See below for bios

Junior League of Denver Past Presidents

Bios

President: Paige Lentz
I am honored to become the President of the Junior League of Denver and excited about the future of our organization. The upcoming year is full of possibility as we embrace the recommendations of AJLI’s Strategic Roadmap and begin our journey to better understand and define our community impact. Our efforts will be focused on the Denver community; gaining a deep and rich understanding of our community’s needs and then determining how we can use our strengths to address those needs and truly make a difference.

A member of the Junior League of Denver since 2000, I served in various areas of the League including Community, Fundraising, and Communications. I own Monarch Site Services, a commercial environmental remediation and demolition firm and Monarch Design-Build, a residential design build construction firm and am very busy with both ventures. In addition to the Junior League, I serve on the Board of Directors of the Home Builders Foundation, an organization that provides home modifications and accessibility solutions for families with disabilities and a financial need. In my free time I love to ride my bike, backpack, snowshoe with my dogs, and watch the Texas Longhorns. I have been married for twelve years to my husband, Patrick, who is a Director with RBC Daniels.

President Elect: Kristin Brownson
I am elated to serve the Junior League of Denver as the President-Elect. I look forward to leading the JLD during this time of change. I hope to strengthen our community, training, fundraising, public policy, and communications programs all while keeping our focus. I am passionate about giving all members the chance to further their JLD “career” as well as their career outside of the JLD. I joined the Junior League in 2001 and have gained experience by participating on the Colorado Colore cookbook Marketing Committee, as a new member advisor, as a member and chair of the Facilitator Committee, and as the VP of Training. I am a Denver native and proud to be part of this community. I have a Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering and have worked as a project manager for airport development for eleven years. I recently completed my MBA at the University of Colorado and hope to use this knowledge to lead the Junior League of Denver. In my spare time I enjoy skiing, golfing, running, taking wine classes, and spending time with my husband, Stephen.



Administrative Council Vice President: Ashley Miller
I joined the Junior League of Denver as a Provisional in 1997. I had just graduated from the University of Florida with a degree in physical therapy and moved to Colorado. I joined the JLD on the recommendation of my dad (who agreed to pay for my Provisional year if I would give it a try) to get connected and involved in the Denver community. Thirteen years later, I am still an involved member of the Junior League of Denver and a loyal GATOR. Over the past 13 years, I have served the League in a number of areas. My first years in the League were spent on Community Outreach. In my second Active year, I had the privilege to be part of the committee that developed and implemented the original Read2Kids as a millennium project for the JLD. I have also served as a Transfer Advisor, Transfer Committee Chair, Nominating Committee Member, Nominating Committee Chair, and Administrative Assistant to the President where I had the opportunity to observe the Board and its functioning from a unique perspective. I am thrilled now to have the opportunity to serve a second year as the Administrative VP of the League and hope to further the development of the Admin Council. In addition to being a League member, I am the mom of a precocious 3 year old daughter, Kelsey, and an inquisitive 4 ½ year old son, Ethan. My husband, Dan, and I are eagerly awaiting the day when we can fully engage them in our love for the many outdoor activities the Colorado mountains have to offer. On my occasional day off from being a stay home mom, I work part time as a PT specializing in spinal cord injuries at Craig Hospital.



Communications Council Vice President: Kate Cihon
Kate Cihon begins her term as Communications Vice President as a seven year Active member of the Junior League. Kate began her Junior League career in the New York City chapter where she served on the New Lease on Life Committee, which helped incarcerated women at the Bayview Correctional Facility prepare for life after parole. Kate’s education includes a degree in Advertising and a degree in French from the University of Colorado. Kate honed her communications expertise in New York while she worked in Public Relations for Victoria’s Secret Beauty and Estee Lauder. Kate has now switched gears and works in the family business with her father as a financial planner specializing in life insurance and retirement planning. She and her husband Matt live in the Platt Park area and enjoy cooking, traveling, skiing and cheering on the Buffs and the Broncos.

Community Council Vice President: Stephanie Hinkle
I am honored and excited to have the opportunity to serve as the Community VP for 2010-2011. I joined the Junior League of Denver as a Provisional in 2003 and continued on to serve as a member of the Holiday Mart Operations Committee for two years. I came into the Membership realm of the JLD as a Provisional Advisor and I enjoyed it so much I became the Step-Up Chair to the Provisional Committee. In this role I identified my passion to enhance the member experience and provide more meaningful volunteer opportunities in our community. After spending the past year as the Vice President of Membership, focusing on member satisfaction and growth, I am thrilled to be moving into the community realm of the JLD. I have developed a very clear understanding of our community placements and have many goals to bring our community programs and partnerships to the next level, as community is the main reason that so many of our members choose the JLD to volunteer their time. In my personal life, I am a Denver native but graduated from Denison University in Columbus, OH with a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations. After college I moved back to Denver to start a career in hospitality and event planning. I have two darling dogs named Lucy and Samson and in my free time I love spending time in the mountains, skiing and traveling. My hobbies include running, tasting amazing food and wine, watching politics and reading. I look forward to the opportunity to continue serve the membership of the JLD as the Community VP while continuing our incredible efforts to better our community and further our mission.



