Janet Mickish, PhD
President
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice Specialist
Consultant, Women and Violence
Board Tenure: 2006-present
Represents Academia
Domestic Violence and Criminal Justice Specialist
Consultant, Women and Violence
Board Tenure: 2006-present
Represents Academia
Janet E. Mickish, Ph.D. (she, her) earned her doctorate in sociology and has been involved in violence prevention and intervention at the grassroots, academic, and policy levels for 30+ years. She has worked at and consulted with a number of battered women’s programs and was the Executive Director of the Colorado Domestic Violence Coalition for nearly ten years. Dr. Mickish has also taught sociology, criminal justice, human resource management, public policy, and women’s studies courses at universities across the country. She has authored numerous works related to violence, including articles, book chapters, and training manuals for mediators, health care providers, criminal justice practitioners, and lawyers. At the Colorado Department of Human Services, she served as Coordinator of the Enhanced Domestic Violence Advocacy and Prevention Project, as a Prevention Specialist, and Training Manager. Currently, she serves as Lead Trainer for Staff Development across the state. Jan joined the Empowerment Program to help support women and their families thrive.
Ken Hoagland
Treasurer
Pronouns: He/Him/His
Community Capital Corporation
Board Tenure: 2014-present
Represents Affordable Housing
Community Capital Corporation
Board Tenure: 2014-present
Represents Affordable Housing
Ken Hoagland is founder and principal in Community Capital Corp., a real estate consulting and financing firm in Denver, CO. During the 36 years since founding, Community Capital has become a leader in affordable and senior housing by being part of developing over 6,500 affordable and senior units throughout the western United States and assisting many organizations with planning and management issues. Mr. Hoagland holds a masters in Regional Planning (UMass.-Amherst) and taught a graduate level course in real estate development finance at UC-Denver for 30 years. His 40+ years of experience includes work at HUD (Washington, D.C.), Maryland’s Community Development Agency, a private developer and a Denver lender. His civic involvement includes numerous nonprofit boards (Neighborhood Housing, Mercy Housing, Inc., Mercy Loan Fund, Kentucky Circle Village., St. Anne’s Episcopal School, Leading Age (formerly Colo. Assoc. of Homes & Services for the Aged), Colo. Housing NOW!, Colorado Housing Campaign and Housing Colorado!, Seniors, Inc. and First Plymouth Foundation) plus many community projects. He is currently treasurer of the First Plymouth Learning Center board and secretary/treasurer of the Empowerment Program’s board.
Casey Biegelsen
Secretary
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Senior Vice President
George K Baum & Company
Board Tenure: June, 2017 – present
Represents: Investment banking
Senior Vice President
George K Baum & Company
Board Tenure: June, 2017 – present
Represents: Investment banking
In the fall of 2020, Casey Biegelsen joined the Leeds School of Business at the University of Colorado Boulder as an Instructor for both the Finance and Real Estate programs.
Early in her career, Mrs. Biegelsen work for several years as an independent consultant providing custom Excel programs to banks across the country. Her career as an investment banker began in 2003 and includes two years as a Vice President with Lehman Brothers. In 2008 she accepted a position as Director with Barclays Capital. While with Barclays, she was part of a team tasked with rebuilding client balance sheets after the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008. In 2016, Mrs. Biegelsen returned to Colorado to accept a position with a regional firm, before deciding to devote herself full time to teaching.
Mrs. Biegelsen has been asked to speak to gatherings as large as 200 professionals, and as small as seven heads of state, on a variety of topics including Housing Finance, Patient Advisory concerns, and the Importance of Mentorship to Women.
Mrs. Biegelsen is a recognized expert in the design of unique housing bond structures utilizing variable rate and derivative products. She holds a BA in Mathematics and an MBA, both from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Mrs. Biegelsen serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization, serving homeless and at-risk women and their families within Colorado.
