosper Creatively, LLC
Lola Woloch SCWCC Executive Director
2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Celebration • 3
Featured Speakers
Dr. Jill Tiefenthaler became Colorado College’s 13th president in 2011 and immediately began an extensive strategic planning process, which included a “Year of Listening,” to hear from students, faculty, staff, community members, and hundreds of alumni and parents nationwide about their aspirations for the college. Her work with the community and Board of Trustees finalized that strategic plan, which continues to focus on supporting engaged teaching and learning, strengthening the college’s definition and profile as a distinctive place of learning, and extending the reach of the college. Dr. Tiefenthaler’s remarks today will address the trending servant-leadership approach, which is manifested by those who lead by lending their talents toward the betterment of any larger community, rather than simply one’s self. A servantleader helps their particular community succeed through a commitment to the growth of people. That means communication – both by being accessible, available and listening, as well as being responsive. In a culture where we are often told that the best leaders are constantly multi-tasking and in high demand, being truly present isn’t the norm. But that trait is essential for servant leadership, so it requires that you create a new culture in your own business environment. Dr. Tiefenthaler will share a few words of caution, as well as some firsthand accounts of success by servant-leaders she has known along the way. A leading scholar in the field of the economics of higher education, Dr. Tiefenthaler is regularly called on to speak about the value of the liberal arts. Her essay on the economic challenges for liberal arts colleges appears in “Remaking College: Innovation and the Liberal Arts” (Johns Hopkins University Press, October 2013), and she has offered her expertise on this issue in numerous presentations across the country. Her talks on the importance of the liberal arts includes a speech entitled “Innovation and Collaboration: A Liberal Arts Education as a Catalyst for New Ideas,” which she delivered to several universities throughout China. As professor of economics at the college, she regularly teaches a block class on the economics Today’s emcee is Kimberly Price, who anchors the awardof higher education.
winning FOX21 Morning News every weekday from 5 – 9 a.m.
After receiving her Ph.D. in economics from Duke University, she joined the faculty of Colgate University in 1991, also serving as department chair, associate dean of the faculty, and senior adviser to the president. Before becoming president of Colorado College, she served as provost and professor of economics at Wake Forest University, where she led the implementation of the university’s strategic plan and key initiatives, including diversity in admission, establishing new models for enhanced interdisciplinary research and collaboration, and integrating the university’s undergraduate and graduate business schools. President Tiefenthaler is originally from Iowa, where she grew up on a farm and worked for her family’s popcorn business before attending Saint Mary’s College in South Bend, Indiana. She is married to Kevin Rask, a research professor in economics at Colorado College. They have two teenaged children, Olivia and Owen.
A veteran newscaster, she has been anchoring and reporting in Southern Colorado for more than 18 years and has been honored with numerous Edward R. Murrow, Colorado Broadcasters and Associated Press awards. She received her B.A. in Communications with an emphasis in Broadcast Journalism from California State University-Fullerton. Before that, she spent two years studying abroad at the American University in Paris, France. Kimberly started her career in broadcasting at KFDX in Wichita Falls, Texas. From there she moved to Colorado Springs to anchor at KKTV, where she spent more than a decade. She is proud to call Southern Colorado her home.
4 • Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 22nd Anniversary
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www.coloradocollege.edu2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Celebration • 5
Member of the Year Nominees
Young Professional of the Year Nominees
Donna Campanelli Guardian Solutions
Robin McPeek All in Social Media
Sarada Connors
Lauren Graham
Betsy Clark Core Strengths Strategies
Felicia Kelly
6 • Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 22nd Anniversary
Special thanks to Liz Anderson and Proforma Peak Marketing, for sponsoring the 2015 Annual Awards
Terry Zarsky Pikes Peak Library District
strong businesses for a strong economy The Business Alliance works to promote a healthy and vibrant economy while protecting and advancing the interests of member investors and the community as a whole. Exceptional networking and events are targeted to businesses of all sizes. Winner of the 2014 & 2015 Best Networking Events by Colorado Springs Business Journal voters
To learn more, contact Steve Kearney at 719.884.4511 www.csrba.com “The Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance is proud to partner with the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce in support of women in business. We extend our congratulations to the nominees for the 2015 Accolades Business Leader of the Year.” Debbie Chandler, Chairman of the Board Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance 2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Celebration • 7
Congratulations to 2015 Nominees for
Halle Friedman CEO & Founder, Robert Andrews Medical Aesthetics
Linda Mojer President / Owner With Substance, Inc.
