Ollie Casaretto
General Manager at Indochine Cuisine
What are you passionate about?
My passion is creating a space where people feel truly welcomed and safe, especially those who often struggle to find food they can trust. Working alongside my mentor, Yume Tran, has shown me how much care and intention go into every detail. That has shaped who I am as a leader. At Indochine Cuisine, I’m committed to protecting that culture of inclusion, authenticity and gluten-free excellence so every guest can relax, enjoy their meal and feel like they belong. Being part of that experience is deeply meaningful to me.
How do you find inspiration?
I’m inspired by the joy of sharing food and bringing people together. Seeing guests discover our gluten-free rangoon and knowing they can eat safely is incredibly powerful. I’ve watched people cry after their first bite. Moments like that stay with me. It reminds me that what we do is bigger than a meal; it’s about trust, connection and belonging.
What is your encouragement for other women?
My encouragement for other women is to work hard, stay humble and seek out mentors who truly walk the walk. Growth works like a compound effect when the quiet habits and small improvements you commit to every day add up in ways you can’t see at first. I’ve learned that success isn’t about having all the answers; it’s about listening, being willing to be coached and showing up consistently.
Erin Donahue-Paynter
Broker Owner, MX Connections Real Estate
Could you please share about the “Move Over for Cody Act?”
My brother, Colorado State Trooper Cody Donahue, lost his life in a tragic roadside accident while helping motorists on the shoulder of I-25. A law requiring drivers to move over a lane when approaching flashing lights already existed to protect law enforcement, firefighters, EMTs, tow truck drivers and construction workers, but failure to abide by this law was only a misdemeanor. Cody's widow and I worked with the CO State legislature to pass the Move Over for Cody Act, which makes the failure to move over to a felony in cases where the accident results in a loss of life. It was very important to us to raise awareness. There are no words to accurately describe the devastation caused by his loss, especially for his two young children. More than anything, we would like to prevent this kind of tragedy from ever happening again because it is 100% preventable.
You have a passion to serve. How can we be more aware and serve each other better in our community?
I think we all have those moments where we see something that’s not right and we think, “someone should……..” But who? Why not me? As citizens, we all have a responsibility to make things better, to keep our communities safe, and to make things right when we can.
What do you love about raising your family in Parker?
I love raising my family in Parker because it’s so easy to get outside and be active. There are so many beautiful parks and trails. My kids love being outside; one of our favorite family activities is exploring parks we’ve never visited before.
Cris Sierra Nolan
Co-Owner of Darren & Phillip, a lifestyle apparel brand for dog lovers.
What are you excited about in 2026?
If I’m being honest, 2025 was one of the hardest periods of my life. Tariffs threatened my business, and in the middle of it all, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was one of those years that forces you to slow down, take a deep breath and get really clear about what matters most (usually somewhere between school drop-offs and a quiet walk around McCabe Meadows).
Because of that, 2026 feels like a fresh chapter and a year of renewal. I’m dreaming BIG, and I want to see Darren & Phillip land on Oprah’s Favorite Things this year; I want to become a fellow with the Tory Burch Foundation; I want to be crowned as our next Mrs. Colorado on April 4th at the Ellie Caulkins Opera House because representing Douglas County is such an honor.
Life feels softer and more intentional on the other side of last year’s challenges.
How do you find inspiration?
I find so much inspiration in other women, especially strong, generous female leaders. I love surrounding myself with women who lift as they climb. Sara Blakely is a huge inspiration to me. Her authenticity, humor and willingness to fail forward remind me that success doesn’t have to be stiff or perfect; it can be human.
My biggest inspiration, though, will always be my family!
What encouragement do you have for women?
We are so much better together. We need each other to share our stories, cheer each other on and say yes to coffee dates, trail walks and spontaneous Target and HomeGoods runs. Basically, it’s two words: girl tribe. Community is everything! I love partnering with Longer Tables to help bring people together.
