The Inspired Impact Podcast

Laura lost her third child, Terrah, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 1994 and Angel Eyes (formerly called The Colorado SIDS Program) reached out immediately. Laura has hosted lobster dinners for over 200 guests, founded the Angel Walk (formally the Walk to Remember). In 2014, she joined the Board of Directors and moved up to the President of the Board. In May 2024, Laura transitioned to Angel Ey...

The lead lioness of our pride, Carrie is absolutely relentless in the protection of her people. That starts with her wonderful family: her husband, Britt, and her children Izzy and Colton. But her tribe extends to include everyone she works with – and every client she works for. A senior management professional with nearly 30 years of experience, Carrie is committed to the honest goal of positivel...

Lauren, a native of Madison, WI, graduated with a B.S. in Molecular Biology and Spanish from the University of Wisconsin–Madison. She then earned her M.D. at Stanford University, where she was awarded a Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) research scholarship to study osteosarcoma at the National Cancer Institute (NCI) in Washington, D.C. She completed her internship at Santa Clara Valley Medic...

Karen and her daughter Molly started Clover’s Closet in the Spring of 2019 to help girls who wouldn’t otherwise be able to go to prom because of the cost of a dress and accessories. Their first “store” was in the Outlets at Castle Rock. Their mission has expanded to include homecoming in the fall. Community members donate dresses, shoes, jewelry, make-up and more. For three weekends before homecom...

Laura Edwards joined Sunrise Service Dogs in January of 2022 with over twelve years of experience in the assistance dog field. Her expertise lies in innovative and visionary program development, process cultivation, and maximizing resources. In 2012, Edwards founded Disco’s Dogs, Inc., a Colorado-based nonprofit where she served as the Executive Director, placing dogs with children on the Autism s...

Claire Johnston is a wife, mother, and, as her husband proudly jokes, a social work entrepreneur. Claire is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and certified Oncology Social Worker. She is also a childhood cancer survivor herself, which propelled her work into the field of social work to help others who are navigating challenging circumstances. Claire works part-time as the Oncology Social Worker at...

Brie Dilley is the Executive Director at SECOR Cares, a nonprofit in Parker committed to eliminating food insecurity and suburban poverty. Brie has worked in the nonprofit sector in various capacities for most of her career. At SECOR, she has worked both on the program and development teams and has a heart for connecting donors and community members with the meaningful stories of SECOR guests. Bri...

I grew up in Canada and moved to the United States in 1990 when my husband was transferred here with Great West Life. I was unable to work at the time and turned to volunteering in many different roles over the years. In late 2011, I learned about Sertoma while golfing, and this organization has impacted my life ever since. I was instrumental in forming the SouthGlenn Sertoma Club in 2012 and have...

Lauren joined WorldDenver in 2019 after serving in a similar role at the World Affairs Council of Charlotte. She has a decade of experience in fundraising, development, program management, and event planning across nonprofits, and focuses on building global connections. Lauren grew up in San Diego, CA and attended a French immersion school, which planted the seeds for her passion in diversity and...

Beth Mitchell is a partner in the law firm of Ambler | Keenan | Mitchell | Johnson. Beth devotes her practice to estate planning, special needs planning, and probate and trust administration. She is a member of the American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, the Denver Bar Association, and the Colorado Bar Association, where she is a member of the Tr...

Guided by her passion for environmental and social impact, Emilie Baratta founded Turnbuckle to develop innovative real estate solutions for the modern world. Turnbuckle is a catalyst for positive change with roots in finance, design, building, and strategic project management. A rising leader with twenty years of experience in mixed-use urban real estate, finance, and long-term strategy, Emilie h...

From 2003-2025 Tamra Ryan was the CEO of Women’s Bean Project, a social enterprise providing transitional employment in its food manufacturing business to women attempting to break the cycle of chronic unemployment and poverty. She serves as the Coors Economic Mobility Fellow for Common Sense Institute Colorado. Named as Most Influential CEO and Ten Most Influential Women in Business 2023, Tamra i...

