Women's Bean Project Board Members 2012
Kristin Strohm - Board Chair
The Starboard Group. Kristin Strohm was drawn to Women's Bean Project because, in her words, "it offers a hand up, not a handout, which betters our community as a whole. When the women leave the Bean they become contributing citizens to society, which impacts future generations." Kristin is a managing partner of Starboard Group, a fundraising management firm. She also brings her experience from serving on numerous non-profit boards to Women's Bean Project Board of Directors.
Amy Graden - Past Chair
Steele Street Bank & Trust. Current Board Chair and Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Team Lead at Steele Street Bank & Trust. Amy was drawn to the Women’s Bean Project after attending the very first Ready, Set, Grow graduation luncheon. She was so moved by the graduates and impressed with how the Women’s Bean Project helps women break the cycle of poverty. As a Senior Vice President at Steele Street Bank & Trust, she feels fortunate to work for a company that supports such a wonderful cause.
Lisa Cutter - Past Chair
Cutter Communications. Hope. It is the reason Lisa is inspired to give her time to Women's Bean Project. "The Women's Bean Project gives women an opportunity for a second chance. The program is successful because it empowers women to change their lives through hard work and commitment," she says. "It gives the women - and their children - hope for a better future." Lisa is the president of Cutter Communications, a public relations and strategic communications consulting firm. Her skills in these areas and her ability to encourage conversation and connections have helped in her role as Chair of the Board of Directors.
Maurice Hamington - Secretary
Metropolitan State College of Denver. Women's Bean Project welcomes Maurice Hamington to its Board of Directors. Maurice is the Director of the Institute for Women's Studies and Services at Metropolitan State College of Denver, where his research and writing focuses on issues of ethics, feminism, and social justice. He believes, "Women's Bean Project is a wonderful example of how human care and compassion can emerge even when social structures do not support it. Our social, political, and economic systems have failed certain groups of people. Women's Bean Project does not wallow in blaming the victim but works to give women an opportunity to succeed in a world that might otherwise wish to ignore or forget them. The program has proven that it can help women reach their potential."
Stacey Hekkert - Treasurer
Anton Collins Mitchell LLP. Stacey was inspired by the Bean because she believes that there isn’t a single person out there that has made it through life without someone taking a chance on them, without someone believing in them, or without help and assistance. In her words, “These wonderful women didn’t choose their path at 12, 15, 18 or whatever age they were when it all started to go wrong for them – it simply happened. But when they come to the Bean – they are choosing to make a difference in their lives today. Then, when you see the confidence, excitement and opportunity in the eyes of their family and friends at the Ready Set Grow graduation luncheon, it is clear that the Bean has affected much more than just one program participant. A difference has been made in the lives of so many and for that reason alone, I hope we can offer a second chance and a hand up to everyone that applies.”
Kara Veitch - Chair Elect
The Colorado Forum. Kara Veitch is the Associate Director of the Colorado Forum, a member organization of professional leaders that drives Colorado public policy. Kara has supported Women's Bean Project for years by purchasing soup. She attended a Bean's Talk to learn more about the organization and she was hooked. Kara immediately joined the Communication Committee and now serves on the Board of Directors. "There are few organizations that are as successful as Women's Bean Project in helping women to help themselves. It's inspiring," she says.
Leah VanLandschoot
The Litigation Boutique, LLC. Leah was drawn to Women's Bean Project because of the women. "They show tremendous amounts of courage to overcome their respective past challenges and mistakes and make a conscious decision everyday to better themselves and their families," says Leah, who is an employment law attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP. Leah volunteers for Women's Bean Project in a variety of ways, including serving on its Board of Directors. She says, "Every time I volunteer, whether to sell products at a festival, work on the line, or to host a Bean's talk, it is a meaningful experience for me. I very much enjoy the annual Ready Set Grow graduation celebration. Every year I am both uplifted and inspired after attending the celebration, and every year I renew my personal commitment to Women's Bean Project as a result."
Kathleen Gilbert-Macmillan
Gilbert Macmillan Law, LLC
Sandra Hagevik, Ph.D.
