Colorado Women’s Chamber names top 25 most powerful women in business

DENVER — The Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce has named its 2026 Top 25 Most Powerful Women in Business and selected construction executive and philanthropist Barbara Grogan to receive its Legacy Award.

The honorees will be recognized at the organization’s 14th annual awards gala from 5 to 8:30 p.m. Oct. 2 at the Hyatt Regency Denver at Colorado Convention Center.

Grogan founded Western Industrial Contractors Inc. in 1982 with $500, a used pickup truck and three employees. She grew the company into a $400 million industrial construction firm before selling her interest in 2004.

She was the first woman to chair both the Denver Branch of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce. Grogan later established scholarships for undocumented and first-generation students at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she chairs the Board of Trustees.

“She broke into an industry that wasn’t built for her and then spent her career making sure the doors she opened stayed open for the women who came after,” CWCC CEO Simone D. Morrison said.

The 2026 Top 25 honorees are:

• Andrea Albo, executive director, Scientific & Cultural Facilities District
• Karen Bigelow, vice president of government and community affairs
• Stephanie Bivins, director, Mesa County Partnership for Children and Families
• Jennie Bjorem, CEO, Bjorem Speech Publications
• Marielena DeSanctis, chancellor, Colorado Community College System
• Bianka Emerson, president, Colorado Black Women for Political Action
• Brig. Gen. Kathleen Flarity, executive director, CU Anschutz Marcus Institute for Brain Health and Center for COMBAT Research
• Kayla Garcia, president and CEO, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
• Rachel Garcia, executive director, Mexican Cultural Center
• Adrina Gibson, deputy mayor and executive director of general services, city and county of Denver
•  Terri Jackson, executive director and co-founder, African-American Trade Association, and co-owner and vice president, Empowercom Inc.
• Ceneé LaTulippe, founder and CEO, 5280 PMO
• Kathleen Lockhart, senior vice president of deal management, Zayo Group
• Becky Miller Updike, executive director, Colorado Association of Family & Children’s Agencies
• Shannon Montour, chief strategy and growth officer, Sky Blue Builders
• Sara Moore, executive director, Colorado Dragon Boat
• Kate Siegel Shimko, vice chancellor for administration and government affairs, Colorado State University System
• Stacey Stegman, senior vice president of communications, marketing and customer experience, Denver International Airport
• Kelly Stevens, founder, Align Society
• Emily Trujillo, chief operating officer, HCA HealthONE Centennial
• Hannah Ulbrich, CEO, Copper Door Coffee Roasters
• Colleen Walker, CEO, Auraria Higher Education Center
• Kami Welch, president and CEO of the Greater Arvada Chamber of Commerce and interim CEO of Jeffco EDC
• Danaya Wilson, CEO and co-founder, BetterCertify
• Shira Zimmerman, CEO, ZIM Consulting

Past honorees selected the recipients based on leadership, community involvement, support for women in business and perseverance.