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.

2024 Award Applications  

Applications for the 2024 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award will open on May 15. Be sure to return then to learn how you can submit your application for this year's award.

Eligibility requirements

To be eligible, candidates must:

• Be aged 16 -21 years old
• Live in Colorado
• Identify as a woman
• Demonstrate leadership in the community
• Be available to give an in-person speech to approximately 2,500 people on Thursday, September 21 at The Colorado Convention Center
• Provide a valid social security number or taxpayer I.D. to accept the $2,500 award (if selected)

Questions?

If you have questions about the Dottie Lamm Leadership Award or volunteering as an application reviewer, please contact Elva Escobedo, events manager, at elvae@wfco.org. 

Meet Our 2023 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award Winner

Meet Ayan Husein! 

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 2023 Dottie Lamm Leadership Award winner is Ayan Husein of University of Colorado Boulder. Congratulations, Ayan! 

We celebrate your resilience, leadership, and tenacity. 

Read her inspiring speech from our 2023 Annual Luncheon!