Meet the amazing people that make Women Who Lead possible and learn more about the teacher sponsors and student leaders at each school!
Founders
Kaylyn Buchanan
Founder and leader at Rooney Ranch Elementary and Bell Middle School
Hi! I am going to be a college freshman this upcoming fall at Idaho State University. Aside from Women Who Lead, in my free time I play soccer competitively and plan to continue my athletic career at the Division 1 level at ISU. In high school, I was a part of the IB program, so I spent a majority of my free time doing homework when I wasn’t working on Women Who Lead or playing on the soccer field!
Elizabeth Crim
Founder and leader at Rooney Ranch Elementary and Bell Middle School
Hello! This fall semester I am going to be a freshman at the University of ??? studying Russian and Spanish language and literature. Apart from working with the girls at Women Who Lead, I love to swing dance, play cello, write, and spend time with my dogs.
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Contact me or Kaylyn for any questions at womenwholeadco@gmail.com!
Teacher Sponsors
Libby Vernon
Sponsor at Rooney Ranch Elementary
Michael Orthun
Sponsor at Dunstan Middle School
Lily Ellison
Sponsor at Rose Stein Elementary
Elena Crim
Sponsor at Bell Middle School
Hello! I’ve been an ESL teacher in Jeffco for 20 years. Originally I am from Russia, and I love that my job lets me meet and work with students from different countries. I love sponsoring Women Who Lead at Bell because it helps our girls to become leaders while navigating their complicated middle school years. In my free time I enjoy gardening, reading, and classical music.
Founders
Kaylyn Buchanan
Founder and previous leader at Rooney Ranch Elementary and Bell Middle School
Hi! I am a college freshman at Idaho State University. Aside from Women Who Lead, in my free time I play soccer competitively and plan to continue my athletic career at the Division 1 level at ISU. In high school, I was a part of the IB program, so I spent a majority of my free time doing homework when I wasn’t working on Women Who Lead or playing on the soccer field!
Elizabeth Crim
Founder and previous leader at Rooney Ranch Elementary and Bell Middle School
Hello! I am a freshman at the University of Colorado Boulder studying Russian and Spanish language and literature. Apart from working with the girls at Women Who Lead, I love to swing dance, play cello, write, and spend time with my dogs. I'm also a crazy plant-and-coffee-person. Feel free to reach me, Kaylyn, or other team members with any questions at womenwholeadco@gmailcom !
Teacher Administrators
Elizabeth (Libby) Vernon
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Previous sponsor at Rooney Ranch Elementary, Curriculum Advisor, School-Outreach Specialist.
I am a Rooney Ranch retired teacher, and I had the pleasure of having Kaylyn in my class for both 3 rd and 4 th grades. We have stayed in touch, and I was delighted when she and Lizzy told me that they had created an after-school club, with the goal of empowering girls to be leaders. They asked me to be the adult sponsor, and the rest is history!
Michael Orthun
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Sponsor at Dunstan Middle School, Chief Advisor, School
Outreach Specialist.
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Hi there! I teach 8th grade ELA at Dunstan Middle School. I'm excited and honored to sponsor Women Who Lead! The club is a powerful catalyst for empowerment and positive progression and growth for both the club members and for society as a whole. When I'm not teaching or working with the club, I spend my time at home in Denver listening to music, trying to learn the piano, cooking for my family, gardening, hiking, camping, skiing, bicycling, reading, poring over current events, and dabbling in watercolor paints.
Teacher Sponsors
Lily Ellison
Sponsor at Rose Stein Elementary
Greetings from the classroom, my name is Lily Ellison and I am in my 5th year of teaching. I currently teach 4th grade at an IB school, Rose Stein International. Women Who Lead has been a wonderful addition to our afterschool programs. Outside of clubs and school I am passionate about costumes, art, science, and traveling!
Elena Crim
Sponsor at Bell Middle School
Hello! I’ve been an ESL teacher in Jeffco for 20 years. Originally I am from Russia, and I love that my job lets me meet and work with students from different countries. I love sponsoring Women Who Lead at Bell because it helps our girls to become leaders while navigating their complicated middle school years. In my free time I enjoy gardening, reading, and classical music.
Michele Seale
Sponsor at South Lakewood Elementary
Hi! I have been an elementary school teacher in Jefferson County for 20+ years. I have taught at South Lakewood for 7 years. I love watching the kiddos learn and digest new information. It’s amazing to watch students finally understand a concept or an idea. I graduated from Alameda High School in Jeffco. I enjoy sponsoring Women Who Lead at South Lakewood because our girls need role models to look up to and learn from.
Former Club Leaders 2019-2020
Ellery Andersen
Former Club Leader at Rose Stein Elementary
Hello! I am currently continuing my education as I pursue a Bachelor’s degree. As I am unsure in what I want to major in, I hope to use my time at college exploring my interests in order to find a career I am passionate about. This past school year I had the opportunity to lead a Women Who Lead club at a nearby elementary school; I loved having the chance to create a safe environment where young girls could learn about how they can make a difference in the world. I am also very active in my youth group, the B’nai B’rith Youth Organization, and I love spending time with my dogs and friends!