Lee Hecht Harrison. The Women's Bean Project is lucky to have Sandra Hagevik serve on its Board of Directors. Sandra is a career and executive coach for Lee Hecht Harrison, a global human capital company, where she mainly assists unemployed people find appropriate work efficiently. She uses her knowledge of career development, training and team interaction to help Women's Bean Project. Recently, Sandra helped Women's Bean Project launch a new job coach program for future graduates.
Vanessa Anderson, Ph.D.
Community Volunteer/Advocate
Sunny Ackerman
Manpower, Inc. Sunny Ackerman serves as Manpower's Vice President and General Manager of the Mountain Central Division. She leads all aspects of the operation in Manpower's Commercial Staffing business in the Mountain Central Division's 16-state division with approximately 92 offices in Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona, Utah and Wyoming. She is responsible for strategy development and implementation; employee selection, development and retention; sales and service execution; and client satisfaction/ retention. Her knowledge and expertise compliment Women's Bean Project perfectly. She is inspired to serve on the Board because, in her words, "I was truly impressed with the tools the women gained during their stay at Women's Bean Project. These tools empower women to create better lives for themselves, provide their families with hope, and contribute to a stronger community."
Helen Atkeson
Hogan Lovells US LLP. Helen Atkeson was drawn to Women's Bean Project because of its impact on women, its mission to help women change their lives and the lives of their children, and Tamra Ryan's leadership. Helen is an attorney and partner with Hogan Lovells US LLP and the mother of 5 kids. Her skills in development, events, strategic planning, organizational decision-making and the law will be an asset to Women's Bean Project.
Greg Raih
Greg Raih is a retired public accounting professional, who was "looking for an organization that was giving meaningful hands-on work to people in need" and found Women's Bean Project. In Greg's words, "the demonstrated success of the program thus far, as evidenced by the real changes made in the participants' lives, encourages me to assist in any way that I can." Greg's financial background will help Women's Bean Project understand business alternatives and identify ways to accomplish its business and growth goals.
Jill S. Barkin
JP Morgan Chase & Co (JPMC). With a passion for social enterprise, the Women’s Bean Project caught Jill’s eye the first year she moved to Denver. Jill is the Vice President overseeing corporate philanthropy and community relations for the Colorado region of JPMC. She has served as the philanthropic advisor at Rose Community Foundation and, prior to moving to Denver in 2006, Jill worked in Boston as a consultant to nonprofits and charitable foundations at both the Monitor Institute and FSG Social Impact Advisors. Jill also served as an Interim Chief Operating Officer at New Profit Inc., a venture philanthropy firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sara Thompson Cassidy
Colorado Competitive Council
Kimball Crangle
Denver Housing Authority. Kimball currently serves as a Senior Developer for the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). At DHA, Kimball is the project manager for the 17.5-acre redevelopment program for the South Lincoln Redevelopment effort transforming this public housing site into a vibrant mixed-income, transit oriented community. Kimball comes to DHA from the Adams County Housing Authority, overseeing their development activities, specifically managing their due diligence, acquisition and financing activities for the development of land and multifamily properties. “I think that job skills and job placement create a clear path to self sufficiency and the WBP is a shining example of success in this arena. I hope to help the WBP expand this powerful model,” she says.
Phyllis Resnick, Ph.D.
R2 Analysis, LLC. Phyllis is the Managing Director for R2 Analysis and has been the lead economist on studies that assess the fiscal health, revenue sustainability and economic impact of various government agencies including the state of Colorado, the City and County of Denver, CDOT, the Regional Council of Governments and others. Prior to this position, she was an Economist for the University of Denver working as the Lead on a panel convened to assess sustainability of state revenue streams. Phyllis has also worked for the Center for Tax Policy as the Director of Research and the City of Boulder as the Administrative and Budget Analyst.