Early in her career, Mrs. Biegelsen work for several years as an independent consultant providing custom Excel programs to banks across the country. Her career as an investment banker began in 2003 and includes two years as a Vice President with Lehman Brothers. In 2008 she accepted a position as Director with Barclays Capital. While with Barclays, she was part of a team tasked with rebuilding client balance sheets after the Financial Crisis of 2007-2008. In 2016, Mrs. Biegelsen returned to Colorado to accept a position with a regional firm, before deciding to devote herself full time to teaching.
Mrs. Biegelsen has been asked to speak to gatherings as large as 200 professionals, and as small as seven heads of state, on a variety of topics including Housing Finance, Patient Advisory concerns, and the Importance of Mentorship to Women.
Mrs. Biegelsen is a recognized expert in the design of unique housing bond structures utilizing variable rate and derivative products. She holds a BA in Mathematics and an MBA, both from the University of Colorado Boulder.
Mrs. Biegelsen serves on the Board of Directors for a non-profit organization, serving homeless and at-risk women and their families within Colorado.
Sr. Mary Ann Figlino
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Retired
Board Tenure: 2014-present
Represents: Fundraising, donations
Retired
Board Tenure: 2014-present
Represents: Fundraising, donations
Sr Mary Ann Figlino, a Sister of St Joseph of Carondelet, born and raised in Denver. After being a part of the Empowerment Program for 13 years I found that being on the board was a perfect way to stay connected. I've had a variety of ministries in early childhood ed., hospital chaplain, church work, and even floral design. My 13 years at Empowerment, are fondest memories of the many GED graduations we celebrated and above all seeing Project Bedtime Story grow to what it is today.
Danielle Badler
Pronouns: She/Her/Hers
Board Tenure: 2021-present
Board Tenure: 2021-present
A New York native, Danielle Badler (She/Her) embarked on a communications consulting and writing career in 2007, after more than 30 years in corporate communications, the last ten as the chief global communications officer for three Fortune 500 companies. That experience involved six corporate relocations, including a year in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Danielle’s work today includes facilitating executive peer group meetings for The Conference Board in New York, as well as regular articles and columns on social media commentary.
Danielle is also very active in community involvement, as a past Board President and current Board Member of Alliance Francaise de Denver and past Board President of the national Federation of Alliance Francaises, and as a past Board Secretary of the LGBT Center of Colorado. As such, she’s thrilled to bring her skills and background to helping The Empowerment Program achieve its short and long-term goals.
Danielle’s work today includes facilitating executive peer group meetings for The Conference Board in New York, as well as regular articles and columns on social media commentary.
Danielle is also very active in community involvement, as a past Board President and current Board Member of Alliance Francaise de Denver and past Board President of the national Federation of Alliance Francaises, and as a past Board Secretary of the LGBT Center of Colorado. As such, she’s thrilled to bring her skills and background to helping The Empowerment Program achieve its short and long-term goals.
Jessica Meza
Board Tenure: 2021-present
Jessica Meza attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities and graduated from William Mitchell College of Law in 2007. She worked as an intern in the St. Paul Public Defenders Office for 3 years. After school, Jessica came to work for the Colorado State Public Defender and remained with them for 11 years. Over the years she has represented both juvenile and adults charged with homicide, sexual offenses, domestic violence, drug offenses, DUI/DWAIs, assault, theft, and other criminal offenses. Jessica also represents many clients who are survivors of abuse. She can help survivors maneuver the criminal justice system to make sure they are being properly understood and heard. She has represented both petitioners and defendants in restraining order hearings. Jessica is a fluent Spanish speaker and has experience advising clients on immigration related issues.
Jessica serves on several committees related to Sex offender Management Board, Domestic Violence Board and non-English speakers accessing justice from the judicial system. She also volunteers with different juveniles and survivor advocacy groups to provide pro bono legal representation for low income families. In her free time, she enjoys Peloton and doing outdoor activities with her family.
Jessica serves on several committees related to Sex offender Management Board, Domestic Violence Board and non-English speakers accessing justice from the judicial system. She also volunteers with different juveniles and survivor advocacy groups to provide pro bono legal representation for low income families. In her free time, she enjoys Peloton and doing outdoor activities with her family.
Tina Larry
Board Tenure: 2021-present