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Inspired Changemakers

These Movers+Shakers Say Focusing On Others, Getting Uncomfortable and Taking A Chance Have Helped Them Stretch For Their Goals

Jillyan McKinney

CEO, Littleton Adventist Hospital

I am the CEO at Centura-Littleton Adventist Hospital. I live in Highlands Ranch with my husband Tony, my dad James and my son Tre (James, III). We are a family that loves to travel and experience new cultures. I am a Christian and a member of the Seventh-day Adventist church and that along with my work calls me to servant leadership. I think sharing in a meaningful human connection will only feed the spirit of our communities. I’ve been involved with Doctors Care in Littleton and the American Heart Association.

How do you stretch yourself to reach for your goals?

A long time ago I changed my goal from being a leader or CEO to the goal of making an impact in my world. I realized that I got the most fulfillment out of impact and effectiveness with others and in my work environment. When I focused on that, opportunities came my way. It was more fun and rewarding that way and it’s brought me to places I never thought I’d be, like Colorado, and it’s such a blessing.

What's the best advice you've ever received?  

Live your life out loud and be your authentic self, it’s the only thing others can’t duplicate or take from you.

What's some great advice you could give another woman wanting to start something new?  

Just start. Know you are capable of doing it, learning, changing and growing.

Who do you admire most in your life? 

My mother. She was my real life example of how to be a well rounded, loving leader. She did it all: family and friends, professional work (she is a physician), health and well-being, all while being kind and loving! I’ve got big shoes I dream of filling.

www.mylittletonhospital.org

Dr. Angela Osborn

Owner/Dentist, Osborn Advanced Dentistry

I am a calm, caring, trusted dentist, entrepreneur, wife and above all, a mom. My family resides in Douglas County near Castle Rock. The joy in my life is my family: son Gage,10, and daughter, Alexis, 6. I’ve been married to my husband and partner, Mike for nearly 15 years. I established a scratch dental practice in 2001 as only the second dentist in the city of Lone Tree. 

What’s the best advice you ever received?

The best advice I have ever received is from my late dear friend Jon Ricks: ”When you absolutely have to make a decision in life, the answer will be perfectly clear”.

What's some great advice you could give another woman wanting to start something new?  

The best advice I can offer is to brush and maintain your smile. A healthy attractive smile is critical to confidence and presenting your best first impression, both personally and professionally.

Who do you admire most?

I admire my children the most of anyone in life. They have a sense of innocence, caring and promise that is refreshing and inspirational.

What is your biggest indulgence?

A massage followed by a cinnamon latte.

www.osborndental.com  

Karli Millspaugh

Owner, Curate Mercantile, Makers Market, Orchard Farmers Market and Unique Boutique craft fair

I couldn’t do it all without support from my amazing husband, Brent. Together we live in Parker with our almost-4-year-old son, Kade. We share a love for community and entertaining. From our annual Christmas cookie exchange to Sunday night dinners, it’s important for us to spend time in fellowship with people we care about.

How do you stretch yourself to reach for your goals?

I spent 15+ years in public relations and marketing before quitting my job with the idea of following my dream. Now I spend my days working for the good of more than 150 small, creative vendors. We use our various stores, markets and craft fairs to showcase their work to shoppers who continually call us their “happy place” for gifts and local goods. But nothing has been as rewarding and fulfilling as owning these amazing stores and helping other “creatives” build their businesses.  I give all those people who dream of having a small shop the chance to achieve it. I do it because I wanted it so badly myself and I don’t want those same doubts and fears stop anyone else from realizing their dreams! I’m trying to remove those barriers (overhead, staffing, administrative work, etc.), so others can succeed through brick and mortar stores!

What's the best advice you've ever received?

Trust your gut. I think we often try to set aside “red flags” we may be feeling because, on paper, everything seems fine. But I’ve learned that my instincts are right nine times out of 10.

What's some great advice you could give another woman wanting to start something new?

We can’t all have the same calling in life. And just because someone else’s path or calling is different than yours, doesn’t mean either one is wrong. The comparison game that women tend to fall into will be the quickest killer of your dreams. I tell this to our creative vendors all the time, but if you truly believe in “community over competition,” you’ll be amazed at the positive energy your business will receive. I have to remind myself of this truth all the time. I’m not immune to the comparison game, but I also know that focusing on the “have and have-nots” doesn’t do anything to propel me forward.

Who do you admire most in your life?

My mom was the ultimate creative force in my life, teaching me what it looked like to make merchandise, set beautiful displays and run an awesome craft fair. She had me counting back money to shoppers when I was 10. My dad, on the other hand, taught me about working “smart” while being frugal and money-wise. 

www.CurateMercantile.com or www.MakersMarketCO.com 

Christy Cassidy-Bortz

Marriage and family counselor; Founder of Widow's Walk

I reside in Lone Tree with my husband, Brian. I am a mom to five adult children and “Honey” to five of the sweetest grand-littles. To know me is to understand that my people are my heart. In 2011, I decided to return to school to obtain a Master of Arts Counseling from Colorado Christian University. I also completed a post-graduate program in Marriage and Family through Denver Family Institute in 2019.