Finance Council Vice President: Kristy Ann Stokke
I am honored to be considered for an additional term on the Board of Directors. I am currently serving as the Treasurer to both the League and the Foundation. Originally from La Crosse, Wisconsin; I moved to Denver from Kiel, Germany in 2006. I studied mechanical and aerospace engineering at MIT before beginning my career as a systems engineer in the intelligence community. Living in the Rocky Mountains has inspired me to become an outdoor adventurer. Recent accomplishments include hiking the Inca Trail in Peru in addition to completing my first half-marathon in Philadelphia. My other hobbies include blues harmonica, general aviation, snowshoeing and competitive softball. I suffer from a moderate addiction to shoe shopping and NPR podcasts.



Fundraising Council Vice President: Cissie Megyesy
Being the daughter of a longtime Junior League member I saw the positive impact the JLD had made on the Denver community from a very early age. Inspired by my mom and her friends I joined the Junior League seven years ago to be part of an organization that has been such a driving force in the community for so many years. Throughout the years I have served on a variety of placements from Marketing Liaison, Kitchen Tour, CAF, New Cookbook Committee and most recently Fundraising VP. I am very honored and excited to serve as the Fundraising VP for one more year. Our council will be faced with some wonderful opportunities at a challenging time and I look forward to capitalizing on them to further the League’s mission, as well as make a positive impact on the programs we serve in Denver. Currently I am working as a project manager for a software company. Prior to this position I was the Director of Special of Events for Easter Seals Colorado. As a native of Colorado I love to take advantage of the wonderful outdoor activities the state offers, in particular skiing. I also enjoy cooking, traveling and spending time with family and friends.

Membership Council Vice President: Stephanie Dahl
Stephanie is in her 4th active year with the Junior League of Denver. During her first year, she served as the Kitchens that Cook Treasurer. After that she was nominated to the Board of Directors as the Treasurer of the League and the Foundation. For the past two years, she has served as a Provisional Advisor. She obtained her undergraduate degree in Finance and Management at the University of Colorado at Boulder. She continued her education at the University of Denver, Sturm College of Law. Currently she is a deputy district attorney for Summit County. In her free time, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two dogs.



Public Policy Council Vice President: Rebecca Winslow
Rebecca is excited to serve as next year’s VP, Public Policy. Having joined the Junior League of Denver in 2006, Rebecca served two years on the Public Policy Advocacy Committee before chairing the committee this year. Rebecca’s passion for public policy comes from her mom, who serves in the Kansas State Legislature. In addition, Rebecca is part of this year’s JLD Leadership Institute class. Professionally, Rebecca worked in advertising, corporate marketing and non-profit strategic alliances for over a decade before forming huntington|winslow consulting - a virtual advertising agency and marketing consultancy. In addition to volunteering with the JLD, Rebecca is an active member of Wellshire Presbyterian Church where she sits on several committees. When she’s not working or volunteering, she can be found at home with her husband, John, and their kids Jack (4½) and Molly (1½). Rebecca graduated from Indiana University with journalism major and a business minor.



Training Council Vice President: Elaine DeBassige D’Amato
Elaine joined the Junior League of Denver in 2007. She has been the JLDU Chair since her first active year. Professional and personal development is a passion. Elaine's professional experience includes over 10 years of delivering professional development and over 10 years of work in the counseling and sport performance industry. She currently has a private practice working with couples and athletes who are proactive about life transitions. She has a B.A., English, from the University of Notre Dame, an M.A., Counseling Psychology and Counselor Education, from the University of Colorado at Denver, and Professional Certificate, Sport and Performance Psychology, from the University of Denver. Elaine enjoys cooking, reading, quilting, writing, and playing tennis. She loves people and if you are in her three-foot bubble space, chances are she is going to talk to you.



Secretary: Kim Gilbert
I am excited to serve as Secretary for the 2010-2011 Board of Directors alongside a talented and inspiring group of peers. A Junior League of Denver member since 2004, I have served on the Communications Council as ink Chair and as Marketing/PR Chair, and on the Administration Council as Bylaws Coordinator. I am a strong advocate for the continued training and education of women, and am proud to be part of an organization that offers these opportunities to both its members and its community partners. I recently accepted a position as an account manager with an asset management company after selling my catering business of eleven years. I have lived in Colorado most of my life and enjoy snow and water skiing, hiking, rafting, and exploring. I also enjoy travel, and spending time with my family and my fabulous friends - most of whom I’ve met in the JLD. I look forward to serving our membership next year as we continue to Give, Grow and Get Connected.



Treasurer: Diana Fredericks
I joined the Junior League of Denver in 2007, shortly after moving here from Chicago. I have close friends who belong to the League in Chicago and St. Louis so I had a familiarity with the mission and the programs the League supports. My work schedule finally allowed me to devote time to volunteerism in my community and I felt it was also a great way to meet exceptional women since I was new to Denver. As a provisional, I served as a committee chair for the silent auction piece of our provisional event held with success in Cherry Creek. Last year, I was the Administrative Assistant to the Finance Council. This is my second year on Finance, where I have been the liaison to Public Policy and Community. I am continually amazed by the dedication of the women on these councils and I have learned a lot about the programs the JLD supports. I am a native of Columbus, Ohio and a proud graduate from The Ohio State University and The University of Notre Dame, where I got my MBA. I have worked for the headquarter operations of RE/MAX International for nearly 17 years, primarily focusing on our franchisee operations in Nevada, Arizona and New Mexico. For fun, I enjoy skiing, golfing, hiking, reading, traveling; just about anything that gets me outdoors. I am proud and honored to serve the Junior League of Denver as Treasurer and I am truly appreciative of the opportunity.