Meet the Presenters

2026 Women's Leadership Forum Keynote Speakers

Dr. Angie Paccione | Colorado Department of Higher Education

Dr. Angie Paccione was appointed executive director of the Colorado Department of Higher Education by Gov. Jared Polis, assuming the role on Jan. 10, 2019, and unanimously confirmed by the Senate Education Committee on Jan. 17, 2019.

Dr. Paccione has more than 20 years of experience in secondary and postsecondary education. She was a high school teacher, coach, and administrator at Smoky Hill High School in the Cherry Creek School District before earning a Ph.D. in education and human resource studies from Colorado State University (CSU). There, Dr. Paccione served on the CSU faculty for nine years as a teacher educator in the “Project Promise” program, a nationally recognized program of excellence in teacher preparation for mid-career professionals. She also conducted research in the teacher education field, examining educators’ life events that led them to become committed to issues of diversity and inclusion. Her findings informed a teacher preparation program and were later published in Teacher’s College Press, which has been cited in over 75 academic papers.

Jamie Moraga | Author, REVERED: The Power of Femail Leadership, and CEO, Franklin Revere

Jamie Moraga is the CEO of Franklin Revere LLC and the author of the Amazon bestselling book REVERED: The Power of Female Leadership. She previously served as President and CEO of intelliSolutions, inc., a woman-owned small business she led from founding through its successful acquisition in 2022, overseeing the full merger and acquisition process from initial discussions to close. With nearly two decades of leadership experience in the military and defense sector, Jamie specializes in business growth, strategic planning, and cultivating strategic and collaborative relationships that fuel organizational success. Her book, REVERED, shares real stories and lessons from female CEOs across every stage of the journey - from founding to exit - to inspire and equip current, aspiring, and future women leaders. Jamie is a past President and Advisory Board member of the San Diego Military Advisory Council (SDMAC), a former San Diego Chapter and national Board member of the National Defense Industrial Association (NDIA), has been recognized on the “San Diego 500” Top Leaders list, as well as a “40 Under 40” honoree. She holds both her bachelor’s degree and MBA from the University of San Diego and lives in San Diego with her husband and son.

Tracy Latourette | Colorado's First Lady Fighter Pilot

Tracy "JackieO" LaTourrette, "Colorado’s First Lady Fighter Pilot" and one of the first women in the world to fly fighter aircraft, has flown missions around the world as a combat mission-ready F-16 fighter pilot.

Tracy graduated along with 88% men from the US Air Force Academy with a coveted appointment from President George H.W. Bush. She entered less than a decade after women commissioned and graduated before women were even authorized to fly combat aircraft. Lieutenant Colonel LaTourrette retired after 22 years while serving as the Deputy Director of Operations at the Colorado National Guard’s Joint Force Headquarters. She has a Bachelor of Science in Human Factors Engineering and is an Air War College grad with over 3,300 combined flying hours as a pilot and AWACS Air Weapons Director. She earned countless medals and ribbons to include multiple Aerial Achievement Medals, Expert Marksman, Combat Readiness, and Top Gun / Turkey Shoot Champion. Post 9-11 “JackieO” flew direct Presidential protection missions and flew in a classified location for Operation Iraqi Freedom.

2026 Women's Leadership Forum Pre-Conference Workshop

Ahren Crickard

2025 Women's Leadership Forum Session Speakers

Dr. Mia Basic

Dr. Mia Basic is a Strategic HR Business Partner at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), with more than 20 years of senior-level human resources experience in higher education. She advises executive leaders on strategic workforce planning, organizational development, and culture-driven change, with a focus on aligning people, strategy, and institutional goals. In addition to her HR leadership work, Dr. Basic is honored to serve as an Assistant Adjunct Professor in UCSF’s Master of Science in Healthcare Administration and Interprofessional Leadership (MS-HAIL) program. Her current areas of focus include Collaborative AI, intergenerational workforce dynamics, inclusive leadership, and the future of work in higher education. A frequent conference presenter, she integrates data-informed strategy with human-centered leadership practices to support learning-ready, engaged, and inclusive organizations. Dr. Basic holds a Doctorate in Leadership, an MS in Human Resources, and a BS in Business and Information Systems.

Fabiola P. Ehlers-Zavala

Fabiola P. Ehlers-Zavala is Professor of English at Colorado State University and Senior Academic Officer for Semester at Sea. Within English studies, her specialization is in applied linguistics. As a bilingual expert (English/Spanish), she has expertise in the study of language for a variety of purposes (i.e., language learning/teaching, effective communication, cross-cultural and intercultural communication). With over thirty years of professional experience in US higher education, Fabiola is a seasoned academic leader with robust experience and expertise in developing and nurturing stakeholder relationships across for profit and non-profit sectors in US higher education and around the world. In the fulfillment of her professional duties, she has travelled to thirty-five countries.

Erin Mercurio

Erin Mercurio is the Senior Director of Finance and Information Technology and currently serves as the Business Officer for the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences at Colorado State University. She began her career as an external auditor with KPMG, where she spent three years supporting clients across diverse industries. Erin joined Colorado State University’s central business office in 2009, contributing a decade of leadership in financial management and operational strategy. In 2019, she transitioned to the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences as the college office business officer. In January 2025, she assumed the role of business officer for the entire college, overseeing financial operations, strategic planning, and administrative systems. Erin is passionate about strengthening organizational effectiveness and supporting the academic and research missions of the university.

Marlys Rybchenko

Marlys Rybchenko is a Senior Program Manager of Leadership and Organizational Engagement at Metropolitan State University of Denver, where she leads initiatives that strengthen leadership capacity at all levels. She focuses on strategic leadership development frameworks that equip employees with the skills, confidence, and clarity to grow and lead effectively. With more than a decade of experience across government, higher education, and organizational development, she brings expertise in coaching, facilitation, curriculum design, and organizational assessment. Her background with the State of Colorado informs her practical, human centered approach to developing leaders within complex systems. Marlys is committed to creating inclusive, growth-oriented environments where individuals and teams can thrive as leaders.

Lori Seager

Lori Seager serves as the vice president of finance and chief financial officer at Colorado College. Seager came to CC in 2019 and has served as associate vice president of finance for the college. Prior to joining Colorado College, Lori was associate vice president for finance at University of Puget Sound; assistant vice president/controller and several other finance roles at New Mexico State University; and she worked in finance in health care as a CPA and an auditor. She earned her Bachelor of Accountancy degree from New Mexico State University and CPA certification from the State of New Mexico.

Lori has served as a volunteer for several years with professional associations supporting higher education finance and administration. Lori currently sits on the Board of Directors for the Western Association of College and University Business Officers (WACUBO) and is 1st vice president.

Cris Sexton

Cris Sexton currently serves as the College Business Officer for the College of Natural Sciences at Colorado State University (CSU). She began her career at CSU as a principal auditor for the Office of Internal Audit and then moved to the College of Agricultural Sciences where she served as the Director of Strategic Initiatives. A primary responsibility in that role was building and maintaining relationships with internal and external stakeholders in support of the College’s strategic mission. Cris then served the department of Environmental and Radiological Health Sciences at CSU as the department business officer overseeing all aspects of the department administrative functions, including finance and budget, human resources, facilities and strategic leadership. Prior to her career in higher education, Cris worked for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as a Director of Enforcement and as an assistant district attorney in North Carolina.

Back to Main Page