WYOMING FIRST LADY JENNIE GORDON

First Lady Jennie Gordon attended the University of Wyoming where she received a Bachelor’s Degree in Health Sciences. Jennie worked for 15 years as a Laboratory Medical Technologist at Sheridan Memorial Hospital. She later served as a field service representative for Abbott Laboratories where she traveled throughout the western United States repairing and servicing laboratory equipment at hospitals, clinics and private practices. Her interest in fighting childhood hunger was sparked long before becoming First Lady when she learned about the issue of food insecurity among residents of Sheridan County. Since that time, she has volunteered at various Wyoming anti-hunger organizations and is passionate about shedding light on the good work that is being done throughout the state to reduce childhood hunger.

ANNEMARIE

MCCRACKEN PICARD

Annemarie McCracken Picard is a wife and mother living in Cheyenne. She has been active in her community through many organizations including the Laramie County Library Foundation and the Wyoming Breast Cancer Initiative. Most recently she and her husband Dave chaired the 2019 Gubernatorial Inaugural Festivities. Annemarie came to Wyoming in 1997 to work for Governor Jim Geringer as a policy analyst. She worked in different capacities for the State of Wyoming before building a consulting business focused on workforce issues throughout the western states. She describes herself as a voracious reader who loves a good long walk with her kids and her dogs. A graduate of the University of Texas and a certified 200 RYT Yoga Instructor, she and Dave divide their time between Cheyenne and Saratoga. She serves as the Board Chair.

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LAURIE BOX

Laurie Box is a Colorado native; she moved to Wyoming in 1984 after meeting her husband Chuck and has now spent more of her life as a Wyomingite. Laurie worked in banking until her twin daughters were born. After welcoming a third daughter to the family, Laurie and Chuck started Rocky Mountain International, a tourism marketing company representing five states as a region to international tourists in 17 European, Scandinavian, and Pacific Rim countries. After 24 years, Laurie and her husband sold the company to their employees where it continues to thrive as a Wyoming business. She now manages the business of her husband’s novelist career, is a Director of the Platte Valley Chamber of Commerce, a CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocate) volunteer, and a longtime CFD volunteer. She is an avid horsewoman, beekeeper, and grandmother. She serves as Board Treasurer.

LYNN KIRKBRIDE

Lynn Kirkbride is a Wisconsin native who found her home on a cattle ranch in Chugwater. She holds a Bachelors in Psychology and a Masters in Rehabilitation Counseling. Lynn has worked in the field of disability and diversity for 30 years, having been originally inspired by her brother, a quadriplegic. She has served as the Chair of the Cheyenne Mayor’s Council for People with Disabilities, a member of the Wyoming Employment First Task Force, and is the founder of the Wyoming Business Leadership Network, helping in the development of the MentorABILITY youth program. She has been the Director of Affiliate Relations for Disability:IN (formerly USBLN) since 2011. Additionally, she has helped lead the Legislative Spouses group since 2012. She has five children and five grandchildren. She serves as Board Secretary.

abright@bgccw.org

SUSAN SAMUELSON

Susan Samuelson is a University of Wyoming graduate, retired elementary educator, and ranch owner. She counts the introduction of Title IX during her senior year in high school as a turning point in her understanding and future interest in women’s equality, race relations, and the improvement of children’s lives. She has been an integral advocate for  many community organizations and causes over the years, including the Laramie County Library System, Cheyenne Botanic Gardens and Children’s Village, Boys and Girls Club, Wyoming Community Foundation, United Way, Climb Wyoming, Cheyenne Frontier Days, and University of Wyoming athletics, libraries, and College of Education. Her experience brings valuable insight, support, and a passion to affect change throughout the state—as well as the know-how to get things done.

ASHLEE LUNDVALL

Ashlee Lundvall was an active teenager and four-sport athlete when she was injured in a ranching accident in 1999 while attending a Wyoming youth camp. A tragic fall on to the wooden handle of a pitchfork blew out her back at T-12, resulting in a complete spinal cord injury and the introduction of a wheelchair to her life. After returning home to Indiana to finish her rehabilitation, Ashlee graduated from IUPUI in 2005 with a BS in Public Affairs, and completed her graduate studies in Biblical Counseling in 2007.
In 2007, Ashlee moved to Wyoming with her husband, Russ, and in 2008 helped found Wyoming Disabled Hunters. Now a National Pro Staffer for Mossy Oak, a member of the NRA’s Disabled Shooting Sports and Outreach committees, and a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness and Nutrition, she enjoys passing on her love for the outdoors to her daughter, Addison, born in 2010.

KATHRYN BOSWELL

Kathryn Boswell grew up spending her summers in the mining town of Morgan, WY and the academic year in Arlington Heights, IL. A graduate of the University of Wyoming, she works as the Hunter and Angler Participation Coordinator for the Wyoming Game & Fish Department, developing partnerships and events to help Wyomingites learn to hunt and fish.  The former Chief of Staff to Wyoming First Lady Nancy Freudenthal is also an avid volunteer, and has chaired the Advisory Board of the Wyoming Women's Foundation, the National Advisory Board of the University of Wyoming Art Museum, and the Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show. She is a 2010 Leadership Wyoming graduate and has always made serving people the guiding principle of her work. She and her husband Chris live in Cheyenne.

