CONNECTING& INSPIRINGWOMEN
FROM ROCK BOTTOM TO 8 FIGURES PAGE10
5
COMPANIES MOVING TO DENVER PAGE6
Our Favorite WINTERDESTINATIONS PAGE8
WOMEN OF DENVER QUARTERLY WINTER2018/2019
Pivotal Moments FROMDENVEREXECS PAGE22
www.TheWomenOfDenver.com
Letter Fromthe Founder What impact will you make? At the start of a new year, we often make choices to change ourselves by breaking bad habits or establishing healthier, new ones that help us performbetter. These goals and resolutions are often based on judgments we?ve placed on ourselves rather than the desire to make a difference in the world around us. For 2019, I challenge you to instead resolve to be impactful and build a strategy for how you will make a unique contribution to the world. Ask yourself these questions: How can you inspire others? Sometimes the greatest gift we can offer others is to show theman example of greatness. We all know a leader who inspired us to achieve; how can you be that person for someone else this year? Who can you help? Giving is one of the truest forms of empathy. Understanding what will help others and taking just a moment to put themfirst can make an immediate and powerful impact. Find opportunities to be a giver in your daily life, starting with the people closest to you. What?s your living legacy? Alegacy isn?t just for the dead. You can become a living legend in your community, making an impact on others that?s remembered even when you?re not around. Living legends stand authentically for what they believe in and take action to make change towards their goal. Consider your values or the causes that matter to you and actively advocate for what you believe in. Here?s to an impactful 2019.
Krystal Covington FOLLOW@KRYSTALGOLEAD Lynn Clark Portraits
2018/ 2019 WINTER QUARTERLY Editorial Contributors Angela Jackson Nicole Garman Bree Weber Phylecia Jones Chris Castillo Shahira Qudrat Krystal Covington Joce Blake Susan Golicic, PhD, CPIC Stephen Glitzer, CHC Jana Axline Jessica Hudgins Smith
Share your story: wodmag@thewomenofdenver.com
Copy Editor Rachel Donelson Publisher & Layout Designer Krystal Covington Magazine Committee Chairperson: Lynn Clark Susan Golicic Teddi Ann Barry, Esq. Angela Jackson Shauna Armitage Cyndi Stewart Janiece Rendon Tracy Revell
Find events and workshops: www.wodevents.org
Social Media facebook.com/Womenofdenver twitter.com/womenofdenver instagram.com/thewomenofdenver Subscriptions Join our annual subscription for $27. Visit WODMag.comto subscribe. Advertising For advertising inquiries contact Krystal@TheWomenofDenver.comor call 720-515-3078. Ads start at $150.
4 thewomenofdenver.com
Get Women of Denver swag: www.wodswagshop.com
WHAT'S INSIDE COVER STORY 10 | FromRock Bottomto 8 Figures: The Power of Radical Self-Care and Love by Bree Weber
LOCAL 6 | 5 Companies Moving to the Mile High City
10
by Angela Jackson 8 | 4 For the Road: Our Favorite Winter Destinations by Nicole Garman 30 | Celebrating 100 Years of Goodwill in Colorado and the Woman Who Started it all by Jessica Hudgins Smith
MONEY 12 | Do You Have What it Takes to Reach Financial Freedom? by Phylecia Jones 19 | The Wealth Equation for Executive Women
8
by Joce Blake
CAREER 20 | Attracting Millennials in a Job Seeker's Market by Chris Castillo 21 | Multi-America Women Represent by Shahira Qudrat
19
22 | Denver Executives Share Their Most Pivotal Career Moments by Krystal Covington 24 | Interviewing a Legend by Krystal Covington 26 | WODMember Feature: Teresa Adams by Joce Blake 29 | 8 Ways to Lose a Change Initiative by Jana Axline
LIFESTYLE 28 | 5 Ways to Fuel Your Physical Wellness Susan Golicic, PhD, CPICand Stephen Glitzer, CHC
24
5
COMPANIES MOVING TO THE MILE HIGH CITY
There?s no doubt life in Denver has its perks. This living, breathing metropolis has the Rocky Mountains for a backyard. Its healthy lifestyle and growing economy strengthens its reputation for being one of the best places to live?and work. There are several businesses moving their headquarters here because they recognize an opportunity. Here?s a look at just a few businesses coming our way. VFCorp. is a publicly traded outdoor apparel company that recently announced it plans to separate into two independent entities. The first will be called VFCorporation and the other is yet to be named. It is referred to as NewCo in the meantime. VFCorp. is the headquarters for global brands synonymous with outdoor living. Some of their brands you may know well and use whenever a hike or other adventure calls: The North Face, JanSport, Timberland and SmartWool. It made sense for themto set up shop close to the customers who use their products.
6 thewomenofdenver.com
?Colorado is an area with an unrivaled heritage and culture of outdoor and activitybased lifestyles, as well as a thriving business environment,?said Steve Rendle, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. Denver is a good fit for VFCorp not only for its culture, but it made good business sense in order to attract a high-level workforce also. ?We believe that the creation of our new headquarters in the area will help us to unlock collaboration across our outdoor brands, attract and retain talent, and accelerate innovation,?Rendle said.
In May 2018, the Colorado Office of Economic Development approved and offered the company a $10.5 million incentive to encourage the company to open an office here. Slack accepted, and the tech firmtold the state that it estimates its Denver hub would create up to 550 full-time jobs with an average salary of $107,975. Slack?s presence downtown will add to the numerous technology companies relocating to Denver.
Slack Corporation sees the value in Denver too. The San Francisco-based online collaboration company has signed a lease and is expected to move into the Lower Downtown area. If you take a quick glance on LinkedIn, you will see they have several positions to offer. In fact, they may have over 500.
Angela Jackson Freelance Journalist
ezCater opened its second office in Denver earlier this year. They state they are the only nationwide marketplace for business catering. Their model is to connect corporations with reliable catering to meet any culinary need. You would think with the word ?cater?in its name, everyone who worked there would be a great chef. However, the Boston-based company considers itself a tech company. They spent years improving their technology to connect corporate clients with a local catering service. ezCater selected Denver based on the city?s strong emergence as a technology center with a diverse and experienced talent pool. "Denver has great talent," said Stefania Mallett, CEOof ezCater. "We?re growing so fast that we had to open our Denver office to find enough of the insanely helpful people that our customers love." Funding Circle connects small businesses with investors who want to finance them. Funding Circle is becoming the leading global small business loans platformthat allows investors to lend to businesses looking for finance in the United States, UK, Germany and the Netherlands. Entrepreneurship and the presence of small businesses is ever increasing. Funding Circle?s growth motivated themto spread their wings and look for another place to call home. The management teamconsidered other areas but finally settled on the Mile High City. ?Denver has a great quality of life, low cost of living, and thriving tech and financial services industries fromwhich we can recruit candidates. We also considered things like how many direct flights there are to San Francisco and London, where we have large offices,?said Libby Morris, Funding Circle's Head of USLoan Operations who heads up the Denver office. Funding Circle looks to hire almost 300 people over the next two years to support its growing needs, and they are taking steps to make sure their workforce is diverse. ?Our mission at Funding Circle is to ?build a
better financial world,?and we recognize that we can only do this by being inclusive to a workforce fromall different backgrounds,? Morris said. One of their most active employee groups is Women@FC. This group is focused on making the company welcoming for women. They also have a partnership with BankWork$, a program that trains people fromdiverse backgrounds and communities for careers in financial services.
