COLORADO WOMEN’S CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Denver

News: Women from fields ranging from aviation, healthcare and technology to law, banking and government were celebrated when the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce staged its 12th annual 25 Most Powerful Women in Business Gala.

Over 700 people filled Seawall Ballroom for the Aug. 22 dinner that Simone D. Ross, the chamber’s chief executive officer, described as a tribute to “Women who’ve broken barriers and paved the way” for others to succeed.

“The impact they have had is tremendous, and tonight we celebrate that because advancement is at the core of our mission. Everything we do at the chamber is centered around equity and advancement.”

In fact, she added, achievements of the 2024 honorees helped inspire the evening’s theme, Flourishing Together. “Like a vine on a trellis, they have climbed.”

The 2024 honorees are:

Amy Parsons, president of Colorado State University

April Denmon, founder of The Denmon Group, a real estate team under Keller Williams

April Giles, executive director of the End Drug Shortages Alliance

Ceyl Prinster, president/CEO of the Colorado Enterprise Fund

Charlie Billingsley, founder and owner of the Museum for Black Girls

Debbie Herrera, director of human resources for the Colorado Housing and Finance Authority

Dr. Flo Raitano, a veterinarian and former mayor of Dillon who is now director of partnership development and innovation for the Denver Regional Council of Governments

Gayle Pottle, president of the Advent Health Rocky Mountain Foundation

Heather Tritten, president/CEO of the Colorado Children’s Campaign

Heather White, executive vice president and community banking director for Vectra Bank Colorado

Jamie Torres, president of the Denver City Council

Julia Taylor, CEO and founder of GeekPack and a former intelligence officer for the military

Kate Bailey, founder/CEO of TARRA, a coworking space and membership club

Lola Woloch, president/CEO of the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce

Maureen McDonald, associate regional vice president of community engagement for the continental division of HCA Healthcare

Maxine Pryor-Harris, president/CEO of the Maxx Impact Group, a management consulting firm

Meghann Conter, CEO and Chief Laugh Instigator of The Dames, an international membership organization dedicated to empowering women in business

Nancy Walsh, executive vice president of marketing, experiences and partnerships for Denver Museum of Nature and Science

Penny May, chief commercial officer at Denver International Airport

Renee Ferrufino, vice president/development for the Women’s Foundation of Colorado

State Sen. Rhonda Fields, whose political career began following the murder of her son Javad Marshall Fields and his fiancée, Vivian Wolfe

Shannon Jones, chief people officer for FirstBank

Shelly Marquez, president of Mercy Housing Mountain Plains Region

Stephanie McKnight, CEO of Colorado Inclusive Economy

Wendy Lea, co-founder and board chair of Energize Colorado

In addition, the Top 25 Legacy Award was given to Dawn Bookhardt in recognition of her storied career in public finance and philanthropy.

An attorney and activist, Bookhardt has served as lead counsel to Forest City for the redevelopment of the former Stapleton Airport and LNR Properties for the development of HighPoint at Denver International Airport. In addition to working with numerous other municipalities, underwriters and development entities in four states, Bookhardt is vice chair of the Metropolitan State University of Denver Foundation and has served on boards for the Denver Botanic Gardens, the Women’s Foundation of Colorado and the Colorado Black Chamber of Commerce.

About the organization: The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce was founded in 1988 by nine women whose vision was to make Colorado the No. 1 state for advancing women in business. With over 1,800 members today, the chamber hosts over 100 programs, events and workshops annually to help achieve this goal.

Website: cwcc.org

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