Emily Seale
Former Club Leader at South Lakewood Elementary
Hi! I am attending Colorado State University to study Journalism and Media Communications with a possible double major of Communication Studies and ASL minor. In my free time, you can find me working at Freddy’s Steakburgers where I am the only girl that works as a linecook. I was also the Editor-In-Chief of the Lakewood High School yearbook this past year. In the free time I have left, I spend my time doing homework or playing with my dog.
Callie Kuykendall
Former Club Leader at Rose Stein Elementary
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Hi, I’m a freshman at Washington State University and I plan on studying something agriculture related. I enjoyed participating in Women Who Lead because I loved connecting and working with the girls. Outside of Women Who Lead, I also run a wildlife advocacy club called Protect Our Wildlife through Lakewood High School. In my free time, I enjoy reading, drawing, and spending time with my dog.
Charlie Archuleta
Former Club Leader at South Lakewood Elementary
Hi! I'm a freshman at UNC majoring in music education. Besides Women Who Lead, photography, rollerskating, and music take up most of my free time. I was an AP student, so learning and homework also took up most of my time. Women Who Lead gave me a wonderful opportunity to teach before college and I'm thankful for the opportunity!
Elyza Berry
Former Club Leader at Rose Stein Elementary
Bonjour! I'm a freshman at a The University of Oregon, double majoring in journalism and international relations. Apart from studying, I spend my time dance training, at youth group, learning French, and keeping up with the news.
Student Leaders
Lily Sallee
Club Leader at Devinny Elementary, South
Lakewood Elementary, and Dunstan Middle School
Hello! I'm a senior at Lakewood High School. I have a passion for math and science and plan on becoming a pediatrician when I get older. Outside of school, I love to hang out with my friends, explore Colorado, and go to concerts!
Makayla Trapp
Club Leader at South Lakewood Elementary and
Dunstan Middle School
Hi! I’m a senior in the IB program at Lakewood High School this upcoming fall. In school, I enjoy studying history and English. Apart from working on Women Who Lead, I enjoy doing taekwondo, baking, and playing with my dog!
Naomi Decker
Club Leader at Rose Stein Elementary
Hello! I'm a Lakewood senior in the IB program. When I’m not reading about European history or working on Women Who Lead, I enjoy spending time with friends, writing stories, and acting in plays and musicals.
Ella Thomas
Club Leader at Devinny Elementary and
Denison Elementary
I’m a sophomore at Lakewood High School. I’m a competitive Irish dancer and lacrosse player. I’m a bookworm and extremely creative and I really want to make a difference in the world by inspiring young girls.
Natalie Humphrey
Club Leader at South Lakewood Elementary and
Bell Middle School
Hi! This year I’m a senior at Lakewood High School. My favorite subject is science and some of my passions include helping others, fashion, and being in nature. I love being apart of Women Who Lead because it’s important for young women to have a safe space where they can be inspired and become leaders themselves!
Sydney Johnson
Club Leader at Rose Stein Elementary and
Denison Elementary
Hey there! I'm a senior at Lakewood high school. Outside of Women Who Lead, I spend a lot of time competing in speech (as you can see from my photo!) I am the captain of Lakewood’s speech and debate team, and a member of our chamber choir. In my free time, I love to make art, play guitar, and thrift shop.
Elise Ishay
Club Leader at South Lakewood Elementary and
Dunstan Middle School
Hey! I am a senior at Lakewood High School. Some of my favorite topics include history, and language & literature. Coming from a politically active family, I enjoy keeping up-to-date with contemporary issues. In my free time, I enjoy painting, watching movies, seeing friends, traveling as much as possible and hanging out with my new puppy. I am excited to continue being a part of Women Who Lead!
Mia Chaw
Club Leader at Rooney Ranch Elementary
Hi! I'm Mia and this year I am a Junior at Lakewood! Apart from being a part of Women Who Lead, I love to paint and draw, spend time at Speech and Debate tournaments, and make sure I am doing my part by getting my hands dirty volunteering with activist organizations and charities!
Celia Martinsen-Burke
Club Leader at Prospect Valley Elementary and
Bell Middle School
Hey! I’m a senior this year at Lakewood High School. In school enjoy studying history and science. When I’m not studying or working, I love going on hikes, dancing and working in my garden. I’m so excited to be working with Women Who Lead this year, I can’t wait to see what the year has in store!
Emily Chalker
Club Leader at Prospect Valley Elementary and
Bell Middle School
Hello! My name is Emily Chalker, I am a senior at Lakewood High School. I am really excited for the women who lead club this year and to meet all of the girls from Bell and Prospect Valley. My goal in life is to become a doctor and help as many people as possible. I hope all of the girls really enjoy this club as much as I did last year.
Jodie Hamilton
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Curriculum Drafter
Hi! I am in my final year of high school, doing Economics and English Literature and Language. At university, next year, I will be studying International Relations, in the hope this will give me more of the skills and experience I need to continue tackling discrimination and promoting female empowerment in everyday life. In my free time I love to cook, spend time with my friends & family and keep up to date on world issues and news.