January 2012

New CEO of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver

Brenda Stewart
bstewart@girlsincdenver.org
303-893-4363

GIRLS INC. OF METRO DENVER WELCOMES NEW PRESIDENT & CEO
Sonya Garcia Ulibarri, formerly of YouthBiz, assumes role of President & CEO

DENVER, CO ─ Girls Inc. of Metro Denver (GIMD) is proud to welcome Sonya Garcia Ulibarri as their new President & CEO. Ms. Ulibarri transitions to the role on January 3, 2012 after the departure of Carol Bowar, former President & CEO at GIMD. Ms. Bowar is embarking on a new adventure with her family, living abroad in Australia. After 11 years working at GIMD, Ms. Bowar leaves behind a strong legacy and foundation within the community, constituents, volunteers and donors of GIMD – a foundation that Ms. Ulibarri and her staff will continue to build upon with her many years of non-profit experience.

"It is an honor to be selected to serve as President & CEO of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver," said Ms. Ulibarri. "I am thrilled to continue a 28-year legacy of inspiring all girls to be strong, smart and bold. I am very excited to partner with a dynamic Board of Directors and talented and committed staff and volunteers to move the mission and work of this unique organization forward."

Sonya Garcia Ulibarri has served as the Executive Director of YouthBiz in Denver since 2007. Under her leadership, YouthBiz grew in its capacity to advance the social and economic empowerment of youth. Sonya has an uncommon passion and capacity for fundraising, having spent six years with the Grassroots Institute for Fundraising Training, starting as an intern, and eventually serving as Executive Director. An active leader in the community, Sonya serves on the boards of the Colorado Nonprofit Development Center and the Chinook Fund. She is also a commissioner for the Denver Office of Strategic Partnerships and on the advisory board for Denver's Agency for Human Rights and Community Relations. Sonya has a B.A. in political science and psychology from the University of Colorado."
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About Girls Inc. of Metro Denver
The core mission of Girls Inc. of Metro Denver (GIMD) is to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold.SM As an affiliate of the national nonprofit organization Girls Inc., whose research-based programs and expertise on girls' issues date back to 1864, GIMD offers a variety of educational, enrichment and empowerment programs for girls ages 6 to 19 who are mostly from high-risk, underserved areas. GIMD programs, grounded in research and tested in the field, address educational, societal, and economic barriers girls continue to face. These programs encourage girls to master challenges, build self-esteem, and achieve confident and responsible adulthood. For more information, please visit www.girlsincdenver.org

Established in 1983, Girls Inc. of Metro Denver is an affiliate of Girls Incorporated, a national non-profit youth organization working to advance the rights of girls and women and to inspire all girls to be strong, smart, and bold TM. To date, our programs have touched the lives of more than 25,000 girls, particularly those from at-risk, underserved neighborhoods. We have prevention programs in teen pregnancy, substance abuse, and sexual abuse that give girls tools to avoid these risks and overcome peer pressure. We have educational enrichment programs that inspire girls to harness their innate curiosity and creativity and succeed in academics. We have leadership programs that prepare girls to be active participants in their communities. All of these programs create a safe place for girls and help them to confront gender stereotypes and cultural barriers, and prepare them to lead economically independent and successful lives. For more information, go to www.girlsincdenver.org.