A native San Franciscan, Colleen moved to Los Angeles in her early twenties where she remained for the following four decades. With family remaining in Marin and Sonoma counties, much time was spent traveling Hwy 5!
Colleen enjoyed two fulfilling careers. For the first 18 years, she was a fashion designer. She traveled extensively and developed a passion for exploring other peoples and cultures, broadening her appreciation for the vast diversity of the world. Travel continues among her primary interests, alongside a love of the arts, cooking and hosting, reading and learning.
Later, she joined a team of visionaries developing an independent school dedicated to providing a cutting-edge progressive education to students from kindergarten through high school. Serving first as a trustee, she later joined the administration as the Chief Advancement Officer, creating a successful marketing, communications, and fundraising program to advance the success of the school and its outreach programs. Among other volunteer responsibilities, she served on the West LA Neighborhood Council for 11 years. Colleen retired in 2015 after 24 years of fulfilling service.
In 2017, she and her husband, Joe, moved permanently to Sonoma County. A search for ways to become familiar with local service opportunities, she joined Impact 100 Redwood Circle in the Covid virtual world of 2020. She joined the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Task Force and later, served on the Community Grants Committee.
While there have been few in-person opportunities since joining, Colleen is inspired by the experience, knowledge, and dedication of the women she’s shared time within the virtual world.