"Denver has a great quality of life, low cost of living, and thriving tech and financial services industries fromwhich we can recruit candidates. " Libby Morris, Funding Circle's Headof USLoanOperations
?Across the company, we pay close attention to building diverse teams, starting with how job descriptions are written to eliminate non-inclusive language, all the way through to unconscious bias training for all staff. We also offer unlimited vacation and flexible working hours, which helps support working parents,? Morris said. There are several benefits any company can hope to gain by hiring a diverse workforce. ?Awealth of research over the past decade consistently demonstrates that companies often experience many advantages and benefits when they hire and retain a more diverse and inclusive workforce,?said Lisa Christie, Senior Director of Communications for the Women?s Foundation of Colorado. Some of these advantages include improved operational and financial performance and increased innovation and group performance. Women in particular are more likely to build consensus and collaborate with colleagues, Christie explained. ?Hiring a diverse workforce doesn?t just make sense, it makes good business sense,?Christie said. Although some companies place priority on
hiring a diverse workforce, Elaine Marino, founder of Equili, a company whose mission is to build a more diverse tech community that levels the playing field for underrepresented or underutilized groups, says there is another piece to the puzzle. ?Hiring is a really narrow focus for solving the diversity problembecause it?s really an inclusion problem,?said Marino. ?My advice to companies is to track attrition and dive very deep into why the attrition is occurring.? ?If you solve for inclusion, diversity will follow,? Marino said. She said a good first step for that is to conduct exit interviews and ask those hard questions and not be afraid of the answers. So, what?s the best way to improve hiring diverse candidates overall? In Marino?s mind, it starts at the top with a diversified leadership. ?Women and people of color need to see themselves represented at the top. Companies that have representation have no problem receiving resumes from underrepresented candidates. They see themselves at the top and a path forward.? As new corporations continue to enter our dynamic Denver community, we hope to see a growing focus on prioritizing diversity and inclusion to continue making Denver a great place for women and minorities of all kind to thrive and grow their careers.
Fresh powder, hot springs, and backcountry adventures are just the beginning of our love affair with wintertime here in Colorado.
4
FOR THE ROAD OURFAVORITEWINTERDESTINATIONS Colorado welcomed 37.9 million overnight visitors in 2017, and we can?t blame them! This wild, winter-loving state is packed with amazing adventures, luxurious retreats, and all the magic of the Rocky Mountains. We polled the Women of Denver for their absolute favorite winter escapes, and they certainly delivered. Check out these fab four and get your bags packed; s?no joking around! Strawberry Park Hot Springs Steamboat, Colorado www.strawberryhotsprings.com
Just outside of world-famous Steamboat Springs with its champagne powder, the Strawberry Park Hot Springs offer natural relaxation, Colorado-style. The springs?rich mineral water bubbles at a balmy 104 degrees ? perfect for a soothing soak after a day on the slopes. The unique stone masonry and forested beauty of the park comes complete with rustic cabins and camping opportunities. For a real treat, indulge in water therapy or a private massage in a cozy hut right at the park. Hiking, biking, snowshoeing, and cross-country skiing trails are all located nearby in Routt National Forest, making for a great day-long outdoor excursion. And skiers and snowboarders rejoice ? Steamboat Springs and the Steamboat Ski Area are within a short shuttle trip or easy drive. Why we love it: Pure natural beauty and 100% authentic Colorado, Strawberry Hot Springs is one of the most spectacular mineral springs in the world. Before you go: The springs feature full changing and restroomamenities, but bring a picnic if you?re hungry. For the safety and comfort of the park, smoking, alcohol, and glass containers are prohibited. And please, leave the pups at home!
Nicole Garman, Lifestyle Writer nicole.l.garman@gmail.com 8 thewomenofdenver.com
Don?t miss: Treat yo?self with a Watsu (water-shiatsu) massage in the private pool at the springs. Calming, meditative, transformative, and one-of-a-kind.
10th Mountain Huts Aspen, Colorado www.huts.org The 34 backcountry huts of the 10th Mountain Division stretch over 350 miles of Rocky Mountain trails, all arranged in somewhat of a triangle between Vail, Aspen, and Leadville ? the highest city in the continental United States. Once used to teach soldiers critical skiing, shooting, and winter survival skills before setting off to brutal mountain country in Europe, the network averages routes of 6-7 miles. It climbs 1500-2500 feet in elevation froma trailhead at 8000 feet.
10 Mountain Huts Photo credit: Craig Hoffman
Why we love it: The huts and their trails hold a treasured place in Colorado history, and it?s hard to imagine a more authentic escape to the Rockies. If you?re seeking a genuine backcountry adventure, this is it. Before you go: The U.S. Forest Service requires that someone in every group must have leadership, route finding, avalanche awareness, and first aid skill training. Adetailed topographic map, a compass, and the ability to use themare absolute essentials. Don?t miss: Virgin backcountry snow; need we say more? Visitors to the 350-mile trail network linking the huts also enjoy fascinating bits of history by following these well-worn footsteps, and have been known to uncover quiet memories of military men that range fromfoxholes to ammunition boxes.
Crested Butte Mountain Resort Crested Butte, Colorado www.skicb.com
The Broadmoor Colorado Springs, Colorado www.broadmoor.com
Anything that you can do on snow, you can do at Crested Butte. 15 lifts, 121trails, and a feast of bowls, chutes, glades, and cliffs will thrill accomplished skiers and riders, and get this ? half of the terrain is well suited to beginners and intermediates, too! The sheer variety lends itself to countless activities beyond alpine turns. Get ready for cross-country skiing, backcountry snowcat-served adventures, sleigh and horseback rides, snowshoeing, ice skating, and so much more.
The towering, 779-roomBroadmoor boasts Italian Renaissance style and luxurious old world elegance ? and it?s attentively served guests for 100 years. The ?Grand Dame of the Rockies?was first built in 1918, and has hosted dignitaries, athletes, and celebrities of all sorts ever since.
And did we mention that you can use your Epic Pass, too? Why we love it: The beautiful, historic downtown is just 24 miles away fromAspen, and offers rustic authenticity you can only find in Colorado. World-class dining, fabulous lodges, and some of our favorite cocktails round out the snow-globe-style goodness. Before you go: Definitely check the mountain?s calendar and pass options before you get to town ? there are awesome deals to be had if you book tickets in advance, and you don?t want to miss any fun seasonal events! Don?t miss: Handy shuttles (affectionately dubbed ?art galleries on wheels?) run between town and mountain every 15 minutes, offering maximumopportunities to explore ? and a taste of local culture to boot.
