Boulder Chamber Celebrates 30th Anniversary of Women Who Light The Community

On September 18, the Boulder Chamber celebrated its 30th anniversary of the Women Who Light The Community Awards at the new Limelight Hotel, marking three decades of honoring recipients who inspire, connect, and build community through their spirit of hard work and dedication to others.

This year, a class of honorees was recognized for their ongoing community impact through philanthropy, community service and outreach, legal support, and economic development. These honorees join an impressive group of community leaders who have made a positive impact on our community, economy, and the lives of countless individuals.

Throughout the evening’s celebration, attendees and guests listened to inspirational messages shared by honorees and presenters, recognizing their achievements, impact, and passion for shaping the community through compassionate action and innovation.

2025 Honorees

Gretchen Wahl | Regional Vice President, FNBO

As Regional Vice President of Commercial Banking at FNBO, Gretchen provides strategic leadership across four community commercial banking teams. Her focus is on strengthening client relationships, driving sustainable growth, and developing high-performing teams.

Her responsibilities include overseeing commercial banking teams, establishing market development strategies, and ensuring exceptional service delivery that aligns with FNBO's commitment to community banking excellence.

With a collaborative leadership approach, she guides her commercial banking professionals in delivering FNBO's comprehensive suite of financial services, including credit facilities, treasury management, and specialized industry solutions across our multi-regional footprint.

Gretchen brings over 30 years of diverse banking experience to FNBO and her team. She has a Bachelor of Science degree in Management from Penn State University and has completed the Stonier Graduate School of Banking through the American Bankers Association.

Her dedication to her profession and her clients has been documented through the receipt of several honors, including recognition as a Top 50 Business Leader. She is also a Leadership Boulder graduate and served as a member of the Colorado Economic Development Commission. Currently, she serves as Co-Chair of Boulder Chamber Economic Council, Co-Chair of Boulder Together and Board Member of the Colorado Bankers Association.

Suzanne Hoover | Retired, Philanthropist

Suzanne grew up in a small midwestern town where people helped their neighbors when needed and became involved in community organizations and activities. This was a regular part of life and became so for her. She graduated from DePauw University and received her Master's in Secondary Education from Indiana University. Suzanne taught for five years before starting her family and becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Her first significant involvement with a philanthropic organization was with a women's organization called Tri Kappa in Muncie, IN. This group raised money for scholarships. Supporting students with scholarships remains important to her. During their second life in Muncie, she was elected to the school board for the Muncie Community Schools. That experience cemented her interest in K-12 education and education more broadly.

Most of her active involvement with nonprofits has been in the form of board service. This has included several organizations related to education, which have allowed her to pursue that interest.

She and David have focused their primary philanthropy on organizations involved in education and healthcare. However, in their community, like most, there are a myriad of nonprofits serving a broad range of needs for citizens. They are pleased to be able to help many of those organizations as they work to improve people's lives.

Leslie Durgin | Former Mayor, City of Boulder

Leslie has enjoyed a long and varied professional and volunteer career in Colorado State government and at the local level in the City of Boulder and Boulder County.

Her work is largely focused on health, human services, and public policy leadership, with an emphasis on funding and programs for low-income and underserved populations. As Mayor and a member of City Council from 1988-1997, she broadened her work to encompass the many issues, needs, and opportunities in the Boulder community. She worked closely with numerous and disparate groups to represent and lead discussions and decisions for successful problem-solving.

Having failed retirement six times, her time now is often spent on numerous boards and committees, currently including Frasier Living, the Emergency Family Assistance Association, and Historic Boulder.

Gardening, line-dancing, and building or restoring antique doll houses are rewarding diversions from local political activities, another time-consuming interest.

Debra Capra | Retired, Corden Pharma

Debra retired earlier this year, having curated a career that led to a C-Suite position with Boulder’s largest pharmaceutical company, Corden Pharma Colorado. Debra’s career journey began with an entry level position as n the mail room at Public Service Company, launching her into a field that became her life’s passion – helping others achieve their professional and personal goals. Debra then moved to a higher-level role with Roche Colorado, now Corden.

Recognized for her personal attention to employees needs, as well as a highly attuned focus on business development goals, Debra shot through the ranks of Corden, securing the top human resources role for the now 700-employee business and assuming executive responsibilities for environmental compliance and safety. In a field that is dominated by men, Debra became an integral leader in the company’s path from a struggling cast-off manufacturing facility to a leading contract pharmaceutical production site for the world’s top pharmaceutical company.

Violeta Chapin | Clinical Professor of Law, Associate Dean for Community and Culture, University of Colorado Boulder

Professor Violeta Chapin directs the Immigration Defense Clinic at the University of Colorado Law School in Boulder, CO. She and her students represent noncitizen clients navigating both the criminal and immigration legal systems, defending clients in both state and federal court. Professor Chapin and her students also support undocumented students, international students, asylum seekers and unaccompanied minors seeking immigration protections.

Professor Chapin also serves as Associate Dean for Community & Culture at Colorado Law. She and her team encourage and support the thoughtful exchange of diverse ideas and experiences within the law school community, welcoming all students, faculty, staff and alumni wishing to engage in some of the most contentious issues of our times.