Bebe Kleinman – Community Health Leader & Nonprofit Advocate For over 40 years, I have devoted my professional and volunteer life to advancing equity in housing, food, and health care for individuals and families in under-resourced communities. My career reflects a deep commitment to public health, social justice, and building resilient nonprofit organizations that serve those most in need. I...

Sydney Mauck serves as the Anschutz Military Collections Specialist at History Colorado, where she is dedicated to preserving and sharing the stories held within the museum’s extensive military collection. A Colorado native, Sydney developed an early appreciation for the state’s rich history, particularly that of the renowned 10th Mountain Division, through the influence of her father and grandfat...

Elizabeth (Betty) Heid is the past chair of the Board of Directors of the Colorado Women’s Hall of Fame, serving on the board for 6 years: 5 years as Chair, one year as past chair. While serving as Chair of the Board, she recognized a need to broadly tell the life stories of the women who were inducted into the Hall. She was inspired to design and create the “Great Colorado Women” film series. Ser...

Dr. Linda Kimberling—Retired Federal Executive, Educator, Business Owner, Author, Foster Ministry Founder, Mother, Grandmother and Quilter Dr. Kimberling overcame early-life obstacles to serve the American public for 30 years in various leadership and managerial roles in the U.S. Government. Her tenure included Senior Executive Service member for 10 years in positions of Assistant Commissioner and...

Polly Letofsky left her home in Colorado and headed west across 4 continents and over 14,000 miles—by foot—to become the first woman to walk around the world. As an awareness campaign for breast cancer, strangers welcomed her into their homes. But it was never an easy road. Polly struggled with earthquakes, muggings, languages, even religious riots. The ultimate challenge came in the middle of Pol...

I enjoy blending strategic thinking with creative problem-solving to drive meaningful change. My focus has always been on building connections and finding ways to enhance our communities. I kicked off my career in finance, where I found success as a top salesperson. That experience sharpened my analytical skills and taught me how to understand complex needs, which I now apply to my work in non-pro...

For over thirty years, Amy Mays has worked alongside teens, helping them navigate life’s challenges. As a youth director and counselor, she learned something crucial: teens need more than programs. They need places where they feel they truly belong, where getting support doesn’t feel like a big deal. That’s why she started Happy Crew in 2007. It began with weekly meetings where teens could be them...

Lindsey has worked at Mountain Vista high school for 20 years in a number of different roles. She taught in the Career Tech Ed world for 14 years, was the head volleyball coach, ran student leadership, and was on a building leadership team. She was also instrumental in the growth of their relationship with the “Make a Wish Foundation.” The partnership with the school community, along with local cl...

Carey Marin is a wife, mom of four, entrepreneur and open adoption advocate. Carey is a graduate of the University of North Texas where she received her bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She has worked with orphanages in Bolivia and Romania, and with women and children in Ecuador, Kenya and Turkey. She received the President’s Volunteer Service Award, and founded Hearts Wide Open, an open...

Wendy began with Generation Schools Network in 2010 as the Rocky Mountain Managing Director and was asked by the Board of Directors to assume the CEO role in 2012. While earning a business degree, her love for education was catalyzed through volunteering to teach a business entrepreneurship class in an economically struggling Denver neighborhood on Saturday mornings at a local church. She brings e...

As a sales specialist for SketchUp in Trimble’s AEC division, I blend my interior design background with a passion for architectural technology. I help professionals navigate the industry’s leading 3D modeling software. Raised in Douglas County, I’ve always believed in the power of community. Since May 2024, volunteering has opened new doors for me, bringing fresh purpose and perspective to my lif...

Janine Valentine is an award-winning author, poet, and entrepreneur, currently living in Colorado. She loves to travel, carrying with her a sense of humor and curiosity. Experiencing her surroundings with a soul-level sensory awareness, Janine expresses these perspectives and insights through her deeply relatable writing. She believes that by vulnerably sharing our personal journeys we light a pat...

While she loves working with patients of all ages, Dr. Link realized early in her career that busy working adults were a severely underserved population. Dr. Link feels incredibly humbled to be growing a community where hearing loss and hearing aids are no longer stigmatized. You will be celebrated no matter where you are on your hearing journey. She loves looking at you as a whole person and empo...