Home to one of the first full-service spas in the United States, today the decadent destination offers a spa experience with over 100 services, 26 specialty shops, 20 distinct dining experiences, and its own stables for horseback riding. Why we love it: The culture, the history, the mountain air, muah! But let?s get Western here for a moment: at The Broadmoor, you can try your hand at mountain biking, horseback riding, archery, canoeing, kayaking, fly fishing, rock climbing, falconry, and full-on adventure and wilderness experiences ? all guided by experts. Before you go: Check into the schedule of events, specials, and celebrations set around the Broadmoor?s Centennial ? the venue is going all out for ?ACentury to Remember?with a new theme for every month of the year, in addition to the jam-packed regular schedule! Don?t miss: The Golden Bee Gastropub might just take you right back to 19th century England ? and for good reason. The pub was transferred panel-by-panel fromthe UKto Colorado Springs by founder Spencer Penrose.
thewomenofdenver.com 5
FROM ROCK BOTTOM
TO 8 FIGURES THEPOWEROFRADICAL SELF-CAREANDLOVE Broke, divorced, and grieving the loss of her young son who died during childbirth, Danette May had hit rock bottom. She had $47.63 in her bank account and no idea how to move forward. But to hear her tell it, her pain was her gift. Looking at her life on paper, you wouldn?t see that she?s known any pain at all. A#1bestselling author, former celebrity fitness trainer, and world-renowned motivational speaker, Danette runs a $20 million dollar business. She has built a strong personal brand from which she engages with 1.5 million followers. She?s a happily married, loving mother ? all in all, her life looks perfect. But less than 10 years ago, it was unraveling all around her. And she did something unexpected with all of trauma that life had thrown her way. She accepted it. Danette talks about her past as a series of choices. She chose not to be a victim. She chose to take 100% responsibility for her life. She chose to practice radical self-care. It?s radical because in this day in age, taking care of ourselves requires us to identify, acknowledge, and address shame. Brene Brown defines shame as ?the intensely painful feeling or experience of believing that we are flawed and therefore unworthy of love and belonging.?Addressing our shame requires us to examine the stories we tell ourselves. Danette first recognized her own stories after her losing first her son and then her marriage. She had been living on auto-pilot, flying down the path society had paved for her. It wasn?t until it all crumbled that she even realized the dishonesty in her relationships and lifestyle. Through uncovering those lies, she unintentionally discovered shame she had been hiding.
Bree Weber is a copywriter for thought leaders and personal brands. www.main.breeweber.com
I?mnot smart enough. I?mnot good enough. I?mnot enough. We feel shame for being too bright, too shiny, and too much. So, we lessen ourselves with subtle stories. I don?t need this. I don?t want that. This isn?t for me.
Danette talks about abundance as a 360° experience. It?s not just about success in one area, but having a positive mindset about what is possible in every arena of our lives. She spent a long time striving for work-life balance, without ever attaining it. That is, until she realized balance isn?t real. It?s just made up.
But choosing to take 100% responsibility for your life means taking control of how you react to the negative self-talk. It was fromthis responsibility ? doing the hard work, lots of falling down, learning frommistakes and getting back up ? that Danette discovered a small way to make big change.
?Freedom is not about fitting a specific idea of being an amazing business owner from 9 to 5, an amazing mother from 5 to 9, and an amazing lover from 9 to 11."
When you?re in the thick of it, entrenched in pain and feeling heartbroken or pessimistic, big changes feel insurmountable, but the little things might just be possible. Danette, found three pillars that changed her life and allowed her to begin healing: healing foods, healing movement, and a healing mindset. These micro changes turned into daily habits which developed into true healing. Within six months, Danette knew she had something powerful to share with the world. Healing your body and mind inevitably leads to soul work. Slowly, Danette began rewriting those stories she told herself ? and she?s still rewriting her stories. Though now, she?s helping millions of women do the same thing, through her latest book The Rise: An Unforgettable Journey of Self-Love, Forgiveness, and Transformation. She shares her own painful, yet inspiring story to show readers how they can manifest what is in their heart and lead a life of true abundance. Her mission has shifted since the three pillars, and gone deeper, and is clearly reflected in her book. The Rise doesn?t require you to start anywhere specific or arrive anywhere (ever). Any woman, anywhere, in any stage of her life can explore what it means to live her fullest expression: to be her brightest, shiny-est self. And on the way she?s creating a community of women who believe in abundance and are letting go of female competition and the scarcity mentality. It?s far too easy these days to consume only the highly curated images on Instagramand stories on Facebook. ?We?ve become accustomed to comparing ourselves against these collections instead of evaluating our own realities. We?ve all had experiences walking into an environment where we feel judged or disliked simply for being shiny, for being the best versions of ourselves. This is all shame.? Women only bring other women down when they don?t feel enough. Women mask this pain with alcohol, buying shoes, overworking, and being judgmental to others, among other things, but this is only temporary relief. But when we connect with each other to share that pain and help each other through it, we can all tap into abundance. We have sisters to fan our dreams and support us along the way, because we all deserve to have our community that have our back in darkness and the light.
Now, Danette doesn?t look for equilibrium. Instead, she plans her week around her non-negotiables: her two girls, her husband, eating something green, getting out into nature, and ?I AM?statements ? in that order. Because it all comes down to this: what you focus on expands. If you focus on the negative or feel like the world is against you, you?ll get more of that. If you focus on the good that is happening and visualize what you want to happen, that?s what you?ll see more of. And if you?re in the thick of it, Danette says, it?s hard to do those affirmations or feel positive. So, instead, start by moving your body. ?Turn on the music and have a dance party. Go out to the park and go for a walk. Movement is the sweeping of the cobwebs of the soul.? You can read more of Danette?s story in her book, The Rise available everywhere books are sold.
DO YOU HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TOREACH FINANCIAL FREEDOM? What exactly is financial freedom? Financial freedomis a buzz term, or rather a buzz achievement, that many Americans refer to as a milestone in their financial life. With a simple search of the internet, you can instantly find over 250 articles all with varying definitions of financial freedom. Some see it as quitting a job to travel the world or reaching early retirement to spend more time with family, while others see it as generating passive income through entrepreneurship or having a lot of money to buy whatever they want.
According to The Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies, most people believe they need $1million in order to retire comfortably but with the average fortysomething only having $63,000 saved, that goal can feel unachievable. So what will it take for you to reach financial freedom? The principles of reaching financial freedomare quite simple. It relies on your ability to prioritize your spending and save a lot of money. In order to reach this milestone, you will have to make it an absolute goal and do the following:
As you can see, it can be a bit difficult to define this coveted goal, but there?s a simple way to look at it. At its core, financial freedomis reaching a point in your finances where you have ?enough?in order to have the option to live more and work less.
Phylecia Jones, Budgetologist & Solopreneur Money Management Expert www.keepupwithmrsjones.com 12 thewomenofdenver.com
Define what financial freedom would like for you
Save more money
Since financial freedomlooks different for everyone, it?s up to you to determine what your life would look life if money was not an obstacle. Travel? Spending time with family? Starting a business? Launch a passion project? This is the time for you to dreamabout the life you want to live.
Unfortunately, there?s no way to put this lightly. You will need to save a lot of money in order to achieve financial freedom. Start maxing out your 401k, open an IRA, investigate other pre-tax saving options to get you on the right track. Learn how to invest and grow your money
Determine what is enough Based on the life you want to live, do some research to find out how much money it would take to get there. Connect with people living your dreamand find a well trusted CFP(Certified Financial Planner) to help you run the numbers. Get, and stay, out of debt Debt and financial freedomdon?t mix. The path to financial freedom requires getting rid of debt and never getting into it again. Create a debt repayment plan where you can track and pay off debt as quickly as possible. Master the art of managing a budget This is one of the best ways to stay on top of your finances to see what is coming in and what is going out. Budgeting may seemlike a chore, but once you put it on your calendar and stick to it, this will give you permission to live the life you want. Cut your expenses If you read any article on reaching financial freedom, it will always come back to cutting expenses. This is the moment where you will have to decide what stays and what goes. It?s a hard task, but revisit the first step. If you want the life of your dreams, you will have to be willing to make sacrifices and prioritize your spending along the way.