Prof. Chapin joined the Colorado Law faculty in August of 2009 after serving for seven years as a defense attorney with the Public Defender Service for the District of Columbia. She attended college at Columbia University in New York City and received her law degree from New York University School of Law.

Paloma Delgado-Corchado | Emerging Youth Award

Paloma is a freshman at Cornell College studying pre-med. She is dedicated to making a positive difference in her community locally and abroad. As a bilingual and bicultural youth leader, she uses her skills to bridge cultures and foster inclusion.

Paloma has gained hands-on experience through her work at the Boulder County Farmers Market, where she provided bilingual customer service, and as a Student Ambassador with the Longmont Sister Cities Association, where she represented her city and built meaningful cross-cultural connections.

Deeply committed to service, she has also volunteered with various local churches, Ayusa International, the “I Have A Dream” Foundation, and several local organizations. Paloma is passionate about pursuing medicine in college and is driven by her goal to combine her love of health equity with her commitment to community impact.

To reflect the spirited opening in front of a sold-out crowd, led by our Business Women’s Leadership Group President, Christine Harrell — who began the evening by asking, “How are you all doing?” — the audience responded in unison, “Successful!”  

In the spirit of that success, “It was another night to celebrate and honor the remarkable achievements of women in business and in service to our community,” said Boulder Chamber Chief Operating Officer Jacqueline McCauley. “This annual tradition, now in its 30th year, continues to stand as a cornerstone of the Boulder Chamber’s commitment to championing the full diversity of business leadership.” 

“This celebration highlights the extraordinary women who fuel Boulder’s success,” said Boulder Chamber President and CEO John Tayer. “They don’t just light the way — they brighten Boulder’s future.” 

In addition to these honors, and in celebration of the milestone 120th anniversary, the Boulder Chamber introduced the Legacy of Impact Award, recognizing a group of women in a specific sector whose collective leadership has shaped our community during times of profound need.

Legacy of Impact Honorees

Suzanne Crawford | CEO, Sister Carmen Community Center

Suzanne has served as the CEO of Sister Carmen Community Center since January 2005. Before SCCC, she worked for the American Red Cross for in Disaster Services and as the Boulder/ Broomfield Branch Manager, where she worked on disasters including wildfires and 9/11 response in New York City.

At SCCC she has expanded the capability of the organization by increasing the cash budget from $345,000 to over $4 million dollars. Under her leadership, SCCC transformed from a food pantry and thrift store to a Family Resource Center offering a wide variety of programs designed to increase equity and support families along the path to stability.

These programs include digital literacy, leadership training, parenting programs, financial assistance, cooking and exercise classes, an organic garden, and financial support for adult learners completing higher education. Additionally, Suzanne has served in leadership roles for the Human Service Alliance since 2006 and is a former Chair of the Boulder County Family Resource Network.

She currently serves on the Family Resource Center Association and the Scientific and Cultural Facilities District Boards.

Julie Van Domelen | Retired Executive Director, Emergency Family Assistance Association

As Executive Director at the Emergency Family Assistance Association (EFAA) for the last 10+ years, Julie Van Domelen led EFAA to deepen its impact on helping local residents stabilize and achieve greater economic resilience over the longer-term.

EFAA became a Family Resource Center in close collaboration with other agencies, developing a consistent network of services across Boulder County. EFAA increased its presence in the mountain communities and deepened its engagement and advocacy voice in improving broader conditions in the community. Julie ensured that EFAA played a vital local safety net role throughout the COVID pandemic.

Prior to EFAA, Julie was the 3-term Mayor of Lyons (through the 2013 flood) and spent over 20 years working internationally in the fields of poverty reduction, social protection, safety nets, and community-driven development with the World Bank, mainly in Africa and Latin America.

Edwina Salazar | Retired Executive Director, OUR Center

Edwina Marie Salazar, MSW, is a Colorado native with deep roots in the San Luis Valley. She brings five decades of partnering with others in community service and social work, including two decades as Executive Director of the Outreach United Resource Center (OUR Center).

During her tenure, Edwina led the capital campaign for a new OUR Center facility, guided its transition to a family resource center, and oversaw the Aspen Center for Child Development’s achievement of a five-star child care rating. Her extensive career encompasses community coordination, clinical social work, and executive leadership.

She has served on various boards and continues to serve and engage in community and cultural initiatives including Longmont Rotary Charity Fund, El Comite, Compass Resonance (Boulder Bach Festival), and Boulder County Business Hall of Fame. She loves telling stories to second graders at Timbeline School through the St. Vrain Valley Storytellers.

Her community garden space is her place of inspiration and poetry is her creative expression.

Selected from over 100 individual nominations by peers, mentors, friends, and colleagues, these women embody the spirit of the Boulder Chamber and the commitment to business success and community vitality.

The Boulder Chamber and Boulder Chamber Business Women’s Leadership Group were honored to recognize these individuals who are shaping a more vibrant, inclusive, and empowered future for Boulder and beyond in their dedicated areas of work and service.

In addition to this prestigious award, Paloma Delgado-Corchado was presented with a $1,500 scholarship. The Emerging Youth Award recognizes a rising leader among our young adults who has made a significant impact or committed effort toward addressing a meaningful business, organization, or community need.

The 2025 Women Who Light The Community Awards Ceremony was presented by Corden Pharma.