ABOUT
Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce (CWCC) is a member-based non-profit 501(C) 6 organization. Our mission is to provide opportunities and visibility for women in business through relationship development, education, leadership training, partnership and alliances.
HISTORY
CWCC was founded in 1988 by a group of nine women to give women a voice in business, support women in business and provide resources to help them succeed. Women own 10.6 million businesses in the United States and employ 19.1 million workers – that’s one in every seven employees. Women-owned businesses account for $2.5 trillion in sales. Colorado is ranked first in the country for economic success, and second in the country for most entrepreneurial.
LOCATION
1350 17th Street, Suite 100| Denver, CO 80202 | 303.458.0220 | www.cwcc.org
LEADERSHIP
Kristen Blessman, President & CEO, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce
Marci Sparkman, Senior VP, North Metro Retail Area Leader, Vectra Bank – CWCC Chair of the Board
Beth Perez, Senior Director, DaVita Healthcare Partners – CWCC Vice Chair of the Board
Murugan Palani, Director of Business Diversity and Outreach, Denver Public Schools – Chair of WLF Board
FAST FACTS
PROGRAMS
CWCC annually presents and sponsors approximately 100 programs, workshops and events.
MEMBERSHIP BENEFITS
ACCESS: to top business and community leadership, as well as local lawmakers and officials. Network with nearly 1,200 members representing over 350 companies.
CONNECTIONS: to business prospects and opportunities to reach new audiences; connect your business with the programs and services that are relevant to your needs; build relationships and participate in more than 100 business development events including round tables, monthly luncheons, business after hours and networking programs, as well as access to the quarterly President’s Circle Receptions for corporate memberships.
EDUCATION & RESOURCES: to build and enhance skills with leadership and professional development workshops and programs including the Innovative Leadership Institute and Corporate Leadership Academy.
INFORMATION AND ANALYSIS: to learn more about business trends and public policy issues from our website and publications.
VISIBILITY: to more than 3,500 business leaders who annually attend our programs, workshops and events, including our Signature events: Top 25 Most Powerful Women, ATHENA Conference & Award Dinner, Soiree at Sunset and State of Women in Business Luncheon.
WOMEN’S LEADERSHIP FOUNDATION (WLF)
The Women’s Leadership Foundation provides programs and related services that seek to expand leadership opportunities for women in business, communities, and ultimately in the board room.
1350 17TH Street, Suite 100 | Denver, CO 80202 | 303.458.0220 | www.cwcc.org
Board Bound is the flagship program of the Women’s Leadership Foundation with the purpose of preparing and ideally placing female executives on a board seat on either a corporate or non-profit board of directors. Colorado has one of the lowest rates of women serving on boards. Only 11% of the Board positions of publicly-traded companies headquartered in Colorado are held by women- a statistic Board Bound seeks to change.