The key to having money to support your lifestyle during financial freedomis investing. Search for local investment clubs, classes, or workshops so that you can understand the many options available to building your wealth. While the average American household has a median savings balance of $4,830, according to The Motley Fool, financial freedomcan seem like a pipe dreamfor most, but it is absolutely achievable with a bit of work and focus. It doesn?t matter how much money you have; it really matters how much you value the money you have. Following the steps to reach a point where you have more options to live more and work less will require a dramatic shift in your mindset, your lifestyle, and how you view money. In short, achieving financial freedomwill require you to be consistently vigilant to reach a milestone that many can only dream about.
JANA AXLINE, MBA, PMP FOUNDER, CHIEF PROJECT OFFICER Founder and Chief Project Officer of Axline Solutions, a leading project management consulting firm, Jana Axline, MBA, PMP, ACP, CSM, SA, DTM, works with some of Colorado?s largest and most progressive firms. Jana?s expertise stems frommore than 20 years experience in leadership and 10 years in project and portfolio management in health insurance, healthcare, investing, mining, retail, and supply chain management. An internationally recognized speaker on leadership, employee engagement and project management, Jana serves as President of the Project Management Institute Mile Hi Chapter. She authored the book, ?Becoming You,?in 2013 and is a well-recognized blogger on living your dream. She has presented to students at Aspen Academy and has initiated a mentoring programfor women in technology. Learn more at www.AxlineSolutions.com or www.linkedin.com/in/janaaxline
MARY GROTHE CHIEF EXECUTIVEOFFICER At age 22, Mary began working with a Fortune 1000 Payroll/HRcompany. Starting in an administrative role, she quickly advanced into mid-market sales, and rapidly found success by listening to her clients and always solving their needs; putting their agenda before hers. Even in times when her sales approach was the direct inverse of what corporate was enforcing, she knew in her heart what was right, leveraging emotional, intellectual, and behavioral intelligence. After multiple #1finishes and millions in revenue sold, she founded Butterfly Creative, LLCin 2011to become a business strategist for entrepreneurs of all ages. Her vision expanded into sales strategy consulting in 2017 and rebranded as Sales BQTM. Her driving goal is to help CEOs ($1-$5M) avoid losing what many CEOs lose on their first few sales hires; over $1Mas a result of no sales infrastructure, bad hires and lack of time to manage the teameffectively. Learn more at www.SalesBQ.com or www.MaryGrothe.com
POWER WOMEN OF DENVER 14 thewomenofdenver.com
The women featured in this profile are members of Women of Denver. To join visit www.JoinWOD.com.
IRINA VLADA, PCC CERTIFIED WOMEN'S CONFIDENCECOACH ?I believe that self-love is the answer to every challenge in life.? Originally froma small town in the Soviet Union, Irina moved to America when she was 19, with only $200 and speaking little English. Now bilingual, she has three degrees frommultiple institutions and a professional coaching certification. As a foreigner so far fromhome, Irina?s life experiences have taught her how to embrace challenges and fall in love with her story. Irina created a coaching practice that focuses on empowering women by giving themthe tools to embrace their individuality and find their personal truths. By teaching women how to become confident, she has given numerous women the ability to identify self-limiting beliefs and manifest the highest vision of themselves. Follow Irina on Instagram & Facebook: @IrinaVladaCoaching Schedule a complimentary session at www.IrinaVladaCoaching.com
MEG SEBASTIAN EVANS INTERIOR DESIGNER Meg Sebastian Interior Design is the only design firmin Denver specializing in residential interior design and staging for homeowners and realtors. Meg started the firmafter working in New York City, Chicago, Vail, and her hometown of Grand Rapids, MI. With a degree fromthe New York School of Interior Design and vast experience with several designers, her projects have traveled across the world. Meg has the experience to help you with your interior design projects, frompaint color consultations and staging your home to sell, to furniture placement, or kitchen and bath renovations. Facebook: @MegSebastianInteriorDesignLLC Instagram: @megsebastianid \ Twitter: @4friendsdesign www.megsebastianinteriordesign.com and www.4friendsdesign.com
POWER WOMEN OF DENVER
The women featured in this profile are members of Women of Denver. To join visit www.JoinWOD.com.
TEDDI ANN BARRY, ESQ. FAMILY LAWATTORNEY AND MEDIATOR Teddi Ann is a woman for others, a child advocate, a family law attorney and mediator throughout Colorado. With offices in Cherry Creek, Castle Rock, Thornton, Avon and Steamboat, Teddi Ann has a successful and forward-thinking practice focused on client empowerment and resolution. Her results-driven approach to divorce leads to more creative ideas for settlement and child-centered parenting plans with strong advocacy and transparency during the family law process. She has vast knowledge and experience with high-end asset marital estates, and has developed a professional teamto serve your best interests during a most difficult time. Twitter: @TeddiAnnBarryPC\ LinkedIn: TeddiAnnBarryEsq. www.DivorceInColorado.com \ www.UnifiedDivorce.org
TERESA ADAMS EXECUTIVEHEADHUNTER Teresa Adams is the founder of Executive Career Consulting, a premier Denver-based boutique firmfor which she also serves as lead talent matchmaker and executive headhunter. Over the last 20 years, Teresa has created an exclusive process by which she connects people to their callings and companies to human solutions. Teresa has secured more than $90Min employment agreements for positions ranging frompresidents and COOs to civil engineers. Arecognized expert in executive search, employee development, and career-transition coaching, she has cultivated a reputation as an anti-recruiter?s recruiter who partners primarily with companies earning $3M-$75Mand professionals earning $100-$500K. Teresa is an ideal fit for both organizations and individuals seeking unconventional transformations, renewed passion, meaningful and financially rewarding work. www.ExecutiveCareerConsulting.com \ Social: @CareerExecCoach www.Linkedin.com/in/ExecutiveCareerCoach
POWER WOMEN OF DENVER 16 thewomenofdenver.com
ANDI SIGLER FOUNDER, VIVEFLOAT STUDIO+ | CHERRY CREEK Leading a fast-paced career, Andi Sigler experienced first-hand the personal and professional exhaustion that comes along with life in Corporate America. While the experience gave her access to valuable business knowledge, it also helped her to recognize the value of mental and physical simplicity, which became the foundation of her business. Opening her first wellness center in 2015 at the age of 52, VIVEis now a national company specializing in Float, Cryo, Infrared, VAT, and Halo therapies. These alternative therapies provide mental and physical RESTand RECOVERYfor individuals, athletic organizations, and employee wellness programs. Visit a VIVE studio to find your mental and physical balance through the power of REST, which ultimately leads to personal and professional SUCCESS. www.VIVEFloatStudio.com \ Twitter @ViveCherryCreek
KRYSTAL COVINGTON SPEAKER AND TRAINER Krystal Covington, MBAis the CEO& Founder of Women of Denver, a membership organization helping professional women develop their business skills, build confidence, and earn their worth as business leaders. Launching in 2014, Women of Denver now has a community of thousands and continues to grow. The group has over 40 events per year ranging from15-200 attendees. Krystal has presented a TEDx Talk and has been featured in numerous media outlets such as Fox, Forbes, Entrepreneur on Fire, and Women Taking the Lead. Krystal?s signature talks include The 4 Keys to Influence, PRfor Small Business, and The Art of Impactful Self Promotion. www.KrystalCovington.com \ Social: @krystalgolead
POWER WOMEN OF DENVER
The women featured in this profile are members of Women of Denver. To join visit www.JoinWOD.com.
