Author Lori Hodges Chose to Make a Career Out of Helping People During the Worst days of Their Lives.
Lori Hodges, resident of Fort Collins, CO and author of Shaking in the Forest: Finding Light in The Darkness, has released a deeply inspiring memoir that reveals how trauma, loss, and adversity can fuel personal growth and transformation. Lori's journey from paramedic and emergency manager to personal resilience advocate provides a unique lens on how facing life-and-death situations professionally shaped her approach to personal challenges.Q: What inspired..
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It is a Pleasure to Introduce Entrepreneur DL Pettigrew. She is the Owner of Hidden PEARLS, a Contemporary Western Brand That Caters to Individualistic Women Seeking to Carve Their Own Paths.
Q: How did you get into design?DLP: My love of creating clothes started in the 3rd grade with the gift of my 1st barbie doll in Okinawa. My mother would sew us girls, my three sisters matching dresses, and give me the leftover fabric so I could create all kinds of things for my Barbie world. I started school in Okinawa and then Japan, it put us in the position of not being able to get a lot of Barbie things, so I made my own. For example, shoe boxes were o..
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Diane Petrozzo is a Retired Human Resources Professional & Teacher who has Dedicated Her Life to Rescuing Dogs
Q: When did your love for senior dogs begin? DP: When the first dog I raised on my own, Tessa, became a senior, I fell in love with senior dogs. I raised her from 8 weeks old until she passed away at 13.5 and she was always such a beautiful soul. She was always so gentle with my friends’ dogs, and I realized that she would be a good companion for an older dog. When Tessa was eleven, I adopted Dottie, a ten-year-old black Lab, whose family dumped her becaus..
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She is a Former Disney Animator, Creator of Classic Characters & Sculptor of Unique Stylized Stone Animals. A Conversation with Professional Artist, Ellen Woodbury
Ellen’s work is juried into national and international shows, shown in museums, and is held in private and public collections throughout North America.Q: Before your current career of Stone Sculpting, you worked for Walt Disney for 20 years. Can you tell us about your position and the work you did?EW: This is a long story. My Master’s Thesis film at California Institute of the Arts won a national student film award, which led to an interview at Disney, ..
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She has Received Numerous Awards & Accolades for Her Leadership in Civic Engagement & Community Building. An Exclusive Interview with Color Latina Executive Director, Dusti Gurule
Q: For those in our audience not familiar with Color Latina, tell us about the work the organization does and some of its programs.DG: Colorado Organization for Latina Opportunity & Reproductive Rights (COLOR), was founded in 1998 to provide a voice for the Latina community and reshape the conversation about ‘choice’ to include the intersectionality of where communities of color live. Our programming includes leadership development for young people, policy..
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She’s a Successful Senior Executive that Injects Creativity, Experience & Innovation in a Leadership Position. Meet Girl Scouts of Colorado, CEO Leanna Clark
Q: You’ve been a successful business owner, you’ve held many leadership roles, most recently as Vice Chancellor of University Communication for the University of Colorado Denver. You’ve also recently taken on the position as CEO of Girl Scouts of Colorado. To some in our audience who may be going through the same situation, why did you feel you needed make a change in your life?LC: I actually wasn’t looking for a change. I was truly enjoying my role in ..
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She’s a Powerful Leader that Focuses on Putting More Coloradans to Work. Our Exclusive Interview with Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Kelly Brough
Q: Tell us how long have you been CEO/President of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and what have been some of your accomplishments?KB: I’ve been in this role for 11 years. Our greatest accomplishments during that time: Attracting, retaining, and growing good jobs faster than other metros in the nation. Creating a sustainable scholarship program to fund higher education for Denver kids who can’t afford post-secondary training. Establishing an initiativ..
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She’s a Successful Small Business Owner & an Active Member in Her Community. A Conversation with Stephanie Carter, President & Co-Founder of Wallaroo Hat Company.
