Lauren Y. Casteel, President & CEO

“As my retirement approaches at the end of January 2025, I reflect on 10 years of gratitude for having been in service to and with all of the women, members of our extended community, board, staff, nonprofits and donors who show strength and resilience all day, every day. I honor you.”

Lisa Christie, Vice President of Communications

“As I celebrate 10 years at WFCO, I am continuously grateful for my teammates Louise Myrland, vice president of programs, and Renee Ferrufino, vice president of development. We started at The Foundation within months of each other in 2014, and their support and wisdom over the years have significantly contributed to my personal and professional growth. I am lucky to be surrounded by them and other amazing, thoughtful, and compassionate women in our pursuit of gender, racial, and economic equity.”

Crystal Ayala-Goldstein, Programs Manager

“Witnessing the strength and resilience of the women in our community has been reaffirming and has inspired me to continue advocating for the protection of the people and communities I care about and love. From the Annual Luncheon to our Womanifesto, women are raising our voices to lift each other, and our entire state, up and I’m taking that energy with me for the year to come.”

Renee Ferrufino, Vice President of Development

“We had the privilege of witnessing the unwavering spirit of women lifting each other up, advocating for our rights and voting to protecting our bodily autonomy! That is powerful!!”

Erica Jackson, Digital Marketing Manager 

“Seeing women in our community persistently overcome challenges and setbacks while supporting each other reminds me that progress isn’t always linear, but it is unstoppable when we rise together. This year has been tough in many ways, but women’s unwavering determination to pick themselves up and keep pushing forward, while lifting others alongside them, gives me the strength to face my own obstacles with renewed courage. I’m really so grateful for our incredible community as a whole. You lift me up whether you realize it or not!”

Angela Leal, Senior Accountant

“What fills me with gratitude is that we are standing stronger, even when outside sources are trying to dismantle women’s rights.”

Alison Friedman Philips, Director of Programs, Policy, & Advocacy

“The number of people who used our Womanifesto, attended our election events, and voted gives me hope and inspiration for the future. Thank you!”

Louise Myrland, Vice President of Programs

“My heart is filled with admiration and gratitude for the tenacious team that led the effort to pass Proposition KK. Approved by voters in November 2024, Prop KK establishes an excise tax on gun and ammunition retailers that will fund support services for survivors of domestic violence, mental health services, and school safety and gun violence prevention efforts.”

Elva Escobedo, Events Manager

“I am so grateful for our incredible Annual Luncheon volunteers and committee members. I feel so excited for the future and all that these amazing women have to offer. The evening before the luncheon can be hectic, but we had such incredible volunteers this year that made it smooth as ever. Thank you to the generous people who donate their time to our mission.”

Maggie Stoot, Director of Development

“The remarkable generosity and vision of our donors, coupled with the resilience and determination of our community members, create an unstoppable force for advancing gender, racial, and economic equity in our state. Our collective commitment to supporting women of all backgrounds and identities inspires me to work even harder to build a more just and inclusive Colorado.”

Jen Schwem, Database Administrator

“I have been inspired witnessing my WFCO colleagues respond to the recent election results. The space we made to be supportive of one another and try to make a plan for our future work has made me hopeful of what we can achieve together.”

Camisha Lashbrook, Director of Donor Relations & Strategic Grantmaking

“In difficult moments – personally, professionally, or for our communities – I am incredibly grateful to work with each of my WFCO colleagues. We can do and overcome anything together.”

Tommie Mailey, Controller

“The passage of Amendment 79 gave me faith that if we band together, we can accomplish anything and everything. As per Helen Keller ‘Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.'”

Manushkka Sainvil, Executive & Board Coordinator

“I’ve witnessed the way women pour into each other, whether it’s sharing resources or offering services. It reminds me that scarcity mindset is a choice and there’s plenty to go around for everyone. When one candle lights another, it doesn’t extinguish the flame.”