KIMBERLY FRASHER DIRECTOR OF CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE Kimberly Frasher was a sales and marketing professional in the information security, retail, and advertising sectors for over a decade before taking a break to raise her daughter. In 2017 her husband and business partners began crafting a new type of auto collision center designed especially for smaller accidents and hail damage, reducing turnaround times and providing a welcome solution in a city known for severe weather. Approximately 65% of auto body customers are women, but most auto body shops are designed by and for men, so Kimberly stepped in as the Director of Customer Experience to craft a customer focus that provides a brand and shop experience that puts women first. Her quickly growing business seeks out and happily employs female repair technicians in a male-dominated industry. www.axiomrepair.com \ Facebook: @axiomrepair
KATIE WAFER FOUNDER, HYDRATEIV BAR Katie Wafer is a proud 5th generation Colorado native who is deeply involved in the Denver community. At the age of 26, Katie founded Hydrate IVBar, which offers vitamin-infused IVtherapy treatments with three locations in the Denver Metro Area. Since opening in 2016 Hydrate IVBar has serviced clients ranging from professional athletes, celebrities and traveling musicians to business professionals and every day health conscious adults. Katie and her medical teamhave been featured on Local and National News Channels including Denver?s Channel 9, Channel 7, Fox 31, Colorado?s Own 2, and Colorado?s Best Show and in local print including BusinessDen, Westword, 303 Magazine and Denver Lifestyle Magazine. Hydrate IVBar received 2017 Cherry Creek Chamber Business of the Year and has plans to expand to additional location in 2019. www.hydrateivbar.com \ Social media: @hydrate_ivbar
POWER WOMEN OF DENVER 18 thewomenofdenver.com
THE WEALTH
EQUATION
Joce Blake, Writer www.linktr.ee/joce_blake The power of the purse is becoming a commonality with women controlling nearly 60% of the wealth in the United States. Investment News reported that women represent nearly half of American millionaires and are expected to control two-thirds of the nation's wealth by 2030. And yet, the mystery of the wealth equation still remains. Women of Denver Founder, Krystal Covington, is determined to solve the mystery and she started by hosting an event, ?The Wealth Equation? with like-minded individuals with one goal ? sharing the wealth of knowledge. The event consisted of a panel made up of fortune finders. Jacqueline Molnar, Chief Compliance Officer at Western Union, has twenty years of experience as an attorney and compliance officer. She has led large international teams in the successful development of global anti-money laundering programs across multiple jurisdictions. Molnar has represented numerous Fortune 500 companies in complex legal and regulatory matters around the globe. Jacqueline?s major keys: - Find the best way to generate income, so you?ll have more to stockpile over time. - Get rid of your debt and create a rainy day fund. - Let people know you are ambitious, so you can be first in line for great opportunities. - You are never more powerful than when you are negotiating for yourself. Kyle O'Dell is the Managing Partner at OWRSand was the sponsor for this event. He has made it his life?s mission to teach people about lifestyle security. As a leading expert in the financial industry, O?Dell prides himself on teaching his clients about the peace-of-mind and personal power they can find with lifestyle security in retirement. Kyle?s major keys: - You can?t diversify away risk. Move past the traditional portfolio mix to look for non-traditional strategies that better protect your wealth. - Ask questions when discussing money matters with your advisors. Men ask questions but that doesn?t mean they have more knowledge than women. - When selecting an advisor, look for fiduciaries who have pledged to put your best interest first. Also seek those who can provide you with diverse solutions, not just those under the company brand they represent. Erin Hayes, Co-Founder and Chief Revenue Officer at Enquire Solution, is a leading innovator in the senior living industry. Hayes has been deemed an expert in data management and technology solutions. She also helps clients increase their occupancy by advising themon how to implement sales systems, measure performance, and translate community data into actionable insights. Erin?s major keys: - Surround yourself with people you want to be like. - There?s no substitute for hard work. - As an entrepreneur, sometimes you have to fake it until you make it.
Ryan Murphy
thewomenofdenver.com 19
ATTRACTING MILLENNIALS IN A
JOB SEEKER'SMARKET Chris Castillo, Millennial Career Coach and Corporate Trainer www.beempoweredachievers.com
With a booming job market, it?s a great time to be a job-hunter. That said, as hiring managers, it can be more and more challenging to attract great
Emphasize a culture of transparency. Since many job-seekers have
talent. There are so many opportunities out there! How do you ensure that
their choice of several opportunities, culture is becoming a larger factor in
millennials will want to work for your company?
decisions. If you have internal processes to share feedback with the senior leadership team, or a flat organizational structure, be sure to mention these
Since employees are a key asset of a business, here are a few tips for
perks in interviews. Aculture of candor is paramount, so if you have this,
attracting millennial talent:
you?ll certainly stand out fromthe crowd.
Have room for growth. Acompany with roomfor career development is a
Invest in your managers. An employee?s manager has a huge impact - as
must-have for young employees. Especially as more millennials are
the old adage says, it?s often what keeps (or repels) themat a company.
considering the path of entrepreneurship, having a company that allows
With that in mind, it?s important to know that your management teamis up
themto develop long-termskills is crucial. Sit down with your employees
to the task. Unfortunately, often I hear fromclients about managers who
and ask themhow they want to grow their careers. If they?re not as
don?t really know how to manage; they?ve never been trained to do it and are
interested in their current path, try and find another way for themto do
simply in a managerial role because they kept getting promotions. This is
more fulfilling work internally. As a business, be sure to share these stories.
not what we want. We want managers who have been trained on developing
By highlighting employees?abilities to design their careers, you?ll draw
their employees and realize that this is a central part of their role . By
attention frommore job-seekers.
investing in your management team, you?re more likely to attract and retain great talent.
There are so many complex factors when it comes to retention and company culture, but if you start by truly investing in your employees and their career satisfaction, I?mcertain that you?ll be pleasantly surprised by the results.