Lisa Fasolo-Frishman
The Denver Foundation
Penni Key
Boettcher Foundation
Carlleta Harty
Shamrock Foods
The Starboard Group. Kristin Strohm was drawn to Women's Bean Project because, in her words, "it offers a hand up, not a handout, which betters our community as a whole. When the women leave the Bean they become contributing citizens to society, which impacts future generations." Kristin is a managing partner of Starboard Group, a fundraising management firm. She also brings her experience from serving on numerous non-profit boards to Women's Bean Project Board of Directors.
Amy Graden - Past Chair
Steele Street Bank & Trust. Current Board Chair and Senior Vice President and Commercial Banking Team Lead at Steele Street Bank & Trust. Amy was drawn to the Women’s Bean Project after attending the very first Ready, Set, Grow graduation luncheon. She was so moved by the graduates and impressed with how the Women’s Bean Project helps women break the cycle of poverty. As a Senior Vice President at Steele Street Bank & Trust, she feels fortunate to work for a company that supports such a wonderful cause.
Lisa Cutter - Past Chair
Cutter Communications. Hope. It is the reason Lisa is inspired to give her time to Women's Bean Project. "The Women's Bean Project gives women an opportunity for a second chance. The program is successful because it empowers women to change their lives through hard work and commitment," she says. "It gives the women - and their children - hope for a better future." Lisa is the president of Cutter Communications, a public relations and strategic communications consulting firm. Her skills in these areas and her ability to encourage conversation and connections have helped in her role as Chair of the Board of Directors.
Maurice Hamington - Secretary
Metropolitan State College of Denver. Women's Bean Project welcomes Maurice Hamington to its Board of Directors. Maurice is the Director of the Institute for Women's Studies and Services at Metropolitan State College of Denver, where his research and writing focuses on issues of ethics, feminism, and social justice. He believes, "Women's Bean Project is a wonderful example of how human care and compassion can emerge even when social structures do not support it. Our social, political, and economic systems have failed certain groups of people. Women's Bean Project does not wallow in blaming the victim but works to give women an opportunity to succeed in a world that might otherwise wish to ignore or forget them. The program has proven that it can help women reach their potential."
Stacey Hekkert - Treasurer
Anton Collins Mitchell LLP. Stacey was inspired by the Bean because she believes that there isn’t a single person out there that has made it through life without someone taking a chance on them, without someone believing in them, or without help and assistance. In her words, “These wonderful women didn’t choose their path at 12, 15, 18 or whatever age they were when it all started to go wrong for them – it simply happened. But when they come to the Bean – they are choosing to make a difference in their lives today. Then, when you see the confidence, excitement and opportunity in the eyes of their family and friends at the Ready Set Grow graduation luncheon, it is clear that the Bean has affected much more than just one program participant. A difference has been made in the lives of so many and for that reason alone, I hope we can offer a second chance and a hand up to everyone that applies.”
Kara Veitch - Chair Elect
The Colorado Forum. Kara Veitch is the Associate Director of the Colorado Forum, a member organization of professional leaders that drives Colorado public policy. Kara has supported Women's Bean Project for years by purchasing soup. She attended a Bean's Talk to learn more about the organization and she was hooked. Kara immediately joined the Communication Committee and now serves on the Board of Directors. "There are few organizations that are as successful as Women's Bean Project in helping women to help themselves. It's inspiring," she says.
Leah VanLandschoot
The Litigation Boutique, LLC. Leah was drawn to Women's Bean Project because of the women. "They show tremendous amounts of courage to overcome their respective past challenges and mistakes and make a conscious decision everyday to better themselves and their families," says Leah, who is an employment law attorney at Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck LLP. Leah volunteers for Women's Bean Project in a variety of ways, including serving on its Board of Directors. She says, "Every time I volunteer, whether to sell products at a festival, work on the line, or to host a Bean's talk, it is a meaningful experience for me. I very much enjoy the annual Ready Set Grow graduation celebration. Every year I am both uplifted and inspired after attending the celebration, and every year I renew my personal commitment to Women's Bean Project as a result."
Kathleen Gilbert-Macmillan
Gilbert Macmillan Law, LLC
Sandra Hagevik, Ph.D.
