Investing in EMERGING LEADERS
The Dottie Lamm Leadership Award
About Dottie Lamm
Former First Lady of Colorado Dottie Lamm is a legendary leader and activist. She was also a founding mother of The Women’s Foundation of Colorado, making her mark as the first board chair. In 1987, we created the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award to honor her commitment to advancing opportunities for women throughout the state of Colorado.
The first Dottie Lamm Leadership Award was granted in 1988 and has been awarded annually to up-and-coming Colorado community leaders.
2023 Award Applications
Applications for the 2023 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award will open late Spring, 2023.
Eligibility requirements
To be eligible, candidates must:
- Be aged 16 -21 years-old
- Live in Colorado
- Identify as a woman
- Demonstrate that they have overcome challenges and are forging a path to economic security
- Identify a Colorado organization or community resource that made a significant difference in their journey
- Be available to speak at and attend the Annual Luncheon on Friday, October 14 at 11:30 a.m.
- Provide a valid social security number or taxpayer I.D. to accept the $2,500 award (if selected)
Questions?
If you have questions about applying for the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award or volunteering as an application reviewer, please contact Maggie Stoot, director of development, at maggies@wfco.org.
Meet Our 2022 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award Winner

Meet Shelnna Huynh!
Every year the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award honors a young woman’s commitment to advancing and accelerating opportunities for women across the state. We celebrate her resilience and leadership on her own path to economic security.
Our 2022 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award winner is Shelnna Huynh of University of Colorado Denver. Congratulations, Shelnna!
We celebrate your resilience, leadership, and tenacity.
Read her inspiring speech from our 2022 Annual Luncheon!
Meet Some of Our Past Dottie Lamm Leadership Award Winners

Natalie Guerra
Our 2021 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award winner was Natalie Guerra of Denver. Read Natalie's story.

Clarissa Jaime Gonzalez
Our 2020 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award winner was Clarissa Jaime Gonzalez of Denver. Read Clarissa's story.

Ananda Birungi
Our 2019 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award winner was Ananda Birungi of Thornton High School. Read Ananda's story.

Athena Clemens
Our 2018 Dottie Lamm Award Leadership Winner was University of Colorado Boulder graduate, Athena Clemens. Learn more about Athena.