20 thewomenofdenver.com
MULTI-AMERICAN
WOMEN REPRESENT! Let me tell you a story of a little Afghan-American girl who had the moxie to dream of becoming a business CEO. In elementary school, she was asked to draw a picture of what she wanted to be when she grew up. The little girl drew a picture of her grown-up self wearing a power suit (black jacket, matching knee length skirt, black briefcase, and red stilettos, of course). She proudly shared the picture with her classmates, teachers, and family. This little girl knew what she wanted but she was sheltered fromreality by the cloak of her childhood. Fast forward 30 years, and while I may be wearing the black suit and red heels when I want to make a power statement in a boardroom, the journey was more convoluted than I ever believed possible. I didn?t grow up knowing many influential business women leaders. Even more disappointing, I didn?t see women of various racial and ethnic groups leading the way by example. Forbes 500 list of CEOs always featured men or white women, and I began to lose the vision of the business woman I wanted to become. While women in America have generally made progress in areas such as business, education, and politics, we must face the fact that we are still underrepresented in all areas of society. When you drill down to look at the numbers of women of color or ethnic minorities, the numbers become disheartening. The frustrated little Afghan-American girl inside of me tugged at my skirt and asked Why is this
happening? As I began to formulate the response to my childhood self, the answer was not clear. In fact, I was facing the biggest challenge of my life, and I hadn?t realized it. I was facing MEand all my imperfections. I am here to tell you, that the source of everyone?s super-hero power is their story. After years of self-reflection, embracing the imperfect, and adopting a growth mindset, I was able to face my childhood self with an answer. Women fromforeign-born families and various ethnic cultures living in America have been consumed with a full-blown identity crisis. Our challenges are unique, because we are in a constant state of navigation between multiple worlds, believing we have to belong somewhere to validate ourselves. The ?hyphenated? American identity balances thousands of years of history, race, culture, and religion, alongside the expectations of a being a modern American.
My call of action to Multi-American women with diverse ethnic backgrounds and women of color is embrace the dual-identity and the navigation challenges that come with it. We are both American and the result of the beautiful heritage that runs through our blood and the color of our skin. Imagine a world where Multi-American women are leaders in their respective industries. We could be solving business or social problems in unique and compassionate ways. If we want a fighting chance to bring systematic equity to this world, we must believe the change begins with our own selves and enjoy the journey of living in between cultures and worlds.
We do not fit exclusively in ANY world, and are often guilted, shamed, and blamed for not living up to expectations. The result? Exhaustion, loneliness, feeling stuck, and the inability to make decisions that can help us forge ahead. We are light years behind women who are more secure in their identity, and the data proves it.
Shahira Qudrat Cross-Cultural Leadership Guide and Consultant for Multi-American Women ShahiraQ.com thewomenofdenver.com 21
DENVER SHARE THEIR MOST
Julie Winslow, Vice President Branch Manager for Charles Schwab & Co., Inc.
Maritza Dominguez Braswell Partner at Fox Rothschild, LLP
In 2009, I made a career change froma sales manager in logistics, talking about moving ocean containers around the world, to a financial consultant. I was looking for a career where I could make a direct and significant impact for my clients. I focused on helping women understand the world of finance and empowering themto make positive changes to improve their lives.
Apivotal moment in my career came during our representation of the Lehman Brothers Estate in the wake of the 2008 financial crisis. A group of plaintiffs claimed Lehman owed thema collective $12 billion related to allegedly toxic mortgages.
At a Metropolitan State University of Denver alumni event in 2010, I was sharing my passion for empowering women and was offered an opportunity to design and teach my own class through the Institute of Women?s Studies and Services. This was one of the best experiences of my life. There is a huge gap in education and partnering with MSU Denver gave me the ability to reach hundreds of women and give them the tools, knowledge and resources to make profound positive changes to assist themon the road to financial freedom. This experience also led to me looking for a company to match my passion, which I found in Charles Schwab. It has been incredible to work for organizations that share my passion for financial education and providing resources for investors of all levels.
22 thewomenofdenver.com
After we argued successfully that a loan-by-loan review was the only way to accurately value claims across hundreds of residential mortgage-backed securities trusts, I worked with my colleague Michael Rollin, to oversee the creation and operation of a technology-enabled, detailed review of tens of thousands of individual mortgages. It was the first time a law firmhad undertaken the type of large-scale loan review ordinarily left to underwriters, making the matter truly groundbreaking. Moreover, to lead a teamof dozens of lawyers through the review, and then play a lead role in the next phase of the case? a 9-week trial in the Southern District of New York? was personally gratifying. I was the only lead lawyer of color, and the only lead female at counsel table during trial. We secured a victory for our client, and I achieved a personal victory navigating a male-dominated environment in a multi-billion-dollar Wall Street case.
EXECUTIVES PIVOTAL CAREER MOMENTS
Diane Eichler President and Founder of Decibel Blue & Decibel Green Creative Marketing & PR I spent the first half of my career as a senior account executive and director of client services for several branding, marketing, and design agencies. My clients during that time included Toyota Motor Sales, The Black Eyed Peas, Herman Miller and Apple. In 2005, my husband and I started Decibel Blue in Phoenix, and we managed to survive those crazy economic years ahead of us. Aturning point for me came in 2013. That?s when we opened our office in Denver and moved here, full-time, shortly after. While reaching into the Denver market was certainly strategic, our real motivation was our desire to spend the next portion of our journey in this amazing city. So often in life you end up living someplace because of a job, family or some obligation out of your control, but we seized the opportunity to live exactly where we wanted.
Gretchen Rosenberg President and CEOof Kentwood Real Estate In 1996 I became a single momto an 18-month-old son. I had been working with my ex-husband?s family in advertising, and obviously needed to move on. I asked myself, ?What can I do that combines my business background and my interest in architecture and design, with flexibility, so I can spend time with my son on my terms (like being a parent volunteer) and also have the ability to make a good living?? Real Estate seemed the natural fit. I started in sales and 10 years later became a selling manager of one of our three Kentwood brokerage offices. Then, 11years after that, I stepped up into the CEOrole.
Since then, our agency has grown in both markets, and we couldn?t be happier exploring the mountains and living life to the fullest in beautiful Colorado.?
thewomenofdenver.com 23
INTERVIEWING A LEGEND Written by Krystal Covington, Founder of Women of Denver As a young woman I have often imagined sitting next to a living legend, someone whose accomplishments left me in awe, to ask themhow they achieved each milestone of their life. I knew it would never come to pass, but it was a way for me to imagine a coach outside myself who could instruct me on how to navigate the complex choices of career and adulthood.
You can?t predict what your ?moment? might be, but you must be prepared for it. As a kid I remember being told that successful people have a goal and they strive for it. I always believed that meant knowing you?d be a CEOand going after that, or making it a goal to win a specific championship, but sometimes there are moments in life that we can?t predict will come our way.
Little did I know in 2018 the opportunity would actually present itself. I still remember sitting down for the meeting. I?d received a message fromthe Women?s Foundation of Colorado, an organization I?d been supporting since moving to Denver, to discuss a potential partnership. No information was given, but to me it didn?t matter what the job was, I was ready to serve in whatever capacity the organization needed.
Billie Jean King?s first big claimto fame was a 1973 tennis match called the Battle of the Sexes, which was viewed live by about 90 million people worldwide. Her moment came when self-titled Chauvinist Pig Bobby Riggs made the claimthat he could beat any woman in a tennis match because men are by nature stronger and more equipped for sports. BJKwas his second challenger and she welcomed the chance to stand up for women in a televised game.
CEOLauren Casteel sat at the head of the table and asked ?Krystal, do you know why you?re here??I said, ?No, but I?mhappy to discuss how I can support.?
In the end, Billie Jean King reigned victorious.
I was then informed that I had been selected to interview tennis legend and women?s equality icon, Billie Jean King, at their largest luncheon to date, expecting over 3,000 guests. I remember my mind going blank, not realizing this was something I could even be considered for, but knowing I was ready to take the responsibility and have the opportunity to fulfill the dreamof my youth. I happily accepted and got to work spending months in preparation to research and understand as much about Ms. King as humanly possible. Between the research, phone conversations with BJK(our abbreviation for her), and the culminating interview I?ve learned 3 key lessons fromthe life of this living legend.
