Girl Scouts announces 2023 Western Slope Women of Distinction

Three Extraordinary Women Honored

Each year, Girl Scouts of Colorado honors three exceptional women as Women of Distinction. These women have displayed exemplary leadership and a commitment to advancing the profile of women and girls in our community. This year’s honorees were selected by a committee of previous Women of Distinction honorees and chosen based on their contributions to the community, both professionally and personally. These women join a network of nearly 30 Western Slope WoD alums. They are shining examples of corporate, civic, and philanthropic leaders, who serve as role models for our female leaders of tomorrow.

Class of 2023, Women of Distinction

Michelle Boisvenue-Fox, library director, Mesa County Libraries – Michelle Boisvenue-Fox works to build community through its partnerships, programs, and events at Mesa County Libraries. Michelle believes that people are the most important thing to a library. As a result, libraries change lives in big and small ways. Michelle holds a master’s degree in library and information science from the University of Illinois and has more than 20 years of public and academic library experience. Michelle is involved with many different community service groups, including Bridging the Divide, Valley Creative Alliance, Childcare 8000, Suicide Prevention Coalition, MACO, Mesa Arts and Culture Organizations, GJ Chamber Leadership Class, and Art Center of Western Colorado.
Amanda McQuade, program coordinator, Colorado State University – Amanda earned her doctor of philosophy, in cellular and molecular biology from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She currently coordinates programs responding to food insecurity by increasing access to healthy food and providing placed-based nutrition education programming. She also serves on several boards, including the La Plaza, Mesa County Valley School District Wellness Advisory Committee, Mesa County Valley Advisory Committee, and Pomona Elementary Advisory Committee. She has received several awards, including Nextstar Media Remarkable Women Award in Western Regional Market, Colorado Department of Education Recognition as a Promising Partnership Practice for Collaborating with the Community, and Emerging Community Engagement Scholarship Award.
Jamee Simons, co-owner, Enstrom Candies – Jamee was born in Denver and moved to Grand Junction in 1979 to join the family business, Enstrom Candies.  In 1993 they purchased Enstrom Candies to become thethird^-generation owners. Jamee has served on several boards, including Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, Grand Junction Visitor and Convention Bureau, HopeWest, St Mary’s Hospital, STRiVE, and is currently serving on the CMU Foundation Board. Jamee and Enstrom Candies have won several awards, including the Grand Junction Economic Partnership Spirt of Economic Development Award, Grand Junction Chamber of Commerce Business of the Year, St. Mary’s Hospital Philanthropists of the Year, HopeWest Illumination Award, National MS Society Hope Award, and Grand Junction Rotary Ethical Leadership Award.

Girl Scouts of Colorado will welcome the Class of 2023 honorees from 7:30 to 9:30 a.m., Nov. 3, at the Grand Junction Convention Center.

“I am honored to welcome this year’s class of Women of Distinction. They are strong, bold, empowered women who represent the leadership and excellence that powers today’s world, and they are outstanding role models for our girls,” said Leanna Clark, chief executive officer of Girl Scouts of Colorado.

Proceeds from the event will support Girl Scouts of Colorado’s crucial leadership development programs in entrepreneurship, outdoors, STEM, and life skills for more than 1,700 members across the Western Slope.

For information regarding tickets and sponsorships, visit girlscoutsofcolorado.org or contact Martha Johnson at marthajohnson@gscolorado.org.

June 26, 2023