For six years, Lori Palazzolo has brought a steady hand, a sharp financial mind, and a compassionate heart to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver’s Board of Directors. As Chief Accounting Officer at Prologis, she leads a global team of over 300 accounting professionals — but she’s never lost sight of the young women who, like her younger self, are seeking a future they can define on their own terms.

Lori’s journey didn’t begin in a boardroom or a lecture hall. She grew up in Warren, Michigan, in a working-class neighborhood where college wasn’t an expectation. And while the love in her family was abundant, higher education wasn’t originally on her path.

“No one in my family went to college and no one expected me to go to college,” Lori reflects. “But I thought — maybe I should.”

That quiet spark of ambition ignited a journey that would carry her from community college to Walsh College, to motherhood, and eventually to a thriving career in accounting that would span decades. “I got married young, had kids young, and we moved to Colorado about 30 years ago for my job. I love being a mom, and I really love my career — but I want women to know that they are strong and can have both – a thriving family and a career!”

Lori’s love for her career is not just evident — it’s infectious. She speaks with passion about accounting not just as a profession, but as a vehicle for global opportunity, leadership, and impact. “I want girls to see accounting as a powerful career path. You get to solve problems, support businesses, work with diverse teams, and travel the world. It’s not just about numbers — it’s about people and progress.”

It’s that belief in possibility — in the untapped potential of girls — that drew Lori to Girls Inc. of Metro Denver. What started as an invitation from a friend to join the finance committee quickly evolved into a deep and lasting commitment. Lori went on to serve two full terms on the board and held the role of treasurer for over half that time.

“Once I joined the board and started hearing girls’ stories, that’s when I fell in love with the organization,” she shares. “Hearing from the girls through volunteer events and the My Bold Future reception are always my favorite — hearing what these girls want to do with their lives, seeing their confidence, their ambition — it moves me every time.”

Lori’s service to Girls Inc. wasn’t just about budgets and bottom lines. She created the Caryl A. Miller Scholarship in honor of her mother, a tribute to the enduring impact of strong women across generations. “Seeing a girl receive that scholarship is how I remember my mom — and how I remind myself of the legacy women can leave, even when they’re no longer here.”

Her legacy at GIMD goes beyond financial stewardship. She played a pivotal role in evolving programs like Bold Beans into Bold Business — an opportunity she and fellow board member Dexter Metcalfe saw as a gateway to get girls excited about careers in finance and accounting. “We’ve talked a lot about how to get girls more interested in accounting,” Lori says. “A career in accounting can empower girls to become problem solvers and leaders.”

Lori has always aligned deeply with the Girls Inc. mission. “I love that we’re helping girls embrace who they are and know that’s enough. When I was younger, girls were taught to be quiet and agreeable. I wish I had known earlier that speaking up, being assertive, and being bold was okay.”

Assertiveness is now one of Lori’s superpowers — both personally and professionally. She leads by example, mentoring young women in her field, advocating for inclusion in the workplace, and speaking up when it matters most. “I try to fight for others. I point things out that need to be addressed. I’m bolder now, and I want the next generation of girls to get there faster than I did.”

As her board tenure comes to a close, Lori’s legacy at Girls Inc. of Metro Denver is undeniable. She has helped shape not just the financial health of the organization, but the future possibilities for hundreds of girls.

“If I could speak to my younger self,” she says, “I’d tell her to dream big. She can be whoever she wants to be.”

And as for Lori today? She’s living proof of what it means to be strong, smart, and bold — and maybe just a little bit rock-and-roll. (She’s seen Elton John in concert 20 times — and even has the matching tattoo she got with her daughter to prove it).

A mom. A grandmother. A global leader. And yes — a “fun accountant.” Lori Palazzolo shows us that success isn’t about fitting into a mold. It’s about building your own path — and leaving it wide open for those who come next.