Halle proudly served her country for over 20 years in both Active Duty and as a Reservist in the United States Air Force. She has worked in a number of leadership positions, including the Air Force Surgeon General Staff and Operations Manager for the Emergency Department of Memorial Hospital in Colorado Springs.
Since becoming an area resident in 1990, Linda has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to the business community and the women who shape it. Aside from her own entrepreneurship, her advocacy of non-profit and small business enterprise was instrumental in the landmark success of the Women’s Chamber in its 20th anniversary year.
Her in-depth medical career includes the following certifications; Certified Emergency Nurse, Pediatric Trauma Nurse, Pediatric Advanced Life Support and Advanced Medial Aesthetics Nursing from the National Laser Institute.
Throughout her tenure as SCWCC’s first Executive Director, the organization realized substantial membership and revenue growth while creating new opportunities, standing and visibility in the region.
Halle’s background and life experience is very broad and she prides herself in seeing the big picture in life. She remains deeply involved in her profession and relentlessly pursues growing her business.
Over a 30-year career as a writer and editor, Linda has upheld the ethics and integrity of her profession’s standards for her clients, and applies the same principles to her volunteer work and elected service as a Director on the D11 Board of Education.
Carol O’Donnell Owner / Partner O’Donnell & O’Donnell Carol is a 1975 graduate of St. Mary’s High School and of Blair Business School. She has served on the Board of Directors of the St. Mary’s High School Alumni Association and worked on research to develop databases for fundraising events that have raised millions of dollars for the school. She worked at Northern National Bank for 20 years, ending that career as the assistant to the Bank President. She joined her husband John, 18 years ago, as a partner in O’Donnell & O’Donnell, which specializes in designing and building large community events and fundraising for school bond and mill levy campaigns. As a partner in the business she has worked on numerous community events for more than 30 years and, as a Mom, raised two Palmer High School graduates, John and Kaleigh.
ACCOLADES RECIPIENTS … ? TO BE NAMED ! (2015) … Jan Erickson (2014) … Kathy Boe (2013) … Lynne Telford (2012) … Megan Harmon (2011) … Zelna Joseph (2010) … Stephannie Finley (2009) … Joy Love (2008) … C.J. Moore (2007) … Sallie Clark (2006) … 8 • Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 22nd Anniversary
Accolades Business Leader of the Year
Tiffiny Pieper Vice President Pre-School Operations, Diakonia
Trudy Strewler-Hodges CEO, Pikes Peak Community Foundation
Kelly Terrien President / CEO Summit Technical Solutions
Tiffiny has excellent leadership, management and communication skills that allow her to form lasting relationships with the local Directors of each Diakonia preschool, and she doesn’t stop when the school day is over. She constantly checks on the needs of the families, advocates for her students and tirelessly ensures a top-notch curriculum worthy of any private school.
For 26 years, Trudy was Executive Director for CASA, launching their program in Colorado Springs. Her business acumen created a long-term business vision that solidified the non-profit’s success, increased its stakeholder investments and created a model that provides sustainability. In that role, she collaborated with the for-profit community, government and other nonprofits.
Four of the preschools are in low to moderate income areas and over 60% of students need assistance. Tiffiny built a great team of educators and administrators that created a well-run and respected preschool for those who might not otherwise have the opportunity to attend.
Highly accomplished in organizational leadership, aligning business goals, board strategies, and implementation, she is a well-qualified change agent in organizational restructure and efficiency management.
Before founding STS, Kelly Terrien spent 10 years in the Air Force and Army Reserves followed by seven years at ITT Corporation as a Communications Engineer and Program Manager. She holds an Associate in Arts Degree from the Community College of the Air Force in Electronics Systems Technology, a Bachelor’s Degree in Management Information Systems from the University of Maryland and received her MBA with an emphasis in Telecommunications from Webster University.
Through her leadership, 74 children graduated the program in May and will go on to Kindergarten with more confidence and skills to succeed.
She is respected for her leadership, program development, and structuring of community collaborations. In January, she joined Pikes Peak Community Foundation as CEO. She is a lifelong learner and holds a number of degrees and certifications.
In 2011, she was selected and nationally recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) as the Colorado State Small Business Person of the Year. The SBA recognized Kelly for her leadership, commitment to excellence and strategic entrepreneurship. In June, STS was awarded the American Legion Department of Colorado’s Employer of Veterans Award.
