An elected official and formerly the CEO of FootSteps Marketing and am now the Executive Director of the nonprofit fund MANAUS. I have been an organizational leader for 5 years and before that, an entrepreneur for 10, all in rural Colorado. As a female leader, I know firsthand many of the issues that face startups, professional growth and longevity on the western slope. A point of pride in my professional career is that I have found a way to lift up women colleagues and help them understand how to value themselves in a professional and organizational setting. I look forward to meeting you all and thank you for your participation in this event.