MEET THE WYOMING WOMEN'S BUSINESS CENTER'S

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

VICTORIA CURTIS

President

A born and raised Wyomingite, Victoria Curtis is proud to call Laramie, Wyoming her home!

With 8.5 years in retail banking leadership, the world of retail holds Victoria's heart, as it is the core of the banking industry. She prioritizes financial education with her clients and aims to help them improve their financial situations.

Victoria has served on several nonprofit boards, and she values her connection to her community through personal service and providing her expertise where needed. Her passion for small businesses and helping entrepreneurs succeed financially is the driving force behind Victoria's professional experiences.

Personally, Victoria considers herself to be a theater nerd and lover of the arts! She is a member of a Law Enforcement family of almost 16 years, and they love raising their 4 children in the city of Laramie.

DANIEL J. SISSON

Secretary

Dan’s family has lived in Wyoming since the early 1900’s. He attended school in Guernsey and went on to the University of Wyoming to obtain his BA. He has 21 years of banking experience working in several towns in Wyoming, including Sheridan, Gillette, Torrington, and he is now back in his hometown of Guernsey. Over that time, he has also been on the board of many different non-profit organizations. Dan loves his home state and is excited to be part of the Wyoming Women’s Business Center as it continues to enable entrepreneurs to follow their dreams and make Wyoming a great place for future generations.

KEREN MEISTER-EMERICH

Vice President

Keren started her career in education as a High School Computer Science and Mathematics teacher. Her education includes a BS in Mathematics, MS in Statistics, and a Doctorate in Education. Keren is a graduate of Leadership Wyoming. In addition to education and mentoring, she is interested in entrepreneurship and business development.

Recently Keren shared information about her research into ChatGPT and other AI tools at Walden’s Faculty Leading the Change Professional Development Series and at the Laramie County Library Public educational events. She has present tech-tips at the Wyoming Connect 2 Women conference. Over many years, she has presented at local, regional, national, and international conferences on topics related to technology and education.

Outside academia, Keren actively contributes to her community. She volunteers, serves on several boards, and actively gives her time and efforts to many other local services.

AUBREE JUDGE

Treasurer

Aubree comes to the board with 21 years of experience in the banking industry. She also has 15 years of service the Secretary/Treasurer on various boards for non-profit organizations local to the rural community of Kemmerer, Wyoming. She believes these experiences have gained her insight into various businesses in numerous industries, including the challenges they face in making their businesses succeed. Aubree has lived in Wyoming from a young age, which she feels has given her an affinity for our rural way of life that could only continue to thrive by supporting the businesses and industries that make this state such a unique place to call home. Aubree is excited to contribute to such an innovative and prestigious organization solely dedicated to supporting Wyoming businesses.

Board Member

Tanner Russell grew up in southeastern Colorado in a ranching and rodeo family, but has always considered Wyoming to be home as she was born in Torrington and Wyoming is where most of her family still lives. Tanner completed her MBA at the University of Wyoming in 2014 and her professional experience spans from banking to sales to warehouse management. She also spent time as a co-owner in the restaurant industry prior to finding her way back to her passion working with alumni and higher education. Tanner worked in the UW College of Business from 2015 to 2022 and currently serves as the UW Alumni Association’s Associate Director where she leads their engagement team. In her free time, Tanner enjoys spending time with her daughter, Rylee, and their dogs, Beck and Blue.

TANNER RUSSELL

CINDY GARRETSON-WEIBEL

Board Member

Cindy Garretson-Weibel is a Wyoming native and graduated from the University of Wyoming with a degree in agricultural communications. She has a 35-year career assisting agriculture producers and small businesses in the state. In 2015, she started Leading Edge Consulting in Cheyenne where she specializes in leadership development and small business training. She has been the Director of Wyoming L.E.A.D., an adult agricultural development program, for 26 years and she has facilitated intense leadership training for over 200 individuals during this time. She was named the Outstanding Leadership Director by the International Programs of Agricultural Leadership in 2014.

Cindy served as the agricultural marketing director for the State of Wyoming for 11 years and has years of non-profit experience, including serving as the executive director of the Wyoming Stock Growers Association early in her career.

She has served on the board of directors for the Wyoming Women's Business Center since 2006. Cindy is also a John Maxwell certified speaker, trainer and coach

Board Member

Colleen Denney is a newly retired professor emeritus of art history, gender and women's studies, film studies, museum studies, and other endeavors, at the University of Wyoming. Her work, for the past 14 years, has focused on the visual culture of women's suffrage around the world, so she is passionate about the power of women's voices and their rightful place in the world. She has been excited to help out at the WOW Gallery and to connect important women in the community to the Center. She has served on several boards in Laramie in the past, including Safe Project and Relative Theatrics. She is an avid yogini and cyclist.

COLLEEN DENNEY, PH.D

Board Member

Erika Yarber serves as the Director of Business Development for the Wind River Development Fund, which is the only Native Community Development Financial Institution in Wyoming. Ms. Yarber is passionate about economic development and the resources her organization provides to support community members with direct access to capital through lending. She has been with the organization since 2022. Ms. Yarber also has experience as a JOM & Title VI coordinator, collegiate and high school multi-sports coach, and a business owner. She is a trained professional in wrap around services pertaining to budget, financial education and homebuyers assistance on the reservation. Ms. Yarber is an advocate for economic education and community development. She is an enrolled member of the Northern Arapaho Tribe. Ms. Yarber currently coaches competitive soccer and softball, and also serves actively on four boards throughout the state.

ERIKA YARBER