The Women’s Foundation of Colorado Welcomes Five New Trustees
New Class Deepens Board Expertise in Communications, Finance, and Philanthropy
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado (WFCO) added five new trustees to the board for our fiscal year 2021-22. The trustees represent many of the diverse backgrounds and identities of the women and men who make up the state of Colorado and strengthen The Foundation’s expertise in communications, finance, and philanthropy. They bring the total number of trustees to 26.
WFCO trustees work in partnership with President and CEO Lauren Y. Casteel to set The Foundation’s goals and priorities, ensure progress toward the strategic plan, determine policy priorities, and manage The Foundation’s assets totaling $31.2 million. They also develop financial resources that ensure sustainability to meet the current and future needs of Colorado women.
“Our new class of trustees has a rich legacy in supporting diverse Colorado communities and strengthening the philanthropic sector,” said Lauren Casteel. “The Women’s Foundation of Colorado has deepened our commitment to centering the intersection of gender and racial equity in our work, and their experiences and expertise will be invaluable as we move forward in this direction.”
Meet our newest trustees
Raynard Gray, Denver
Raynard Gray has served as manager of budgeting and reporting for Xcel Energy for 15 years. He leads the financial planning process for various shared service organizations, including the development of the annual budget, periodic forecasts, and long-term financial plans. He is a member of WFCO’s audit & finance committee and a past board member of the Urban League of Metro Denver. Raynard also is a member of WFCO’s sustainable giving community, the Power of Extended Philanthropy (PEP).
“I love the fact that WFCO is focused on making sustainable change. WFCO has the programs and initiatives to accomplish systematic, long-lasting changes for women and families of all colors in our state. I can’t think of a better organization to be a part of.” – Raynard Gray
Gerri Gomez Howard, Castle Rock
Gerri Gomez Howard is the CEO of the Gomez Howard Group, the integrated marketing and communications firm she established in 2005. Prior, she spent nearly two decades in broadcast media, 18 with KCNC-TV, a CBS owned and operated television station in Denver. There, she forged mutually beneficial relationships between essential community sectors – business, nonprofits, government, media, and the general public. Gerri rejoins the WFCO board of trustees for a second term, having served in the 1990s. She is also a member of the The Denver (CO) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, a philanthropic group that enriches the lives of African Americans and others in the greater Denver community, as well as WFCO’s communications advisory committee.
“As a young woman, it was participating in the The Women’s Foundation board that put me on a self-discovery path. Serving as a trustee at that time, more than 25 years ago, opened the door for me to engage with so many women mentors who truly invested in my future. Rejoining the board at this stage of life is most certainly about paying it forward and working alongside women who are driven to impact systems change that can create life changing economic opportunities for generations to come.” – Gerri Gomez Howard
Sonya Marques-Correia, Denver
Sonya Marques-Correia is the director of finance and administration at the Margulf Foundation. She has over 20 years of experience in finance and management, with 15 years spent in nonprofit organizations. Prior, she was the chief financial officer for Clayton Early Learning, which is rooted in early childhood education. She serves as treasurer of the Inner Circle Homeowners Association and was recently appointed to the board of World Animal Protection in the US. She also serves as a member of the WFCO’s audit & finance committee.
“As an woman, I strongly believe that every woman and girl should have the ability to advance their knowledge, have every opportunity afforded to male counterparts, and earn wages that allow them to be self-sufficient and provide for themselves and/or their families. As the daughter of immigrants, understanding the need to work and support your family has been ingrained in my upbringing. My mother and grandmother were both working moms – helping to support the family to ensure each generation after had a “better” chance of opportunity, knowledge, and self-sustainability. It’s my turn to do the same.” – Sonya Marques-Correia
Sue Wagner, Fort Collins
Sue Wagner has served as the senior vice president of commercial lending at the Bank of Colorado in Fort Collins for nine years. She believes that the ability to build relationships is one of the unique skills women bring to the workforce. As a leader of a community bank, she is passionate about helping communities grow and is a current member and the treasurer of the Boys and Girls Club, a member of the Fort Collins Rotary Club, and has volunteered with CARE Housing and Reflections for Youth.
“WFCO’s mission and work to promote the success of young women is a great way for me to pay it forward and thank the many people who have supported me and others to create an opportunity to become productive, involved community members.” – Sue Wagner
Tania Zeigler, Denver
After spending nearly two decades in various roles within the healthcare sector – including communications, marketing, customer experience strategy and operations, and digital planning and performance – Tania Zeigler recently launched her life, leadership, and career transformation coaching business, Burn Bright Coaching and Consulting, LLC. She is passionate about developing systematic approaches to diversifying leadership pipelines and achieving gender and racial equity in public, private, and non-profit settings. Recently, she served on the board of directors for Colorado Public Radio, Spark the Change Colorado, and Project WISE. She is a donor-advised fundholder at WFCO, and a member of the Women’s Impact Investing Giving Circle and the communications advisory committee.
“It is impossible to talk about my passion and commitment to empowering women, especially women of color, without talking about my mom. My mother, an immigrant from South Korea, a nurse, mother of three, a gutsy businesswoman, and an artist, taught me to fight. To fight for my own dignity and for those whose voices are muted or whose bodies are objects to be exploited or for those who have been denied equal access to The American Dream. WFCO, as the only statewide community foundation devoted to improving women’s access to economic opportunity, feels like home. I’m deeply honored to be part of an organization that has the expertise, partnerships, and enduring commitment needed to ensure equitable and sustainable futures for Colorado women and families.” – Tania Zeigler
Additional board transitions
As the newest trustees begin their terms on April 1, 2021, several other transitions will take place among the WFCO board.
- Joyce Vigil, Pueblo, attorney and owner of Robb & Vigil, LLC, will assume leadership of the board as chair.
- Adrienne Mansanares, Denver, chief experience officer (CXO) at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains, steps in as vice chair.
- Christina Ortiz, Denver, chief operations officer at indieDwell, serves as secretary.
- Jennifer Cottrell, Littleton, chief operating/financial officer for Pinnacle Healthcare Consulting, is treasurer.
The Women’s Foundation of Colorado would like to thank Katie Kellen, Denver, Colorado Wells Fargo
Private Bank, for her leadership during the last year as board chair, as well as several trustees who completed their board terms: Stephanie Bruno, Denver, Sea to Peak Advisors; Jennifer Colosimo, Denver, FranklinCovey; Kelley Duke, Denver, Ireland Stapleton; and Pat Kendall, Fort Collins, retired. All completing their terms become honorary trustees, joining more than 200 other women and men who have served on the board during our 34 years.
