Denver, CO – Girls Inc. of Metro Denver (GIMD) is proud to announce Simone D. Morrison, CEO of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce, as its new Board Chair, leading the organization into its next chapter of growth, expansion, and community impact. 

Morrison brings extensive leadership experience, a strong commitment to advancing women and girls, and a deep connection to the Colorado business community. As Board Chair, she will help guide Girls Inc. of Metro Denver as the organization expands its reach, strengthens its programs and launches the next phase of its fundraising campaign to bring Girls Inc. programming to more girls throughout the Denver metro area. 

The organization also celebrates the leadership of Jackie Devine, VP, Community Business & Development at Alpine Bank, who will transition from Board Chair to Past Chair. During her tenure, Devine helped lead Girls Inc. of Metro Denver through a significant period of growth, including the opening of its new East Denver campus. 

“Jackie has been an incredible leader for Girls Inc. of Metro Denver, and her impact will be felt for years to come,” said Kayla Garcia, President & CEO of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. “She helped us move from vision to action, including opening our new East Denver campus and creating greater access to our programs for girls in communities that need us most. We are deeply grateful for the time, energy and leadership Jackie has given to this organization. As we look ahead, I am incredibly excited for Simone to lead our board and our community into this next chapter. We have an ambitious vision for expansion, and Simone’s leadership will be instrumental as we launch the next phase and work toward reaching even more girls across the Denver metro area.” 

Devine reflected on her time as Board Chair and welcomed Morrison into the role. 

“It has been an honor to serve as Board Chair of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver and to help lead the organization through such an exciting period of growth,” said Jackie Devine, Past Board Chair. “Opening our East Denver campus is a major milestone, but it is only the beginning of what is possible. I am thrilled to welcome Simone into the role of Board Chair. She brings tremendous leadership, vision and passion for our community, and I know she will help Girls Inc. reach new heights. I am also excited to welcome our newest directors and see this next class of leaders bring their expertise and energy to the future of Girls Inc.” 

The board’s new class of directors adds leaders who will help oversee the organization’s continued growth and ensure Girls Inc. of Metro Denver remains positioned to meet the evolving needs of girls throughout the region. 

“Girls Inc. of Metro Denver is at an extraordinary moment of possibility,” said Simone D. Morrison, Board Chair and CEO of the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. “The organization has built a strong foundation, opened its doors in East Denver, and demonstrated what is possible when a community comes together around girls. I am honored to serve as Board Chair during this next chapter and excited to work alongside Kayla, our board, staff, donors, and community partners to expand our reach and invest in the future of girls across our region.” 

Executive Board Officers 

Simone D. Morrison, Board Chair
CEO, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 

Jackie Devine, Past Chair
VP Community Business & Banking, Alpine Bank 

Dexter Metcalfe, Treasurer
Audit & Assurance Partner, KPMG LLP 

Nicole Marquez, Vice Chair
VP, Community Development Relationship Manager, Huntington Bank 

Susanne Mombelli, Secretary
Attorney, Ogletree Deakins 

Kate Barton, At Large
Chief of Staff, Continuum Partners   

New Board of Directors  

Jason Gallardo, Managing Partner, MG Public Affairs 

Kaycee Gerhart, Vice President of University Strategy & External Affairs, MSU Denver 

Lisa Harris, SVP, Global Accounting, Prologis  

Luke Ritchie, Attorney, Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell 

Casey Stock, Senior Director, Operations, Natera 

Full List of Board of Directors  

• Kate Barton, Chief of Staff, Continuum Partners 

• Jackie Devine, VP, Community & Business Development, Alpine Bank 

• Jenny Engle, Sr. Director, Regional Public Affairs, Fidelity Investments 

• Jason Gallardo, Managing Partner, MG Public Affairs 

• Kaycee Gerhart, Vice President of University Strategy & External Affairs, MSU Denver 

• Lisa Harris, SVP, Global Accounting, Prologis 

• Lulu Lantzy, Chief Activation Officer, Auraria Campus 

• Julie Lerner, President, PX Consultants 

• Marla Jones-Newman, VP People & Culture, The Center for Investigative Reporting  

• Nicole Marquez, VP, Community Development Relationship Manager, Huntington Bank 

• Laura Mersmann, Electrical & Controls Section Manager / Associate Electrical Engineer, Burns & McDonnell 

• Dexter Metcalfe, Audit & Assurance Partner, KPMG 

• Susanne Mombelli, Attorney, Ogletree Deakins 

• Simone Morrison, CEO, Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce 

• Dianne Myles, Executive Producer, Human Focused Media  

• Luke Ritchie, Attorney, Wheeler Trigg O’Donnell 

• Jen Ross, Owner / Executive Producer, Jen Ross Productions 

• Casey Stock, Senior Director, Operations, Natera 

• Kristine Strain, VP Station Manager & News Director, CBS Colorado 

• Gordon Trujillo, VP, Learning & Development, DaVita 

• Sloane Whelan, Senior Policy Advisor, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck 

• Carrie Wisher, Partner, Workforce Solutions, PwC 

• Christina Zavislan, Director of Marketing, Catamount Constructors Inc.