Lee Hecht Harrison. The Women's Bean Project is lucky to have Sandra Hagevik serve on its Board of Directors. Sandra is a career and executive coach for Lee Hecht Harrison, a global human capital company, where she mainly assists unemployed people find appropriate work efficiently. She uses her knowledge of career development, training and team interaction to help Women's Bean Project. Recently, Sandra helped Women's Bean Project launch a new job coach program for future graduates.
Vanessa Anderson, Ph.D.
Community Volunteer/Advocate
Sunny Ackerman
Manpower, Inc. Sunny Ackerman serves as Manpower's Vice President and General Manager of the Mountain Central Division. She leads all aspects of the operation in Manpower's Commercial Staffing business in the Mountain Central Division's 16-state division with approximately 92 offices in Colorado, Missouri, Kansas, Nebraska, Arizona, Utah and Wyoming. She is responsible for strategy development and implementation; employee selection, development and retention; sales and service execution; and client satisfaction/ retention. Her knowledge and expertise compliment Women's Bean Project perfectly. She is inspired to serve on the Board because, in her words, "I was truly impressed with the tools the women gained during their stay at Women's Bean Project. These tools empower women to create better lives for themselves, provide their families with hope, and contribute to a stronger community."
Helen Atkeson
Hogan Lovells US LLP. Helen Atkeson was drawn to Women's Bean Project because of its impact on women, its mission to help women change their lives and the lives of their children, and Tamra Ryan's leadership. Helen is an attorney and partner with Hogan Lovells US LLP and the mother of 5 kids. Her skills in development, events, strategic planning, organizational decision-making and the law will be an asset to Women's Bean Project.
Greg Raih
Greg Raih is a retired public accounting professional, who was "looking for an organization that was giving meaningful hands-on work to people in need" and found Women's Bean Project. In Greg's words, "the demonstrated success of the program thus far, as evidenced by the real changes made in the participants' lives, encourages me to assist in any way that I can." Greg's financial background will help Women's Bean Project understand business alternatives and identify ways to accomplish its business and growth goals.
Jill S. Barkin
JP Morgan Chase & Co (JPMC). With a passion for social enterprise, the Women’s Bean Project caught Jill’s eye the first year she moved to Denver. Jill is the Vice President overseeing corporate philanthropy and community relations for the Colorado region of JPMC. She has served as the philanthropic advisor at Rose Community Foundation and, prior to moving to Denver in 2006, Jill worked in Boston as a consultant to nonprofits and charitable foundations at both the Monitor Institute and FSG Social Impact Advisors. Jill also served as an Interim Chief Operating Officer at New Profit Inc., a venture philanthropy firm in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Sara Thompson Cassidy
Colorado Competitive Council
Kimball Crangle
Denver Housing Authority. Kimball currently serves as a Senior Developer for the Denver Housing Authority (DHA). At DHA, Kimball is the project manager for the 17.5-acre redevelopment program for the South Lincoln Redevelopment effort transforming this public housing site into a vibrant mixed-income, transit oriented community. Kimball comes to DHA from the Adams County Housing Authority, overseeing their development activities, specifically managing their due diligence, acquisition and financing activities for the development of land and multifamily properties. “I think that job skills and job placement create a clear path to self sufficiency and the WBP is a shining example of success in this arena. I hope to help the WBP expand this powerful model,” she says.
Phyllis Resnick, Ph.D.
R2 Analysis, LLC. Phyllis is the Managing Director for R2 Analysis and has been the lead economist on studies that assess the fiscal health, revenue sustainability and economic impact of various government agencies including the state of Colorado, the City and County of Denver, CDOT, the Regional Council of Governments and others. Prior to this position, she was an Economist for the University of Denver working as the Lead on a panel convened to assess sustainability of state revenue streams. Phyllis has also worked for the Center for Tax Policy as the Director of Research and the City of Boulder as the Administrative and Budget Analyst.
Lisa Fasolo-Frishman
The Denver Foundation
Penni Key
Boettcher Foundation
Carlleta Harty
Shamrock Foods