24 thewomenofdenver.com
Moments like this cannot be predicted, but when they come, it?s important to seize themand win! King was successful because she made it her life?s mission to be the best tennis player she could be and to be ready for any opponent. She was also prepared to manage pressure, so she could take on challenges without allowing her natural fears and stressors to take over when the big moment came her way. Similarly, we may not know when unpredictable moments will come along, but if we prepare ourselves, master our craft, and focus on the challenge ahead, we can succeed each and every time.
Know what you stand for and you?ll never look back with regret.
Never stop growing, expanding and making an impact.
Even before the Battle of the Sexes, Billie Jean King was an advocate -- dare I say warrior -- for women?s equality in sports. Joining together with 8 other women, they created the Women?s Tennis Association to provide a voice to stand up for inequalities in prize money between men?s and women?s tennis. They believed that women were just as entertaining as men and should therefore be compensated equally.
If you believed that after that mega-match seen ?round the world that Billie Jean King was done achieving you?d be very incorrect. During my research, I was astonished to read about all of the things she?s been doing just in the past few years such as becoming an owner of the Dodgers and launching an exhibit with the New York Historical Society.
Today, WTAis the principal organizing body for women?s tennis representing over 2,500 players. When discussing matters of women?s rights in any interview, Billie Jean King has the resolve and composure of a woman who believes in what she?s fighting for. In viewing her clips and interviews over 40 years of career, I?ve watched her carry the exact same passion without ever backtracking on her beliefs. Watching her resolve over the years reminded me of the importance of knowing what we really stand for. Each and every person has non-negotiables, things we aren?t willing to bend on, but we aren?t always willing to stand up for them. I can think of moments when I didn?t stand strong in stating my beliefs and allowed my principles to be compromised, so I could make others comfortable. Those are moments of regret that will always disappoint me. When we stand up for what matters to us, and never allow ourselves to negotiate our beliefs to avoid conflict we can reduce those moments of regret and live a life we can always be proud of.
And when speaking with her, I learned about unpublished achievements that continue to bring awareness to the causes that matter. Being able to refer to her unique life experiences to advocate for these initiatives enriches the conversation and encourages more people to join in. It?s limiting to believe that once we do something great it?s time to hang up our hats or that age is a factor in when we should sit back and let the ?kids? take the front seat. Alife well lived is full of personal growth where we take every opportunity possible to make an impact in the world around us. There?s no time limit on making a difference. Having the opportunity to sit down with Billie Jean King to ask the burning questions I?d been wanting to discuss was a privilege and a moment I'll always remember, but some of the biggest lessons came fromimmersing myself in a review of her life journey. While my approach of imagining these titans as my personal mentors seemed fantastical, there?s so much we can learn fromtheir lives and often an abundance of resources to help us with the task. If there is a person in the world whose path inspires you and reaching themis not easily achievable I encourage you to make a project of researching themto learn as much as you can. You may find that watching their interviews, hearing their podcasts and reading their articles is an amazing way to capture some of the biggest lessons they have to share.
thewomenofdenver.com 25
Teresa Adams is the founder of Executive Career Consulting, a premier Denver-based boutique firm for which she also serves as lead talent matchmaker and executive headhunter. By mixing personal, precise data, bold intuition, and empathy, Adams fosters an environment that helps leaders attract and engage the right talent. Adams says, ?I connect people to their callings and companies to talented human solutions.?This Women of Denver?s paramount goal is to help others find their passion and fire. Here?s some of Teresa?s advice on finding your right fit, making money moves, and the unmatched value of being a member of Women of Denver. What's the #1 piece of advice you share with clients looking for an executive job they'll love? Adams: Identify and understand what you love doing and ask yourself, what does that ideal executive role/job look like? Paint the picture and sketch your own ideal executive job template. Know your worth, include your top 5-7 skills, what are you naturally driven to do and how will that make a difference in uplifting that company by using all of who you are. How do we know we'll fit well into a role? Adams: If the job could talk, what would it tell us? What are the key requirements and what must be performed to create an extraordinary experience for the C-level person doing the hiring? It?s crucial to research the company, the job, and the hiring authority of the role.
WODMEMBERFEATURETERESA ADAMS Most importantly, ask yourself the following: 1) Do you see yourself at that firm, in that role, working for the individual that owns the role? 2) Are they competitive within your compensation/benefits range? 3) Do you have longevity and upward mobility for your desired career path? 4) Is it a culture fit?
Women are known for being underpaid, even in high-level roles. How can women make sure they're earning their worth at work?
Why should more women get involved with networks like Women of Denver? Adams: I?mhonored to personally know WODFounder, Krystal Covington and to be a chosen Power Woman of Denver. WODis a must for anyone new to Denver, Denver Women business owners, other thought leaders and change makers that want to connect with a diverse group at many levels. You will learn, grow and develop not only connections but grow yourself in new and exciting ways. It?s cost effective and quite fun to attend the WOD events.
Adams: There are 4 steps to ensure that women are earning their worth. Start by knowing your value in total compensation and the acceptable Take inventory of your skills, experience and accomplishments. You are the CEO of yourself and have your own brand. That is a powerful way to express yourself. Use role play with a trusted advisor prior to the meeting as part of your preparation so that you can anticipate what their pushback might be and generate a successful comeback. Timing is crucial in negotiations, so be prepared for the different turns the conversation may take.
26 thewomenofdenver.com
Joce Blake, Writer www.linktr.ee/joce_blake
ACCESS POWERFUL TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT WHEREVER YOU ARE At Women of Denver, we help you get the tools you need to navigate business effectively, build a lucrative career you love, and curate a community of women who can help you excel. To do that effectively we?ve added a new digital community to our offerings, so you can have access to more tools to impact your life. -
Access monthly online events and on-demand courses tailored towards helping you master business and drive 6-figure income and above. Learn fromexclusive interviews with 7-figure earners, topical experts and leaders who?ll share mentorship to support your journey. Connect with other high-achieving women who are making an impact in Denver and beyond.
become a member
JOINWOD.COM
5 WAYS TO FUEL YOUR
PHYSICALWELLNESS Winter is here, and that means shorter days, comfort food and less time outside. The holidays are also in full swing, and that can mean extra running around, increased negative stress or DISTRESS, staying up later than normal, and drinking more alcohol. This can also be a time of throwing good wellness decisions out the window. All of this takes a toll on us physically, and if we don?t take care of ourselves physically, we will drain our energy tanks. It is so important to take care of your physical wellness each and every day, especially during times of higher distress. Here are 5 things you need to do regularly to keep yourself running on a full tank. Do something active. Go to the gym, join a rec league teamsport, play with the kids, build a snowman, or just go for a walk! It doesn?t have to be high impact, but do something to get the blood flowing. Drink lots of water. The body needs a lot of water to function, especially if you live at high elevation. Without enough water, our body feels more fatigued which impacts motivation, and negatively impacts our mood, memory and ability to regulate body temperature. Asufficient amount of water helps us eat less and slows alcohol absorption in the bloodstream. Water is vital to maintain our superpowers to deal with the holidays! Be conscious of what you eat. The foods you choose to fuel your body can help you manage negative stress. The rules are simple: eat a diet high in fiber (less than 3% of Americans accomplish this), eliminate or at least reduce packaged and processed foods, choose dark chocolate when the sweets come calling, eat more dark leafy greens to support a healthy immune system, and cook at home as much as possible ? this way you KNOWwhat you?re eating.