PATY GIERAU

Paty Gierau is a native of Mauá, Brazil, near São Paulo. She studied Nutrition and Quality of Life Sciences in college, and volunteered in multi-professional medical teams throughout that time in impoverished communities with high levels of hunger, malnutrition, and medical needs. Her experience led her to specialize in nutrition as it relates to eating disorders, clinical prevention and treatment of chronic disease, and food service health inspection, always finding ways to serve vulnerable groups. She moved to Jackson Hole from São Paulo in 2012, where she operates Experience Travel, a travel agency that provides opportunities for cultural exchange between Wyoming, South America, and beyond. She and her husband Mike volunteer with Vertical Harvest, Food Rescue, Womentum, Climb Wyoming, and Snow Devils.

JOANN SKEIM-TRUE

JoAnn Skeim-True is a resident of Casper, a University of Wyoming graduate, and a Leadership Wyoming Class of 2018 graduate. She is a petroleum geologist and works in the oil and gas industry for AB Resources, LLC. Her family—husband Shane, six children, a daughter-in-law, and a son-in-law—all have the fortune of living in amazing Wyoming. She is always looking for ways to make Casper and Wyoming the best place to live, and is excited to serve on the Wyoming Governor’s Residence Foundation Board.

DIANE ASAY

Diane Asay  is a graduate of BYU and has a degree in Special Education; she earned her Masters in Special Education from University of Wyoming. She works as a legal assistant and special education consultant, a member of the Council of Parent Attorneys and Advocates, and is a dedicated advocate for children whose basic needs may be overlooked. She also serves as a Youth leader in her church, and volunteers with Needs, Inc. and Friday Food Bag Foundation. She has six children, four of which are University of Wyoming graduates. She loves University of Wyoming basketball, Hallmark movies, and historic fiction.  

ALFRIEDA GONZALES

Alfrieda Gonzales is a native of Cheyenne, Wyoming. She is a University of Wyoming graduate and received her MBA from the University of Colorado. Prior to her retirement she was Executive Director for the Laramie County Community Partnership providing leadership and strategic direction  in their efforts to create a healthier community for the most vulnerable population in Laramie County. She also served as the Senior Policy Analyst working on human services issues for Governor Freudenthal. Previously, she served as the Administrator for the Wyoming Department of Health’s Substance Abuse Division, Administrator for the Internal Operations for the Department of Workforce Services and the Office of Workforce Development working with the Wyoming Workforce Development Council.

DEB WENDTLAND

Deb Wendtland is a Wyoming farm girl, born and raised in Torrington, Wyoming, with stints in Washington, D.C.  She graduated from Bethel University, in St. Paul, MN in 1985. She received her J.D. of Law from the University of Wyoming. Deb married her law review editor in 1990 and the two practice law together in Sheridan Wyoming. Deb is a litigator in the firm of Wendtland & Wendtland, LLP and not often enough has the privilege of practicing adoption law. Deb and Tony have two adult sons: Kit and Taylor.

Trista Ostrom is a Wyoming native and graduate of the University of Wyoming where she received her Bachelor's in Education and Masters in Curriculum and Instruction. Trista is passionate about volunteering, civic responsibility, and making Wyoming the absolute best place to live. Prior to serving as Chief of Staff for First Lady Jennie Gordon, she was the Executive Director of the Wyoming Congressional Award Council and has logged thousands of volunteer hours of her own throughout Wyoming. She serves on the Board of Directors for the Wyoming State 4-H Foundation and as a member of the Cheyenne Frontier Days Art Show Committee. She is an avid outdoorswoman, frequent domestic and international traveler, and dedicated mentor to many Wyoming teens.

TRISTA OSTROM

Elizabeth Dillow is a photographer, graphic designer, and writer. She believes strongly in the power of stories—for individuals and communities alike. As a small business owner, she most enjoys supporting the work of nonprofit organizations. Additionally, She serves on the Board of Directors for the Laramie County Library System, is a member of the Cheyenne Frontier Days PR Committee, a columnist for the Wyoming Tribune-Eagle, and an active member of Cheyenne Gymnastics Parent Booster Club. An Ohioan by birth and an Air Force spouse by marriage, she lives in Cheyenne with her husband, three daughters, and Texas Heeler rescue.

ELIZABETH DILLOW

Willie Fowler is the founder and principal of CameraHead Media, a creative production company in Cheyenne. Originally an engineer, Willie now plans, shoots, and produces film projects for clients throughout the Mountain West and nationwide. His attention to detail and ingenuity in production paired with a belief that the story is the most important piece of any project allow him to deliver captivating results for his clients. He is an avid outdoorsman and hunter. Willie lives in Cheyenne with his wife, four children, and one rambunctious puppy.

WILLIE FOWLER