Mary Lou Makepeace (2005) … Martha Barton (2004) … Donna Bertram (2003) … Jan Weiland (2002) … Debbie Shackelford (2001) … Renita Wolf (2000) … Laura Muir (1999) … Sandy Taylor (1998) … Debra Siverson (1997) … Karen Delorenzo (1996) … Mary K. Helsaple (1995) … DeeDee LeGrand (1994) ... 2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Celebration • 9
SCWCC Board of Directors & Staff
Cass Mullane | President Prosper Creatively
Candy Vandenberg | President Elect, Ent Federal Credit Union
Terza Ekholm | Secretary The TerZa Factor
Mark Bittle CenturyLink
Patrice Christian TransAmerica Financial
Donna Evans Colorado Women’s Chamber
Lisa Fistani Ent Federal Credit Union
Gina Kaiser Kaiser Advertising
SCWCC Board Presidents Cass Mullane.............. 2014-15 Meredith Masse.......... 2012-13 Beth Kelly................... 2010-11 Leslie Eldridge............ 2006-09 Lynda Carmichael....... 2004-06 Judi Lakin.................. 2002-03 Brenda Quinones........ 2001-02 Mary Pearsall............. 2000-01 Kim Woolf Jackson..... 1999-00 Jan Fisher.................. 1998-99 Anne Schnabel........... 1997-98 Cathy Skiles............... 1996-97 Marilyn Newell........... 1995-96 Leslie Schwager......... 1994-95 Jan Weiland.................... 1993
Jon Khoury Cottonwood Center for the Arts
Kristin Lutwack KXRM FOX21 News
10 • Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 22nd Anniversary
Lola Woloch Executive Director
Now & Then & Again Herself the 2002 Business Leader of the Year honoree, Jan Weiland has long been the driving force behind the Accolades award program. In addition to her own successful career, she has the distinction of having founded both the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce in 1993, and the SCWCC Foundation in 2005. Over the years, she has continued to guide and shape both organizations – often from the sidelines, but always with an unshakable commitment to women in business. A newcomer to the area in 1993, Jan had approached the Colorado Springs Chamber of Commerce to float the idea of forming a Women’s Chamber. Although that response was lukewarm, she’d already begun making connections with other womenowned businesses, companies and supportive area politicians. An exploratory meeting was called, a survey to identify unmet needs developed, alliances formed and paperwork filed. She was determined and moved quickly, always keeping a high profile at community events by introducing herself as “President of the Women’s Chamber.” The SCWCC was incorporated in April of that same year.
Read the CSBJ each week and be the most powerful woman in the room.
At the ten-year mark, the organization reexamined its structure, revised its bylaws and expanded opportunities for women to promote their businesses. Multi-year Presidential terms were established, staff was hired, a website was launched and programs flourished. In year 15, the SCWCC Board of Directors adopted a Policy Governance model and secured its first Executive Director. In the leadup to year 20, the organization enjoyed ten-fold outreach, steady and sustained growth, tripled membership, and doubled revenues. Looking forward, the SCWCC has now moved into its third decade with renewed commitment, young professional enthusiasm, strategic partnerships, widening perspectives, and a new Executive Director. Through all that, Jan Weiland has remained pivotal to that growth, by supporting the many outstanding businesswomen that have stepped up to lead the organization. Today, Jan continues to enlist the aid of a core group of SCWCC Past Presidents to conduct the review of Accolades nominees and name each new Business Leader of the Year. We thank her again today for those decades of worthwhile endeavor!
