In Northern Colorado, where mountains rise and communities thrive, a powerful undercurrent of compassion flows quietly but forcefully—led by women who have turned their success into service. These women are entrepreneurs, executives, and business owners who have partnered with Realities For Children, an organization dedicated to supporting children who have been abused, neglected, or are at risk. Together, they are reimagining what it means to do business with heart.
For Christina Gressianu, a photographer whose lens captures the soul of a moment, Realities For Children offers a way to magnify her values. “Those tiny voices around us are so often ignored or unnoticed. My heart wants every soul to feel loved and cared for, but I can’t do it all myself. Realities For Children is a wonderful way to amplify my values. I love what they do, and their hearts in doing it all.”
Tami K. Spaulding, with The Group Inc., echoes the sentiment of purposeful alignment. “Choosing to be a Business Member with Realities For Children is an easy decision. When you see how they are helping children who have been abused, neglected, or are at risk, it’s the very least I can do to be a small part of this big-picture effort.” She adds, “Thank you, Craig and Molly Secher, for your vision and continued efforts. I’m very proud to be part of it.”
Ann Baron shares a deeply personal connection. Adopted at age four, she knows firsthand the life-changing power of nonprofit work. “The mission of Realities For Children is one I’m passionate about. No child should be left behind. Every penny from their fundraising supports nearly 40 local nonprofits—and all the resources stay right here in our community. That matters.”
Shari Johnson, owner of Elevate 4:14 LLC, had long admired Realities For Children even before opening her business. “It was always a goal of mine to become a Business Member. Our future is in the hands of children, and it takes a village. Realities reminds us that we are the village—and we can make a difference.”
Janice Oldemeyer of I.T. Refresh highlights the power of collective impact. “We strongly believe in supporting the community where we live and work. We can find no better way than through supporting Realities For Children and their mission to provide emergency and ongoing support to vulnerable children in Northern Colorado.”
At Kilwin’s Chocolates, Fudge & Ice Cream, Holli McElwee believes in giving back—sweetly. “Through our Gold Membership, we proudly support Realities For Children. Their work ensures that youth and partner agencies receive essential services, emergency funding, and critical resources year-round. They also bring joy through programs like Bikes for Tykes and Santa’s Workshop—creating sweet moments that make childhoods brighter.”
Cindy DeGroot of Markley Motors emphasizes how aligned values drive meaningful partnerships. “We deeply resonate with the vision of Realities For Children. We believe in the power of community and giving back. Realities fosters collaboration and fiscal efficiency to serve these vulnerable young lives, and we are proud to be part of a network making a lasting impact.”
For Susan Walker, at MacKenzie Place Fort Collins—a Leisure Care Senior Living Community—the connection is long-standing and multi-generational. “Partnering with Realities For Children perfectly reflects our values. As a proud Business Member for 14 years, our residents and staff find meaning in supporting children through gifting, fundraising, and hosting the Festival of Trees. Realities unites people of all ages in lifting up children who have been abused, neglected, or are at risk.”
And for Jahna Eichel, CEO of The Creative Agency and Fort Collins City Lifestyle, the decision to join was rooted in both purpose and responsibility.
“We believe in using our platforms to elevate causes that matter. Becoming a Business Member with Realities For Children was a natural extension of our mission to serve with purpose. Supporting an organization that provides hope, healing, and tangible resources to children in crisis aligns perfectly with our values—and reminds us that true impact starts at home, within our own community.”
Each of these women has built something extraordinary in their own right. Yet their choice to support Realities For Children reflects a deeper truth: business isn’t just about profit—it’s about people. And through this organization, they’ve joined a movement to ensure no child in Northern Colorado is forgotten.
Because when women lead with compassion, communities rise. And when businesses invest in childhood, they build not just a future—but a legacy.
“The mission of Realities For Children is one I’m passionate about. No child should be left behind. Every penny from their fundraising supports nearly 40 local nonprofits—and all the resources stay right here in our community. That matters.”