Member Awards

The SWE RMS Section Awards are presented to SWE RMS members, teams, or collegiates who have made an outstanding contribution to activities within SWE RMS during the fiscal year. Nominees will be judged based on the significance of the achievements cited on behalf of the nominee and on the contributions of the nominee to various SWE RMS activities.

The Society of Women Engineers Rocky Mountain Section awards members for their outstanding achievements and contributions to the section. 

Award nominations can be made for any reason provided the nominee’s contributions support SWE core values (shown below) and/or SWE RMS initiatives.  Multiple award areas are described below, but again we are not limited to those listed.  Please note that more than one award may be given for each area and will be judged based on the contributions to the section cited on behalf of the nominee and the effect of these achievements on SWE RMS.

Award areas to consider based on outstanding contributions to SWE RMS:

Outreach – presented to a SWE RMS member who has made an outstanding contribution to Outreach programs and activities within the section for the current fiscal year. 

Professional Development – presented to a SWE RMS member who has made an outstanding contribution to Professional Development programs within the section for the current fiscal year. 

Membership – presented to a SWE RMS member who has made an outstanding contribution to increasing and enhancing membership activities within the section for the current fiscal year. 

Fund Development – presented to a SWE RMS member who has made an outstanding contribution to the finances of SWE-RMS during the fiscal year through creative fundraising. This is not intended for recognizing the person who designated the most money, but the person who put the most creativity and effort into raising funds for our section. 

Communicator –  presented to a SWE RMS member who has made an outstanding contribution to communication activities within SWE RMS during the current fiscal year. 

Newcomer – presented to a SWE RMS member who is new to the section and has made an outstanding contribution to the section during the current fiscal year. Note:  This can include a person who has taken on a committee chair other similar responsibility within 2 years of joining the section. 

Superior Supporter – presented to a Non-SWE member who has made a superior contribution of time and effort to help with SWE RMS during the current fiscal year.  (Note:  This is not intended for financial or in-kind contributions as those should always be provided ‘thanks’ and recognition.)

Additional considerations that align with SWE Core Values 

Integrity – aspire to the highest level of ethical behavior as evidenced by honesty and dignity in our personal and professional relationships and responsibilities. 

Inclusive Environment – embrace diversity in its broadest interpretation and commit to creating an inclusive environment for all our members and stakeholders.  

Mutual Support – provide an organization that fosters mentoring, and the development of professional and personal networks.

Professional Excellence – conduct our activities in a professional manner, demonstrating and demanding the highest standards of business practices.

Trust –  share a common definition of success with open, transparent access to common information, building mutual respect and confidence in the competence of those with whom we lead, serve and partner with.

Congratulate Our Award Winners

Please join us in congratulating our award winners!
Read about past award recipients on the RMS Blog – Awards.

2023-2024 Rocky Mountain Summit ​Award Winners
Outstanding Communicator – Christi Wisleder
Outstanding Membership – Mamata Kadakia
Outstanding Newcomer – Hannah Pearson
Outstanding Outreach – Sarah Gilmore
Outstanding Professional Development – UC Denver Spring Summit Committee Members (Kate Brusoe, Alina Pena, Kassidy Ricketson, Mary Stallings)
Superior Supporter – Merinda Lobato

2022-2023 Rocky Mountain Summit ​Award Winners
Outstanding Communicator with Emphasis in Professional Excellence – Communications & Social Media Team (Kirsten Sargent, Sam Bayliff, Katelyn Moje, Amanda Slager)
Outstanding Fund Development – GESTEM Corporate Partner Representatives* (Sarah Gilmore, Christi Wisleder, Laura Mersmann, Anika Hammond)
          *Superior Supporter – (Kristina Hermann, Tonya Wyatt)
          *Non-members of the GESTEM Corporate Partner Representatives were recognized as Superior Supporters. 
Outstanding Membership with Emphasis in Diversity & Inclusion – Sherisse Hughes, Terry Commeford
Outstanding Membership – Bounkheana Chhun
Outstanding Newcomer – Sally Kammer
Outstanding Outreach – Taryn Tucker
Outstanding Professional Development – Jackie Welsh