And I’d be remiss not to share an important health reminder: please advocate for yourself. I had to become the expert of my own healthcare and I’m so glad I did. I don't want our health to be a point of anxiety for us, but rather a point of empowerment. May we all live longer, healthier lives surrounded by our tribes.
Ashley Proctor
RN, HWNC-BC, Medical Oncology
What are you most excited about in 2026?
In 2026, I am most excited about continuing to prioritize my well-being so that I may continue to put energy into helping others. I am also excited about our new Well-being Council at the hospital that I founded, which will be collaborating to host and encourage a variety of wellness events for the staff (such as yoga, dance, tai chi, volunteering and hiking).
How has your own experience fueled your passion?
Throughout my years as a nurse, I've witnessed many healthcare workers sacrifice their own well-being to take care of others. In 2020, I began working in an ICU and watched as everyone around me began struggling with mental health, including myself. At first, I blamed the healthcare system as a whole, but I soon realized that by doing so, I felt powerless. I decided to focus on what I can control, which is myself and my own care of my patients. I signed up for an online Holistic Nursing and Nurse Coaching certification program. The first full month of that program was dedicated to teaching us the importance of taking care of ourselves. This revelation sparked a wellness journey that I still continue to this day. When I am rested, fueled and strong, I have more energy and more resilience. This self-care has fueled my passion for nursing and helps prevent me from getting burnt out.
What is your advice and encouragement for those experiencing burnout?
My advice surrounding burnout is to be aware of the symptoms and speak up if you start to notice a shift towards burnout. (Common symptoms of burnout are constant fatigue, emotional exhaustion, detachment from work and lack of motivation.)
I would also encourage people to routinely evaluate the different areas of their lives to see where they can make small shifts to improve their well-being. Those small shifts can make a huge difference over time (such as getting just a little bit more sleep, drinking more water, finding new, enjoyable ways to add movement into our days). By taking care of ourselves, we are able to continue caring for others for longer and actually enjoy it as well.
Yume Tran
Executive-Chef/Co-Owner at Indochine Cuisine
What makes you passionate as a leader and business owner in Parker?
What drives me as a leader is knowing our work touches real families in our community every day. Many of our employees grew up eating at our restaurant and later joined our team. We even have a waiting list of local kids who hope to work with us. That trust means everything to me. We run our workplace as a launchpad, not a lifelong holding place. We don’t measure success by how long someone stays; we measure it by how prepared they are when they leave. Running a business in Parker isn’t just about serving food — it’s about creating a space where young people build discipline, confidence and financial awareness that will shape their futures. When customers feel known, and employees feel invested in their own growth, the business becomes more than a workplace; it becomes a stepping stone toward something bigger.
What are you most excited about in 2026?
I’m excited to keep growing with intention. For 2026, my focus is on improving efficiency, expanding our gluten-free innovation and strengthening the systems that allow our team to thrive. We’ve become well known in the gluten-free community as a place people can eat safely and confidently. Personally, I’m excited to continue shaping a business that supports real work-life balance, so our staff and my family can enjoy the success we’re building together.
What is your encouragement to other business owners?
My encouragement to other business owners is to build for longevity, not just momentum. Focus on consistency, protect your standards and plan financially for the future, both yours and your employees’. Invest in people in a way that helps them grow beyond your walls, because strong businesses don’t trap talent; they develop it.
Shannon Carter
Owner of Nest on Mainstreet
What are you most excited about in 2026?
As Nest on Mainstreet approaches its third anniversary in Parker, I’m incredibly excited about the continued growth and energy happening in our downtown. With new restaurants, apartments and shops opening, Mainstreet is becoming an even more vibrant gathering place for the community.
One of the things I love most about owning Nest is curating a space where people can slow down for a moment: browse, laugh and discover something meaningful for themselves, their home, their pets or someone they love. Creating a welcoming place that brings people together and celebrates thoughtful, joyful living is what inspires me every day. I’m excited to continue building that experience for our community in the years ahead. I am excited for the strolling weather, the music on the porch and all the fun events coming on Mainstreet and at Nest that make Nest unique and amazing.
Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw a lot of inspiration from everyday life with my family and friends, and I don't think I am any different than the other women who call Parker home! I have two boys ages 12 and 14, a new husband, step-children, two dogs and a large network of family and friends! Life isn’t always easy, and neither is owning a small business, but those relationships and experiences shape how I curate Nest. When I show up for my store every day, whether physically or mentally, I’m always thinking about the things that make life more joyful, meaningful and a little lighter.
Creating that kind of experience for the community is what inspires me every day.
What is your encouragement to the community?
My encouragement to the community is to slow down and take it all in. Life moves quickly and can feel hectic for all of us, but the moments we spend with family, friends and our community are the ones that truly matter.
I also encourage people to take the leap if there’s something they’ve been dreaming about.
Shanna Schmidt
REALTOR® | Co-Owner, Next Chapter Partners (brokered by Madison & Company Properties)
Co-Founder, The Parker Insiders
Founder, Ladies of Parker Social Networking Group
Could you share about The Parker Insiders and your goals to keep people connected?
The Parker Insiders was born out of a simple realization. My husband, Brad, and I kept discovering incredible local businesses that we didn't even know existed, and at the same time, our clients didn't know about them either. That didn't sit right with us.
One of the things we love most about Parker is that "people helping people" mindset. It still feels so much like a small town, even with all the growth.
Through The Parker Insiders, we spotlight small businesses and nonprofits with high-quality, intentional marketing and storytelling. Based on community feedback, we are currently working on ways to highlight even more local businesses and entrepreneurs in a way that's more accessible and impactful.
At the end of the day, our goal is simple: we are committed to helping Parker grow without losing what makes it Parker.
Where do you draw your inspiration from?
The small business owners who keep showing up, giving back where they can, and choosing Parker are incredibly motivating and inspiring to me.
I grew up in a small town in western Nebraska, where support was there before you even had to ask. Now, living in Parker, I see so many of those same great qualities, and I feel a personal and professional responsibility to help protect and build on that.
At the same time, I kept seeing people actively looking for connection, especially women sharing how hard it is to make friends as adults. Instead of simply relating to that and moving on, I decided to create something. That is really how both The Parker Insiders and Ladies of Parker came to life.
Community is built in ordinary moments. My goal is to create more opportunities for those moments to happen.
What is your encouragement to the Parker community?
My encouragement is simple: do not sit on the sidelines. If you want a more connected, supportive and collaborative Parker, help create it.
Katie Lamb
Women’s Basketball Student Athlete at Fort Lewis College
Could you share about your passion for basketball and sports?
Growing up, sports were an important part of my family, but basketball always stood out above the rest. While we all watched and played in a variety of sports, our shared passion for basketball was unmatched. My brother, Tanner, played a significant role in shaping my interest. I looked up to him and wanted to follow in his footsteps. We spent countless hours watching NBA games, playing on the mini hoop, watching and cheering at each other’s rec games and engaging in anything basketball-related, and usually ending in us arguing because of how competitive we are, which made me tough. As I entered my teenage years, that early interest evolved into a deep passion and love for the game that has remained a constant in my life.
How do you find inspiration when things get hard?
When things become challenging, I intentionally return to my support system and focus on gratitude. My first semester of college was very difficult. I was homesick, adjusting to a demanding schedule, experiencing collegiate-level workouts for the first time and having to build new friendships. During those moments, I reminded myself how fortunate I was to have the opportunity to play college basketball, to get an education with financial support through basketball and to have a strong, supportive family behind me. By focusing on gratitude, I was able to get through challenging times from a new perspective and realized that the things I am grateful for always outweigh the challenges I was facing.
How would you like to encourage students who are following their dreams?
I would encourage students to just keep believing in themselves and continue to work hard every single day. Find your support system and keep them close. And the biggest piece of advice I have for students following their dreams is to always look at how much you have accomplished and don’t compare yourself and your dreams to others, because everyone's path is different for a reason. So often, we focus on where we want to be, and we don’t realize how far we have come.