2022 Annual Luncheon

Already Purchased Your Ticket? Here's What You Need to Know!

Information for in-person attendees:

Check-in at the Colorado Convention Center will begin at 11:00am and doors open at 11:15. The program begins at 11:30 in the Mile High Ballroom.

Location:

The Colorado Convention Center
700th St. Denver, CO

Enter at the Big Blue Bear on Fourteenth Street and proceed straight ahead to the Mile High Ballroom. There will be several signs directing you to the ballroom.

An unattended coat check will be available in the reception area.

Getting to the Luncheon:

If you are comfortable, consider alternative transportation in order to avoid traffic (and parking fees!). Denver's RTD system offers bus as well as rail transportation.

Parking is available in the Colorado Convention Center's parking garage and there are several surface lots within walking distance. You can also use an app like Spot Hero to find and book parking.

Lactation Room:

The mama'hood, a Denver-based company that builds community for new moms and families that addresses all of their pre- and post-natal needs, will generously provide a lactation room for the event. More information will be available at the registration tables.

Accessibility & Dietary Restrictions:

The Women's Foundation of Colorado is committed to accessibility and inclusion for all people.

Please note that our meal is served family style, with options that allow it to be vegetarian, gluten-, or vegan-friendly.

ASL interpretive services will be provided for guests with translation needs. Please notify us in advance if you would like to take advantage of these services.

There will be a mobile cart at the front of the convention center to transport you to The Mile High Ballroom should you need. Elevators are located straight back towards the ballroom, continue past the escalators and the elevator is located on the back wall to the right hand side.

If you have any additional dietary restrictions, need accommodations, or have any other questions, please contact Kaylyn Fern at kaylynf@wfco.org.

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.