2021-2022 Rocky Mountain Summit ​Award Winners
Outstanding Communicator – Shawnee Joyce
Outstanding Membership with Emphasis in Mutual Support – Sarah Green
Outstanding Membership Recognition – President Celebration Committee (Madalene Fetsch – Chair, Megan Schulze, Casey Waggy, Jannine Rouw, Kaitlin Chapman, Christi Wisleder, and Lisa Woodward) 
Outstanding Newcomer – Bomsaerah Seong
Outstanding Outreach – GESTEM-Virtual Committee (Sarah Gilmore – Chair, Amy Tank, Ashley Kreuder, Betsy Gillard, Corey Schlager, Erin Doan, Jessica Swenson, Kate Rayon, Meilin Ossanna, Laura Mersmann, Sam Killingsworth, and Marisa Ceppi

2020-2021 Rocky Mountain Summit ​Award Winners
Outstanding Communicator – Shawnee Joyce
Outstanding Membership – Jannine Rouw 
Value of Mutual Support – Anika Hammond and Kristi Johnson-Smith
Outstanding Outreach – Allyson Junker
Superior Supporter – Cheryl Benedict
Outstanding Professional Development – Spring Summit Committee (Kaitlin Chapman – Chair, Bomsaerah Seong, Christi Wisleder, Lisa Woodward, Patricia Lamminar, and Shawnee Joyce)

2019-2020 Rocky Mountain Summit Award Winners
Outstanding Communicator – Madalene Fetsch
Outstanding Fund Development – Amy Tank
Outstanding Newcomer – Emily Durie
Outstanding Outreach – Sara Ellis
Outstanding Professional Development – Tricia Lawler

2018-2019 Rocky Mountain Summit Award Winners
Outstanding Communicator – Laura Murphy
Outstanding Fund Development – Manisha Ghorai
Outstanding Membership – ​Jennifer Buechler
Outstanding Professional Development – ​Molly Kuettel (DU Section)
Value of Trust – Megan Schulze
Value of Professional Excellence – WE Local Denver Host Committee 

2017-2018 Rocky Mountain Summit Award Winners
Membership Award – CSU SWE Executive Council
Newcomer Award – Steven Ulrich
Outreach Award – Olivia Brey
Outreach Award – Caley Dallman (CSU Section)
Professional Development Award – Sarah Green and Sara Trout (CSU Section)

2016-2017 Rocky Mountain Summit Award Winners
Outreach Award – Sarah Gilmore
Membership Award – Anna Sparks
Membership Award – Casey Waggy
Professional Development Award – University of Colorado Boulder SWE Section

2015-2016  Rocky Mountain Summit Award Winners
Communicator Award – Bounkheana Chhun
​Outreach Award – Sara Bury Ellis
Professional Development Award – Christine Buckler
Professional Development Award – Whitney Thomas (CU Boulder Section)

2014-2015 Award Winners
Membership Award – Marissa Stender (Brummitt)
Newcomer Award – Ana-Maria Vacca
Newcomer Award – Kaitlyn Bunker
Outreach Award – Carly Conley (student member at CSM)
Professional Development – Kirsten Sargent

2013-2014 Award Winners
Fund Development Award – Christi Wisleder & Jessica Wray
Newcomer Award – Kitty Elshot
Outreach Award – Agata Dean
Professional Development Award – Yvette Woodworth
Superior Supporter Award – Michelle Troy

2012-2013 Award Winners
Communicator Award – Claire Lyles
Fund Development Award – Heather Doty
Membership Award – Andrea Johnson
Newcomer Award – Sarah Gilmore
Outreach Award – Aimee Eddins
Professional Development Award – Victoria Owens
Superior Supporter Award – Robert Meck

2011-2012 Award Winners
Outreach Award – Lisa Woodward
Newcomer Award – Marissa Brummitt 
Superior Supporter Award – Kristin Sargent 

2010-2011 Award Winners
Communicator Award – Anna Meck 
Outreach Award – Jessica Begay
Professional Development Award ​ – Laurie Valaer