How do you stretch yourself to reach for your goals?

On February 23, 2000, at the age of 37, I became a widow as a result of my first husband's completed suicide. At the time of his death, my children were between the ages of 8-15 years. What I had known to be or thought I could count on was wholly devastated on that day. My husband’s completed suicide immediately changed the trajectory of my life and the lives of my children. As a result, I became an advocate for suicide prevention. And as a young widow, I recognized that resources were limited or non-existent for women like myself. In 2009, I began the non-profit Widow's Walk to support other widowed women around our country and the world

What's the best advice you've ever received? 

The best advice I received as a wide-eyed, non-profit novice was to hold precious experiences that were joyful and easy because, at some point, I would need to look back to see where I had been for the inspiration to keep moving forward. 

What's some excellent advice you could give another woman wanting to start something new? As women, I think we frequently talk ourselves out of, rather than into, our ideas and dreams. I've learned that it isn't all or nothing; we can pursue goals and dreams as a result of having supportive family and friends.

hello@acuitycounselinggroup.com303-877-8220; @acuity_counseling

Allison Langenderfer

Co-Founder of Spavia Day Spa

I am Allison Langenderfer and Co-Founder of Spavia Day Spa and Sway life spa with my husband, Marty Langenderfer. My husband is a native Coloradan and we have resided in Lone Tree for the past 15 years. We have three children Joe, 23, Emily, 21, and John, 19.
 

How do you stretch yourself to reach your goals?

Our mission and vision are to make a difference in others, one guest at a time. We have a program called Spavia Cares where no matter who asks, we are poised to help and support in meaningful ways. We have 45 locations around the country with another 50 in development and at the core, we are about building stronger communities to help them relax, recenter and renew. Our new concept Sway, will focus on millennials in urban spaces.

What's the best advice you've ever received?

From my father, “always give someone five minutes of your time because you never know what you will learn’.

What's some great advice you could give another woman wanting to start something new? 

If it’s your passion, do it. Life is about risk, taking chances along with failures but it may come some amazing results.

Who do you admire most in your life?

My family. There is so much to a family that takes love, commitment, dedication, and support, through the good times and the bad. Our children created Sway and seeing their vision come to life is amazing!

What is your indulgence of choice?

I love my massages and facials. They help me recenter and renew! I also love to cook and love to take cooking classes. I love volunteering with horses and they ground me and remind me that the simple things in life are free. My other ‘indulgence’ is spending time with friends.

www.spaviadayspa.com

@spaviadayspa

allison@spaviadayspa.com

Diane M. Simard

Aerospace executive, COPE founder, author

I am the founder of the Center for Oncology Psychology Excellence (COPE) at the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Professional Psychology. I am executive vice president and a member of the Board of Directors of Bye Aerospace, which is developing and test flying a proof-of-concept prototype of the two-seat eFlyer 2 all-electric airplane at Centennial Airport.

I grew up in central Nebraska, and Highlands Ranch has been home for the past 16 years. I am 54 and blessed to be married to retired Air Force Chief Master Sergeant, Rene Simard. 

How do you stretch yourself to reach for your goals?

During the 10 brutal months of treatment for breast cancer in 2015, I was alarmed by the psychological impact the traumatic experience had on me. So, I set out to find a counselor to help me deal with depression and anxiety, and I discovered a lack of mental health professionals trained to work with cancer patients, survivors, and caregivers. I then set out to found COPE, the first specialty in the country to train graduate-level clinical psychology students how to work with cancer patients, survivors and caregivers. Now, I am helping another major university to establish a certificate in psycho-oncology, based in part on the COPE model. 

What's some great advice you could give another woman wanting to start something new?

Strive to be the best, the most unique, and the first. If possible, maintain an income stream when launching a new idea so you can be prepared for the time it might take for your idea to take hold.

Who do you admire most in your life?

I currently admire the two young women who heard about COPE and my cancer experience, and soon after decided to pursue doctorate degrees in psycho-oncology.

www.DianeMSimard.com

+ Special thanks to Ben Smith, community manager of BackCountry housing community in Highlands Ranch, and Sarah Banget, top real estate advisor at Compass Realty, for providing access to the beautiful Sundial House at BackCountry for the Highlands Ranch Lifestyle May Movers+Shakers photoshoot.

+ Thanks also to Mainstream Boutique Highlands Ranch, located at Central Park Shops, 1485 Park Central Drive Suite 100. Reach them at (303) 471- 7396. @mainstreamhighlandsranch

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