Dr. Lia Franklin
Academic Management Institute Board Chair, 2021 - 2024
Vice Chair – 2020-2021
Past-Institute Director, 2019-2020
Institute Director, 2017-2019
Director Elect, 2016-2017
Executive Assistant to the Vice President of Student Life, Colorado School of Mines
Dr. Lia Franklin values the magic of connecting women across higher education. AMI had a very positive impact on my life, and since then it has fueled my passion to continue to support women in higher education. She has focused the work of the board by focusing on strategic planning, aligning goals and objectives, getting the right people on board, building infrastructure, and championing communication and branding. I love the Colorado and Wyoming connections, the ability to be real and have the tough conversations and sitting in a room with women who get it – priceless.
Dr. Kristina Quynn
Institute Director, 2021-2022
Past Institute Director, 2019-2021
Assistant Professor, Director of CSU Writes, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
Kristina Quynn is an Assistant Dean in the Graduate School at Colorado State University and the founding director of CSU Writes. She joined the Board of AMI in 2018 after attending the 2017-18 AMI as a participant, where she learned vital leadership skills.
Dr. Donna Souder
Past Institute Director, 2021-2022
AMI Director, 2020-2021
Chief Strategy Officer and Executive Director of Organizational Development, Colorado State University-Pueblo
Dr. Souder was a member of the AMI 2011-2012 cohort where she first attended a Real Colors training. Today, Donna is a certified Real Colors facilitator and has taught, presented, and consulted on topics including women in higher education, P-20 and external partnerships, workforce development, and strategic planning. Donna is actively involved in the American Association of State Colleges and Universities and is committed to supporting women and underrepresented leadership across academia through her board membership for the Colorado Network of Women Leaders.
Dr. Mary Ontiveros
Secretary, 2018-2022
Vice President for Diversity & Inclusion, Colorado State University-Fort Collins
As Vice President for Diversity, Mary Ontiveros leads Colorado State University’s diversity efforts and reports directly to the President. Ontiveros has been an employee of CSU since 1974, working in leadership positions in Admissions, as a faculty affiliate, and special assistant to the president of CSU-Pueblo.
Lisa Kinzel
Treasurer, 2020 -
Director of Research Development, Colorado School of Mines
Lisa has been with Colorado School of Mines and the office of Research & Technology Transfer since 2006. As director or research development, she creates and implements strategies that help increase institutional competitiveness and raises awareness of our research strengths. She also develops strategies that support our faculty, providing them with funding opportunities and facilitating research events that promote collaboration and foster team connections.
Dr. Michele Haney
Board Member
President Red Rocks Community College
I attended AMI in the 80’s and Judy Powell and myself were the first to join from Wyoming. I cannot tell you just how beneficial it was to connect to women leaders through AMI. Wyoming in those days, was a bit isolating for women in higher education. From 2001 to 2003, I directed the Institute, and again enjoyed the opportunity to support the growth of women in our field.
Lori Ridgway
Communications Director, 2020 -
Director of Operations, Fremont Therapy Group
After starting her career in the pharmaceutical industry, Lori spent many years working for Central Wyoming College in the Customized Training Department, designing and delivering leadership, management, and strategic planning training to local businesses in Fremont County and the state of Wyoming. She also served as the Director of Marketing and Public Relations for seven years with a fabulous team that launched a new website and brand for the college. She has recently transitioned to the position of Director of Operations for Fremont Therapy Group where she has the opportunity to work with highly skilled physical and occupational therapists who assist individuals in six communities throughout Wyoming with improving their quality of life.
Dr. Kim Dale
Academic Management Institute Board Member 2021 -
Dr. Kim Dale became Western Wyoming Community College’s 8th president in 2019. She attended a large university after high school and left after one semester to go to work and ski. She later returned to college and never stopped, finding her love for learning and serving students.
Kim received a bachelor of science degree in business education from Metropolitan State University of Denver, a master’s degree in management and organization from the University of Colorado Denver, and a doctorate degree in educational leadership and human resource studies from Colorado State University.
Kim began her academic career as an adjunct business faculty and worked within the Colorado Community College System for over 20 years, serving as a faculty department chair, dean of instruction and outreach. She also taught as an adjunct professor in management and organizational development at the University of Colorado Denver. Prior to coming to Western Wyoming Community College, Kim served as the Executive Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of Western Nebraska Community College.
Having taught and practiced management and leadership for many years, Kim is passionate about helping build and support future women leaders in higher education. She is excited to contribute to this important outcome.
Kim and her husband Randy love biking, hiking and kayaking in beautiful Wyoming and Colorado, as well as spending quality time with their children and (especially) grandchildren.
Deborah Vinnola
Academic Management Institute Secretary, 2022
Assistant Director of Systems, Regis University
Deborah currently oversees the systems and processes in the Office of the Registrar however, she has been a part of the Regis community since 1989 serving in numerous roles in Admissions, Academic Records, Registration and Student Services.
Deb has served as a coach in the Regis Leadership Institute and attended AMI as a member of the 2019-2020 cohort. It is through these programs that she has learned that she has the power to make a difference in any role or situation and understands the importance of self-development and self-worth in all levels of leadership. She is currently working on her Master’s in Organizational Leadership in the hopes of fostering these beliefs in others in higher education.
Sue Samaniego
Academic Management Institute Board Member 2021 -
Director Elect 2022-2023
Executive Director of Advancement, Colorado Northwestern Community College
Sue Samaniego is Executive Director of Advancement at Colorado Northwestern Community College. She joined the AMI board in December 2021. As a member of the AMI 2013-2014 cohort, Samaniego expanded her leadership skills and professional network. The experience encouraged her to reach higher, expand her role, and put into practice her AMI project. Service to the AMI Board and CNWL provides her a chance to give to others the gift of AMI.
Dr. Colleen M. Schaffner
Academic Management Institute Board Member 2021 -
Director 2022-2023
Director Elect 2021 -2022
Dr. Schaffner was a member of the AMI 2020-2021 cohort where she was moved by the unparalleled experience of women fostering the development of other women in higher education – despite a remote environment! Dr. Schaffner has spent most of her academic career abroad. Eleven years in England, where she served as Director of the Graduate School at the University of Chester. Then she moved to Mexico, where she worked at the Universidad Veracruzana researching the behavior and ecology of wild spider monkeys and co-founded an NGO for the conservation of the two monkey species endemic to the Yucatan Peninsula. As a newbie to Colorado, Dr. Schaffner found AMI invaluable for building a network with amazing women and further developing as a collaborative and compassionate leader.
Prior Board Members
With gratitude for dedicated service, we recognize prior serving board members.
Deb Lasich
Dr. Elena Sandoval-Lucero
April Menzies
Dr. Judi Diaz Bonacquisti
Cindy Underwood-Anderson
Dr. Heidi Loshbaugh
Dr. Melinda Piket-May
Susan Genaro
Reniece Jones
Angelica Rueda
Kristina Binard Carlson
Cristi Carter