Seven New Board Members are Leaders in the Community and Represent a Cross-section of Diversity, Experience and Talent
Press Release – BOULDER, CO – August 28, 2018 – YWCA Boulder County today announced it has officially welcomed seven new members to its Board of Directors, replacing retiring board members from the 2017-2018 year term and boosting its board membership to 23 members. These new members will serve on the Board’s various committees, provide fiduciary oversight, and assist in the development of the organization’s new strategic plan.
YWCA Boulder County will be researching and creating an updated strategic plan to further align its services with the most relevant needs of the county, in line with its longstanding mission of empowering women and eliminating racism. Boulder County Social Venture Partners (SVP) selected the YWCA as this year’s recipient of its strategic planning development grant and will be working with the new YWCA board and its advisors to create that plan.
New board members include:
Analiese Brown is Director of Talent and Culture at local software company, CampMinder. Brown brings a wealth of HR experience and a strong network within Boulder’s tech community, as well as a dedication to creating inclusive and empowering workplaces to the board. “I believe it’s an especially critical moment to ask ourselves if we’re doing everything we can to ensure justice and dignity for all people in our community,” said Brown. “The YWCA is ideally positioned to do this vital work, and I look forward to applying my energy and passion on its behalf.”
Deidre Farrell is a Certified Financial Planner® with Thrivent Financial, with a mission to help families make wise financial decisions through advice and planning. Farrell will be putting that financial expertise to work for the YWCA as the organization continues to grow its reach and budget. Farrell has experience working with and for non-profits, from the Boulder Rotary Club to the local Trinity Second Century Endowment Fund. Farrell noted, “As a mother of two girls, I would like to do anything I can to further empowering women and teach them along the way.”
Karen Furlani is Director, Risk Management for Jacobs Engineering (formerly CH2M). Furlani has more than 25 years of leadership experience in project management and global engineering and construction services that will bring a unique perspective to the YWCA board. She helped lead a program for Denver youth, connecting them with hands-on experience in the science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) fields. She began her career as a Global Peace Corps volunteer in West Africa and has seen first-hand what empowerment can do to help a community thrive. “My motivation for joining the YWCA Boulder County Board is having the opportunity to make a positive impact in my local community, especially supporting women and children to help them grow and achieve their full potential,” commented Furlani.
Allyn Harker is a local activist and champion for the underserved. She describes herself as a ‘farmer, riparian caretaker, feminist, physicist, phlebotomist, reader, thinker, writer, activist and mother.’ She helped lead efforts to get the sugary drink tax enacted in Boulder county and continues to serve as an advisor. “Over 100 thousand people commute into Boulder daily,” notes Harker. “We need them, yet we cannot house them. The YWCA’s commitment to serving the region is enlightened, and I look forward to serving on its board.”
Amber Hickory is Executive Director of Marketing & Communications for CU Boulder’s Leeds School of Business. Prior to CU, Hickory spent more than a decade as Partner and President of Greenhouse Partners, a 25-person brand strategy and communications firm with Fortune 500 clients. She earned an MBA from CU, and an undergraduate degree from Northwestern University, where she also played basketball and was a 4-year starting point guard. Empowering women is her passion. “I was raised by amazing parents who convinced me I could accomplish anything. I want to help instill that same sense of possibility in all women.”
Elaina Shively is Director and Deputy District Attorney at the Boulder County DA’s Office Center for Prevention and Restorative Justice. She provides a broad perspective informed by her background in criminal justice defense and prosecution, leading program development and reform initiatives and staff management. “Our most vulnerable populations are also more likely to be victimized,” Shively said. “I am deeply alarmed by the increase in occurrence of hate crimes and it cannot be tolerated. I believe in programs like the YWCA to teach acceptance and provide our most vulnerable with services they need to lead productive lives.”
Shiquita Yarbrough is Office Manager for Community Foundation Boulder County. She has spent her career helping to lead and assist non-profits, from her leadership at the National Hispanic Institute in Austin, Texas, to co-founding Families of Color in Colorado to name just a few. Yarbrough is a leading advocate in the Boulder County for people of color and issues exacerbated by poverty. “My personal dream is to provide a safe space and resources for people of color in our community,” said Yarbrough. “To create a culture of understanding, where we all can communicate without judgment, to help educate and equip single moms and dads with the skills they need to be successful as parents and citizens.”
“These women will make a big contribution to our organization in the years to come,” said Nan Joesten, incoming Board President. “They have a very diverse background with a great set of skills. But they all share a passion for our mission of empowering women and helping to end racism here in Boulder County, and we are thrilled they are joining our board,” Joesten added.
Since YWCA USA’s founding in 1858, YWCA has been at the forefront of the most critical social movements. This rich history, along with its current program offerings, makes YWCA USA the oldest, largest, and one of the most accomplished multiracial organizations in the fight for social justice. In Boulder, YWCA has evolved over the years from boarding house to social club and today is a human service agency. The organization is a non-sectarian nonprofit that is not affiliated with any religious group, and is a publicly funded, inclusive organization that welcomes everyone to participate, male and female alike.
Throughout the last century, women have come to YWCA to find housing assistance, business advice, career counseling, fitness classes, and affordable childcare. Beginning in the 1980s, community members could count on YWCA Boulder County to provide low-cost parenting classes and valuable resources to support healthy self-esteem and economic self-sufficiency. Our wide range of programs continue to provide services to those who need them.
About YWCA Boulder County
YWCA Boulder County is dedicated to eliminating racism, empowering women and promoting peace, justice, freedom and dignity for all. The organization has been providing a variety of vital services to the women, children, and families of Boulder for over 95 years. YWCA Boulder County is a welcoming human service agency that works with over 6,000 individuals annually. For more information on our programs, visit: www.ywcaboulder.org/.
