In 2007 I joined the ranks of “entrepreneur” and opened my own consulting business. To work on my interpersonal and network skills, I had searched out and stumbled upon the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. I signed up for a luncheon, attended a couple of events and was asked to join its Board of Directors. A year into that term, the Board had completed a comprehensive strategic planning session, re-written its bylaws and committed to finding a way to hire its first Executive Director.
With a proposal to take the SCWCC on as a client of With Substance, Inc., I was able to offer a low-cost start-up option for the Chamber to realize a critical staffing goal. I resigned from the Board to accept the organization’s first Executive Directorship and helped to move the organization forward. In 2014, my role shifted into a consulting capacity over the next two years, as I assisted the newly-hired ED in taking over the reins.
Over the course of that tenure, I was involved in numerous efforts to advocate for women in business, from efforts to train, market, support and engage in the community, to mentoring women seeking to resume academic careers at the University of Colorado, Colorado Springs.
- Making Democracy Work Award [LWVPPR & Citizen’s Project, 2013]
- Women’s Chamber Plots New Strategy [Colorado Springs Business Journal, 2012]
- Women of Influence [CSBJ, 2010]
- Pikes Peak Women (community advocacy)
- Karen Poessehl Women’s Endowment
- Southern Colorado Business Partnership
- SCWCC ENewsletter samples