~Francis Bacon
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2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Celebration • 11
Corporate & Business Member Investors Corporate Members Brookdale Skyline | Angela Spence brookdale.com CenturyLink | Mark Bittle centurylink.com Garden of the Gods Club & Resort Laura Neumann gardenofthegodsclub.com US Bank | Connie Gonser usbank.com
Business Members
Allstate Insurance........................................................ Cally O’Donnell (719) 596-8800..................allstateagencies.com/CODonnell/Welcome Antlers..........................................................................Cheyenne Motto (719) 955-6209..................................................................... antlers.com Blakely + Company.......................................................Camille Blakely (719) 630-3133.....................................................BlakelyCompany.com Cherokee Metropolitan District ..................................Manuel Ortega (719) 597-5080......................................................... cherokeemetro.org Cintas Fire Protection.....................................................Crystal Jones (719) 359-4577....................................................................... cintas.com Colorado Springs Business Journal.............................. Jenifer Furda (719) 634-5905.......................................................................... csbj.com Colorado Springs Utilities................................................Susan Presti (719) 448-4800............................................................................. csu.org Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce..................Donna Evans 303-458-0220............................................................................ cwcc.org Doubletree by Hilton.............................................. Stephanie Howard (719) 527-4601.............................................. doubletreecosprings.com FOX21 News.................................................................. Kristin Lutwack (719) 434-3095..............................................................FOX21news.com Kaiser Permanente.................................................................CJ Moore (719) 867-2105...............................................................................kp.org Kum & Go............................................................................ Jon Renaud (515) 457-6000............................................................... kumandgo.com La Casita Mexican Grill....................................................Janet Sawyer (719) 578-1730.................................................... LaCasitaMexiGrill.com Lamar Outdoor Advertising...................................Vanessa Moorman (719) 473-4747....................................................................... lamar.com Mining Exchange.............................................................Shelby Pywell (719) 323-2000.............................................miningexchangehotel.com Morgan Stanley................................................................... Janis Cross (719) 633-1793................morganstanleybranch.com/coloradosprings Prosper Creatively........................................................... Cass Mullane (719) 471-2022....................................................prospercreatively.com The Shafer Group........................................................ Andrea LeDeaux (719) 487-1200.........................................................theshafergroup.net Univ. of Colorado at Colorado Springs...............Andreanna Romero (719) 255-8227.......................................................................... uccs.edu
The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber is a founding member of the Southern Colorado Business Partnership, which unites front range area Chambers and business organizations in cooperative action and advocacy. See the full list of partners at SouthernColoradoBusinessPartnership.com. 12 • Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 22nd Anniversary
The SCWCC Foundation is proud to be celebrating 10 years of success. Its mission is to promote the advancement of women through education, information exchange, partnerships, and alliances with other organizations promoting commerce. This mission is accomplished through two avenues: supporting women in formal education through the Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment (KPWE) and educating business women on the value of, and opportunity for, involvement in local nonprofits as community leaders. The SCWCC Foundation’s partnership with KPWE as its major fund recipient started in 2008 when Foundation members recognized the quality and effectiveness of the program. Since 2013 enough money has been raised on an annual basis to support a complete scholarship. Managed through the CU Foundation, the Karen Possehl Women’s Endowment provides opportunities for talented and deserving women to attend the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs (UCCS). These non-traditional women gain the freedom and confidence to invest their energies more fully in their coursework and to pursue experiences that enrich their personal development and career preparations. Scholars are recognized each spring at an Unstoppable Women award luncheon, on campus at UCCS. Our fundraising efforts for 2015 include the Accolades Silent Auction, raffling off a Downtown ‘Staycation’ Package and our Annual Fall Ask at a SCWCC monthly luncheon (with a generous matching donor). All proceeds of our fundraising efforts, including today’s Silent Auction, will support the 2016 KPWE scholarship. Thank you to all of the donors - both providing silent auction items and bidding on items today - who help make our Accolades Silent Auction a huge success.
2015 Board of Directors President: Tascha Yoder, Center for Powerful Living Secretary: Susan Presti, Colorado Springs Utilities Treasurer: Sheri Gagliardi, Ent Federal Credit Union Karen Burkhardt, Girl Scouts of Colorado Donna Campanelli, Guardian Solutions Patrice Christian, Transamerica Financial Advisors, Inc. Megan Harmon, The Eastern Colorado Bank Jon Renaud, Kum & Go Terry Zarsky, Pikes Peak Library District
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2015 SCWCC Accolades Award Celebration • 13
Accolades Presented by
Renewed Thanks to our Generous Sponsors Presenting Sponsor Ent Federal Credit Union
Gold Sponsors
Gold CenturyLink Colorado College Colorado Springs Regional Business Alliance FOX21 News Silver Luisa Graff Jewelers US Bank Bronze Adams Bank & Trust The Bridge & Inn at Garden Plaza Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Memorial Hospital / UC Health Murphy Constructors Olive Real Estate US Olympic Committee
Silver Sponsors
Media Colorado Springs Business Journal FOX21 News
The Accolades Business Leader of the Year receives a handcast sterling silver and 14kt yellow gold brooch inspired by the SCWCC logo. This outstanding piece of original jewelry art is created by Susan Helmich each year, and a contemporary re-design was issued in 2011 - which Susan very generously donated to that year’s lucky winner. Previous winners (beginning in 2002) received an earlier version, and the last of this limited edition series was presented in 2010, when the initial design was retired - leaving those with the first brooch in very exclusive company. Scan the room to see how many you can spot! 14 • Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 22nd Anniversary
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