As Laura Mersmann prepares to wrap up her term as Chair of the Girls Inc. of Metro Denver Board, we’re taking a moment to celebrate her story, her leadership, and the lasting impact she’s made. We sat down with Laura for a Q+A to learn a little bit more about her journey, career, and passion for the Girls Inc. of Metro Denver mission.

Q: Tell us a little about your background.
Laura: I was born in Bucaramanga, Colombia, and moved to McPherson, Kansas at age 12 when my dad’s job brought us to the U.S. The move from a tropical city to the Midwest was a big change, but I found comfort in math—it was the same in any language. I studied electrical engineering at Kansas State University and have spent the last 17 years at Burns & McDonnell. My family and I moved to Denver 13 years ago, and we’ve loved building our life here.

Q: What drew you to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver?
Laura: From the moment I learned about GIMD, I saw myself in so many of the girls. An organization like this would have made a huge difference for me when I first moved to the U.S., and I knew I wanted to be part of it.

Q: Favorite GIMD memory?
Laura: Interviewing scholarship applicants—hearing their stories and seeing their passions firsthand is unforgettable.

Q: Which part of “Strong, Smart, and Bold” resonates most?
Laura: Boldness. Self-confidence is a lifelong skill, and I love how GIMD instills it in girls from the start.

Q: What’s been most rewarding about your board service?
Laura: Seeing the many ways GIMD changes lives—from providing a safe space to awarding life-changing scholarships.

Q: If you could give your younger self advice…
Laura: Don’t listen to anyone who says you’re not good enough because of your race or gender. Believe in yourself and keep your head up.

Q: Any fun facts?
Laura: I’ve been in the same book club since 2012, was once bitten by a monkey, and Spanish is my first language.

Thank you, Laura, for four incredible years of service, leadership, and inspiration!