Q: How long have you been in business and how did you decide to start Wallaroo Hat Company?SC: I founded Wallaroo in 1999 when I noticed a need in the headwear industry for sun protective hats that combined fashion with function. We were pioneers in the sun protection industry as very few companies were producing items with a UPF (ultraviolet protection factor) rating at that time. Since Wallaroo Hat Company’s debut over two decades ago, I have grown the c..
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She Leads a Nationally Recognized Social Enterprise Nonprofit that Provides Employment to Women that Desire to Break Away From Unemployment & Poverty. Meet Author & CEO of the Women’s Bean Project, Tamra Ryan
As an organization they have committed to hiring every woman who comes in asking for a second chance because they believe their program can have a profound impact on their lives, their families, and our community. Women’s Bean Project brings together a passionate and diverse team of social enterprise practitioners, young entrepreneurial thinkers, change makers, workforce development specialists, sales and marketing professionals, and skilled business profe..
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She is a Nationally Recognized Non-Profit Executive, Inspirational Speaker & Organizational Strategist. Meet Executive Director of the Latino Leadership Institute at the University of Denver Joelle L. Martinez
Prior to the Institute, Joelle spent more than 15 years building winning business development, public affairs, and media strategies for Fortune 500 companies. In 2017, Joelle was named one of the 25 most powerful women by the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.Q: For those in our audience not famous with the Latino Leadership Institute, can you tell us about the organization and its mission?JM: The Latino Leadership Institute (LLI) was founded in 2013. W..
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She Has Exhibited Her Award Winning Woodcut Prints in National & International Galleries & Exhibitions. An Exclusive Interview With Artist/Printmaker Theresa Haberkorn
Q: For those in our audience not familiar with your work, tell us about it and you got started.TH: I am a woodcut printmaker in Boulder, Colorado where I’ve lived since 2002. Woodcut printmaking involves carving a block of wood by hand into what is essentially a stamp, inking it up, and printing it through a press onto paper. It takes several carvings, colors, and runs through the press to compose the final image. My work is inspired by my love of nature a..
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Our Exclusive Interview with Rose Community Foundation President & CEO Lindy Eichenbaum Lent
The Rose Community Foundation is committed to fostering an inclusive, engaged, and equitable Greater Denver Community through values-driven philanthropy. Q: For those in our audience not familiar with the Rose Community Foundation, tell us about organization and what you all do? LEL: Rose Community Foundation strives to advance inclusive, engaged and equitable communities in seven-county Greater Denver through values-driven philanthropy. The Foundation env..
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Her Boutique Specializes in Curate Homewares, Unique Lifestyle Items & Thoughtful Gifts. Meet Red Lark Boutique Owner, Bridget Mitchell
Q: For those not familiar with Red Lark, tell us about your business and why you started it.BM: Red Lark is a destination for meaningful gifts and curated goods. I thoughtfully source everything you see on our website. I tailor our selection to include quality products and talented makers gear towards a modern, yet cozy life.Q: How did you get your idea or concept for your business?BM: I’ve always wanted to own a local, small shop. A place where people ga..
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She is an Artist & Photographer Well-Known for Her Photographs of Nature & Wildlife. Meet Denver-Based Visual Artist Wendi Schneider
Wendi is widely known for her ongoing series of hand-gilded photographs, States of Grace –– illuminated impressions of grace in the natural world. Drawn to the serenity she finds in the sinuous elegance of organic forms; she embraces photography to preserve vanishing moments of beauty in our vulnerable environment. She has perfected a gilding process in which her images seemingly dance on the paper’s surface amidst reflections of light on precious metals, ..
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Meet Allison Owen, Entrepreneur, Co-Founder & CEO of Sweet Logic
Q: Tell us about your decision at age 27 to retire with $600,000?AO: We didn’t “retire” at 27, we took a “mini-retirement,” which is an extended break from working a traditional job to travel, discover passions, and start a business. My partner and I knew we wanted to live a different life than the one we were living, so we decided to save up some money and take a break to discover our next step. Q: When you made the decision to retire, was it in the plan ..
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