Taking care of your physical health is not a mystery; much of what we need to do is common knowledge. It comes down to making good choices and developing a lifestyle to support those healthy choices. And if you need it, don?t be afraid to get help ? it can be fun tackling wellness goals with an accountability partner, especially when the new year rings in with all of its improvement resolutions!
Have a spa day. Take the time to do something that relieves tension for you, whether that is some formof massage, getting your hair done, floating in a salt pod, having acupuncture, going to the hot springs, or making an appointment for a facial. You not only deserve the pampering, but you will also get that time to yourself to simply relax and take a break fromthe stressors in your life. Get (more) sleep. It?s easy to develop habits that eat into our valuable sleeping time. Try to be more conscious of your daily phone usage, TV watching, and social media time, and ask yourself whether it is supporting the person you want to be. When we have slept deeply we are more capable of managing stress, our emotions, the people in our lives, and our food choices.
28 thewomenofdenver.com
Susan Golicic, PhD, CPIC, Holistic Life Coach and Stephen Glitzer, CHWC, Holistic Life Coach, Chef www.uninhibitedwellness.com
8 WAYSTOLOSE A CHANGE INITIATIVE By Jana Axline, MBA, DTM, PMP Axline Solutions www.axlinesolutions.com
In my consulting experience, I have found that many companies struggle at managing change. They often move forward with an initiative without managing the change that needs to occur. Below are 8 of the common pitfalls that can cause a teamto fail at leading a successful change initiative. Fail to obtain leadership alignment. Change is hard. It?s exponentially harder if leaders are on separate pages. Take time to align your leadership teamand coordinate messaging that will be shared throughout the organization. Make change unidirectional. Change can rarely occur top down or bottomup and reach maximumsuccess. Change needs to flow fromboth directions. While it may be initiated fromone direction, it needs to be driven at all levels. Fail to assess current state/ future state and the gap between them. This manifests itself a few ways. Sometimes it?s rolling something out and fitting it to an old way of doing things without assessing if those processes should change. Other times it?s implementing something new without doing a gap analysis between the future state and where the team is today. When that happens, we often underestimate the size of the change, failing to craft our communications and training accurately. Focus only on why the company benefits. Decisions are often made through the lens of what?s right for the company, and hopefully, if it?s right for the company it?s right for the employees. Messaging should be centered around why the employee should care about the change (and increased revenue is not why). How does the change directly impact their daily lives? Ignore the cons. Don?t put lipstick on the pig. Most changes have a positive and negative aspects; don?t ignore the negative. The employee knows. And by ignoring it, it sends the message that the company doesn?t care.
believing if you?ve communicated it once, then everyone?s got it and they?re ready to move on. Communication needs to happen in various forms. It can take 8 occurrences of communication for one message to sink in. Thorough and effective communication is key. Don?t check in. Along with not communicating enough, leaders may neglect to follow up and see how people are doing with the change. Taking a pulse periodically allows you to adjust your methods according to the current adoption rate. Don?t align measures of success to end state. Often change will result in a change of what success looks like, yet how employees are rewarded doesn?t change. This encourages employees to continue doing things the way they?ve always done them. Align rewards with what success looks like now. Whether you are rolling out a new policy, new software, or heading up a merger, change needs to be managed. In order to have successful projects, it?s important to plan change activities. By doing so, your employees and teammembers will be much happier.
Lack of communication. Not communicating enough or assuming one size fits all for communication is a mistake. Don?t make the mistake of
thewomenofdenver.com 29
CELEBRATING 100 YEARS OFGOODWILLINCOLORADO AND THE WOMAN WHO STARTED IT ALL Jessica Hudgins Smith PR& Digital Media Manager Goodwill Industries of Denver Goodwilldenver.org
More than a century ago, it would have been a common sight to see a woman riding around on her bicycle near the corner of 31st and Lawrence Streets in what is now the Curtis Park neighborhood of Denver. That woman was prominent Methodist Deaconess Melissa Briggs. She was often seen riding her bike to collect donations of clothing and household items to bring back to the Epworth Institutional Church, which she founded in 1890. At the time, the notoriously rough area was often called ?Hog Ranch?for its abundance of saloons, crime and houses of ill repute. None of that slowed down Briggs, though, as she traveled by foot or bicycle past the saloon customers to collect donations for her congregation. The deaconess repaired and refinished the discarded clothing she collected and gave it away to the poor. In the earliest
days of the Epworth Church, Briggs offered sewing and cooking classes, hosted religious services, and fed hungry children of the neighborhood. Determined to make a difference in the lives of those in need, Briggs?dedication to giving back evolved into what would become Goodwill as we know it today. On April 4, 1918 the Epworth Institutional Church started a program employing wounded veterans and called it Goodwill Industries of Denver. Afew years later, the first Goodwill store in Colorado opened in the back of the Epworth building. Fast forward to 2018 and Goodwill Industries of Denver now operates 30 retail stores, one DĂŠjĂ Blue Boutique, three Outlet Worlds, three Career Connection Centers and several Donation Centers across the Denver metro area and northern Colorado.
While the scope and operation have expanded and evolved with the current needs of the Denver community, the mission to help Coloradans in need remains the same. Goodwill?s retail business exists to help disadvantaged individuals with barriers to employment find independence and self-sufficiency through the power of work. And just as it was in the early 1900?s, steadfast female executives like Kristi Esbenshade, Goodwill Denver?s Vice President of Workforce Development are leading the charge to take Goodwill into the next century and beyond. ?Carrying on Melissa?s legacy of making the lives of struggling individuals better is a huge motivator for what I do at Goodwill,?said Esbenshade as she reflected on the organization?s 100-year history. ?I amso proud and humbled to be a part of an organization that is truly changing lives by giving themthe skills, confidence and connections they need to become successful members of the workforce.? Esbenshade has been with Goodwill Industries of Denver for more than twenty years leading the organization?s career development programming that includes services for disadvantaged youth, adults with barriers to employment and individuals with disabilities. Another female leader tasked with extending Melissa Briggs?legacy into the next generation? Goodwill Denver?s InterimPresident and CEOKarla Grazier. ?The fact that this organization is celebrating 100 years of service is a testament to the impact of the work we?re doing every day,?said Grazier. ?We wouldn?t have made it this far if we weren?t able to adapt to the ebb and flow of the economy, evolving technologies and an ever-changing workforce. Our business may be retail, but Goodwill is in the business of changing lives through the power of work? just as it was when Melissa got on her bike 100 years ago.?
Women of Denver 3000 Lawrence St. Suite #039 Denver, CO80205 www.TheWomenofDenver.com
BE THE MOST OUR Powe rful PROGRAMMING WOMAN IN EVERY ROOM Powerful women have powerful networks. Build your power network by joining Women of Denver today.
- Build your business knowledge - Meet diverse professional women - Promote your skills and achievements
JoinWOD.com or learn more at TheWomenOfDenver.com
