Session 4

Megan Freeman

Speaker Description: Best-Selling Author Megan E. Freeman is an award winning teacher and author of the novel ALONE. She has won many awards for her writing including the Colorado Book Award and the High Plains Book Award. She has taught multiple subjects across the arts and humanities to students K-16 and studied theater and dramatic literature for many years, earning degrees from Occidental College and the Ohio State University.

Session Description: Do you have an interest in writing or becoming a writer? In this session, participants will hear from Megan E. Freeman about her journey to becoming an author. Not only will she discuss her career as a writer, but she will also explain some of the struggles she has faced getting there. This session will also consist of a Q&A, and Megan will be available to sign and sell copies of her best-selling novel, ALONE.

Carissa Oliver-Self Defense

Speaker Description:

Carissa Oliver is a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo and a certified instructor. She has been teaching self-defense for six years. She received her Gold Award in Girl Scouts for teaching 90 women and children self-defense hosted at Broomfield High School in 2016 and is honored to be back. Though she had always wished this was something that didn't have to be taught, she knows it is an important skill that must be.

Session Description: Just as important as it is to keep your minds engaged in women's issues so is it important to keep your bodies engaged. In this session, you will learn basic self-defense which will hopefully help you feel safer as a woman in our current society.

Colleen Howell-Understanding Your Body- Period.

Speaker Description: "Hi! I’m a Certified Hormone Health Specialist and Sexual Health Educator who educates and empowers vulva-owners to nourish mind, body and soul through holistic menstrual and sexual health education.

It is in the core of my beliefs that a life in alignment with your cyclical nature is a more vibrant, empowered life of deeper embodiment and connection.

I birthed The Cyclical Creatrix to empower vulvacious goddesses to align to their menstrual cycles, heal their hormones and sexually thrive, fully claiming their feminine power to live a life of deeper embodiment, connection to one’s self, one another and mother earth."

Session Description: Want to learn more about your period and menstruation cycle? In this informative session, Colleen Howell is here to speak about hormonal health, holistic menstruation, periods, and more! Feel free to ask as many questions in a carefree and destigmatizing environment, where everyone’s minds and bodies are welcome.

Dr. Amy Nelson- Introspection on Intersectionality

Speaker Description:
Dr. Amy Nelson (she/her/hers) is the Director of Equity & Community Engagement for BVSD. She works full-time supporting schools and school leaders with equity-focused school improvement and developing authentic partnerships with families and the community. She has a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Studies from California State University, Bakersfield, a Master of Arts in Special Education from the University of Northern Colorado, and a Doctoral degree from the University of Northern Colorado in Educational Studies, Innovation, and Reform, with a focus on social justice and equity in education.

Session Description:

Hear from lifelong diversity and inclusion advocate, Dr. Amy Nelson. Dr. Nelson will share her extensive change-making and educational experiences, her commitment to diversity and inclusion, and her personal experiences related to intersectionality. Be inspired to become a powerful advocate in your own community!

Women in Business Panel

Maritza Aguirre Sanchez--Baking Business

Marcia Coulson--CEO of Eldon James Cooperation

Lys Runnerstrom--Assistant Director of Investigations at U.S. SafeSport

Rielee Reed-- Account manager at Aerotek

Session Description: In this session, powerful women will speak about their experiences in business and what got them where they are today. They will share advice, stories, and answer questions regarding a rewarding life in the business world.

Maritza Aguire Sanchez

Hello, my name is Maritza Aguirre Sanchez. I am a Freshman at CU Boulder in Leeds, and I am the owner of Maritza’s Treats. I sell chocolate-covered strawberries, snickerdoodle cookies and other fun treats through my Instagram @maritzas_treats. I first started my business after learning how to bake during the Covid-19 lockdown back in 2020. I fell in love with baking and decided to start something new with the things I love most: business, and baking. I first announced my business in January 2021 and had my first orders for Valentine’s Day a few days later. It’s been two years since I started Maritza’s Treats! At first, I didn’t know how to begin or how things would go, especially since I was still in high school; however, I’ve continued to work on my business while also handling my other responsibilities. It’s been an amazing journey, I love meeting new people and doing what I love most, business. I’ve always been an entrepreneur at heart. Ever since I was a little girl I would sell things here and there, and my father being an entrepreneur himself has always been a big inspiration. My parents are my biggest supporters and I owe it to them for all the support they’ve given me.

Marcia Coulson

Marcia Coulson is currently the CEO of Eldon James Cooperation, a biomedical manufacturing facility aiming to produce up-to-code biomedical supplies, for over the past 30 years. With a few others, she started the company from the ground up and continues to strive for the best for the company. In the past, she’s received awards, such as Manufacturing Women of the Year, and was recognized by Cambridge Who’s Who for Excellence in Sales and Business Management.

Lys Runnerstrom

Lys Runnerstrom is an Assistant Director of Investigations at the U.S. Center for SafeSport. She previously worked as a Senior Deputy District Attorney in the 20th Judicial District in Boulder, Colorado, with a focus on domestic violence prosecution. She received a BA in Philosophy from the University of Pennsylvania, a Masters in Philosophy from the University of St Andrews, and a JD from the Boston University School of Law.

Rielee Reed

Rielee is an account manager at Aerotek, a company specializing in manufacturing, robotics and automation

Rielee has worked with Aerotek for 4 years with a focus on light industrial business, working with manufacturers in a variety of industries. Aerotek is a leading recruiting and staffing provider, specializing in industrial, technical, and professional recruiting and staffing services. Rielee's team specifically handles recruiting talent and partnering with companies in the industrial sector with a specific focus on manufacturing, production and technician skill sets in Northern Colorado.

Roberta Payne-Stanford, Sobriety, Schizophrenia

Session and Speaker Description: Just after Denverite Roberta Payne graduated from Stanford, she became ill with schizophrenia and was hospitalized for several months. Then she earned a master’s degree from Harvard; but her schizophrenia came back, and she also became an alcoholic and used drugs. After years of low-paying, clerical jobs, rejection by others, and despair, she became sober and overcame much of her mental illness through the help of the latest medications and outstanding psychiatrists. Roberta studied for her doctorate at the University of Denver and has subsequently taught English, Latin, Greek, and Italian at the college level. She has spoken at the National Institute of Mental Health and multiple medical schools and has published four books.

FRIENDS-When Life Hands You Lemons – Make the Greatest Lemonade

Session Description: Learn how a group of terrific ladies have faced the challenges of their disabilities and are now leading happy and productive lives. The ladies want to share how they continue to gain the confidence to be seen, heard and in charge of their own lives.

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