Windsor DDA chief Vance among BizWest Women of Distinction honorees

FORT COLLINS — Michelle Vance, executive director of the Windsor Downtown Development Authority, will be one of 13 women from Northern Colorado to be recognized with this year’s Women of Distinction awards, a BizWest program to acknowledge the contributions of female leaders in the region.

Selected in the Government, Energy and Utilities category, Vance has led downtown revitalization efforts in Windsor. She has prioritized transparency, open communication and community engagement, inviting diverse voices to the table.

As president of the Windsor Rotary Club, Vance works collaboratively with volunteers, supports youth development, and champions initiatives that create lasting impact locally and globally.

She became director of the Windsor DDA in January 2023 after serving three years as executive director of the Windsor Area Chamber of Commerce and one year as economic development director in Wellington.

Before coming to Colorado, she held several positions in Tehachapi and Bakersfield, California. Vance and this year’s dozen other honorees were selected by previous recipients of the award to represent multiple categories of business and nonprofit activity.

The awards will be presented at an event to be held from 5 to 7 p.m. Sept. 10 at the Drake Centre, 802 W. Drake Road, Fort Collins.

Also to be honored, along with their categories of award, include:

• Leading Ladies: Betty Aragon-Mitotes, president of Mujeres de Colores and co-founder of the Museo de las Tres Colonias; and Beth Walker, former dean, College of Business, Colorado State University.
• Banking and Finance: Christina Kraft, market president, Bank of Colorado.
• Business and Business Services: Lori Gama, founder and president, DaGama Digital Marketing Agency.
• Education: Leah Bornstein, CEO and president, Aims Community College. 
• Emerging Leader: Tori May, deputy director, Loveland Habitat for Humanity.
• Exceptional Volunteer: Paula Galloway, program lead for visual-impairment snow sports, scholarship director, instructor supervisor and board member, Ignite Adaptive Sports. 
• Health Care: Cyndi Dodds, CEO, SummitStone Health Partners. 
• Manufacturing: Amanda Rider, area leader, J.M. Smucker Co.
• Nonprofit: Donna Visocky, director of public relations and fundraising, Community Services Center of Wellington.   
• Outstanding Mentor: Ginger Graham, owner, Ginger and Baker.
• Real Estate: Alicia Ready, training and development director, Elder Construction, BuildHER Collaborative and NoCo Construction Sector Partnership. 

Seats can be reserved in advance by clicking here.

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