2022 Annual Luncheon

Athlete, Advocate, & Entrepreneur Allyson Felix Is The 2022 Annual Luncheon Speaker

On and off the track, Felix strives to be “Faster, Stronger, Greater”

Allyson Felix holding her Olympic medals Allyson Felix, the most decorated track & field U.S. Olympian in history, will be the guest speaker at our 2022 Annual Luncheon “Faster, Stronger, Greater.” Felix also is recognized as an advocate of women and mothers, using her voice to bring attention to systemic inequities such as discrimination against pregnant people, Black maternal health, and access to child care.

Since competing in her first Olympic Games in Athens in 2004, her results on the track are unrivaled. Racing primarily in the 200-meter, 400-meter, and 4x400-meter relay, she captured 13 global titles, 11 Olympic medals, 10 U.S. Championships, and a world record. In 2019, just 10 months after the birth of her daughter, she broke Usain Bolt’s record for holding the most world titles.

While she is most recognized for breaking records on the track, she advances and accelerates change for women by breaking gender norms off the track. In 2019, she left her high-profile Nike sponsorship over what she felt were a lack of maternity protections. In an opinion piece she published in The New York Times, she stated, “I’ve been one of Nike’s most widely marketed athletes. If I can’t secure maternity protections, who can?” The op-ed led to the brand’s revision of contracts to include more protections for pregnant athletes.

With new sponsor Athleta and the Women’s Sports Foundation, she created a fund to help athletes pay for child care expenses while competing at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

Additionally, Felix uses her voice to bring attention to the health inequities that Black pregnant women experience. Felix was diagnosed with severe pre-eclampsia when she was 32 weeks pregnant and underwent an emergency c-section to deliver her daughter. Given her level of fitness, she never imagined she would experience pregnancy complications, but she later learned that Black women are three to four times more likely to die during delivery than white mothers.

Today, she is among the 17 percent of Black women who have started or are starting their own businesses. During the pandemic, she founded Saysh, a shoe company and lifestyle brand built for women by women. When she won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, she was wearing spikes from her own line.

“Allyson Felix inspired a generation of runners to be faster, stronger, and greater,” said Lauren Y. Casteel, WFCO president and CEO. “But regardless of background, identity, or ability – all luncheon guests will find inspiration in her using her platform and position on the podium to bring all women across the finish line with her.”

On Your Marks, Get Set, Go! Save Your Seat Today!

We're going for gold for Colorado women and their families at our 2022 Annual Luncheon and we want you with us! We're excited to announce that individual tickets and tables are now available.

Together, let’s catalyze a community that is FASTER, STRONGER, GREATER for all Colorado women. Save your seat for our luncheon today. We can't wait to see you there!

Special Thank You!

Thank you to the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Museum for allowing us to film in their space and making Lauren’s race to the finish line possible!

Meet Our 2022 Annual Luncheon Co-Chairs

Elizabeth Dahill

Elizabeth has been a member of The Women’s Foundation Annual Luncheon committee for five years. She rallies and is committed to the mission and vision of WFCO. She secures extraordinary sponsors year after year for the Annual Luncheon. Recognizing the value of women empowering women through kindness, support, and encouragement, Elizabeth is a passionate and outspoken advocate of the organization.

In 2013, Elizabeth’s entrepreneurial spirit helped her establish a recruiting company in an industry historically male dominated. Her company, The Dahill Group, strives to provide equal employment opportunities through pay and equality for women. She provides expertise and guidance to her candidates and colleagues. She works with individuals entering the workforce as well as senior managers and executives. Elizabeth is a member of many industry associations including Women in Oil and Gas. She also participates in various industry events and speaking engagements.

Born and raised in the oil and gas industry in Wyoming, Elizabeth gained valuable background and expertise for her business. Family is the center point of her life. As one of seven children, Elizabeth can always rely on her siblings' expertise and insight. Her family has grown to include 15 nieces and nephews and 9 grand nieces and nephews.

Elizabeth enjoys traveling and is always searching for the perfect white sand beach and the right size ocean waves.

Luella Chavez D'Angelo

Luella Chavez D’Angelo is a driven leader who tackles challenges with focus, innovation, and integrity. Serving as a change agent, she leads strategic marketing, communications, business development, and corporate social responsibility to improve organizational narratives, customer loyalty, and reputations. Luella’s talents in partnering with key stakeholders result in impactful outcomes for growth and success for all involved. Instilling a culture of belonging, Luella is passionate about setting an inclusive approach to overcoming biases and infusing equitable approaches wherever she can. Luella’s leadership has positively impacted the Colorado Inclusive Economy (CIE), United States Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC), University of Colorado (CU), and Western Union (WU). Luella has coupled ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility), DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusivity), and strategic communications throughout her career delivering positive results while monitoring metrics that fuel initiatives and bottom-line and brand growth.

In her most recent position as Chief Executive Officer at Colorado Inclusive Economy (CIE), she is leading a state-wide initiative in partnership with 150+ CEOs and organizations to propel diverse workforce opportunities and support Colorado’s economy to work for all. Previously Luella served as Chief Global Communications Officer at Western Union where she guided 40+ staff focused on corporate marketing, communications, CSR, and CEO branding initiatives.

Luella also has a passion for coaching executives who are in career transitions and serves as a senior advisor at Lee Hecht Harrison. She has served on 11 boards of directors in volunteer, chair, and appointed roles. Luella has been honored with career awards and distinctions, such as the prestigious Del Hock Award for Community Service from the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce.