Women's Commission

Kirsten C. Decker is a local government leader specializing in connecting public policy, resources, and community outcomes. She became Chair of the Denver Women’s Commission in June 2024. With experience leading local government organizations in Maryland and Colorado, Kirsten currently serves as Director of Organizational Strategy & Development for the Denver Public Library System. She also volunteers as Chair of the ICMA Performance Management Advisory Committee and advises Zeta Tau Alpha at Colorado State University. Kirsten holds a B.A. in Political Science from Colorado State University and a Master of Public Administration from the University of Kansas.

Cara Eng is where she is today because her grandmother, whose marriage was arranged from birth, was denied formal education; as a result, she ensured that all her descendants were educated. To honor her grandmother, Cara has dedicated her career to K-12 education and is currently the Director of Finance and Operations at The Logan School. It is important that women achieve equity and equality for the optimal functioning of society and a stronger Denver. She began service as the Secretary of the Denver Women’s Commission in March 2024.

Rhoda Pilmer is the Assistant District Attorney at the 17th Judicial District Attorney’s Office and a steadfast advocate for victims. With 19 years of legal experience, she has handled complex litigation and now oversees multiple specialized units, driving operational excellence and supporting leadership across the office. Rhoda has led strategic initiatives focused on data transparency and cross-agency law enforcement collaboration. She also launched and led the Women’s Leadership Summit, offering leadership development for women pursuing professional growth. Committed to mentorship and public service, she holds a law degree from the University of Denver and a graduate certificate in Executive Women Leadership from Cornell University.  

Shaneis Malouff is a strategic leader, healthcare advocate, and endurance athlete rooted in Colorado values. She serves as Chief of Staff and Vice President of Strategy at the Auraria Higher Education Center, overseeing strategic planning, communications, and cross-agency collaboration on one of the nation’s most unique urban campuses. Previously, as Director of Population Health at Vail Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, she led Eagle County’s testing and vaccination efforts—launching one of Colorado’s first drive-through testing sites and a self-registration system that increased clinic throughput from under 100 to thousands daily, helping the county lead the state in early vaccination rates. After the pandemic, Shaneis launched Eagle County’s first mobile community health program, offering free wellness exams, Medicaid enrollment, and bilingual navigation in underserved areas. She also established the county’s first SANE and FNE programs to support women’s health. At CDPHE, she led division-wide strategy, stood up the first project management office for Disease Control, and authored multi-year strategic plans. A former board-certified pediatric prosthetist, she helped pass twelve bipartisan state laws expanding access to care for people with disabilities. Outside of her current role at Auraria, Shaneis continues to drive data-informed policy through her firm, Upstream Informatics, races with an all women's elite team, the Ride or Die Collective, and was appointed to Denver’s Women’s Commission in 2025.

Monica Padilla works for Denver Health as a Bilingual School Based Mental Health Therapist in Denver Public Schools. Prior to this role she spent six years as a Trauma Informed Practices Consultant for Denver Public Schools. She has served the Latino community as a Bilingual Psychotherapist in various sectors including schools, mental health centers, and private practice, specializing in trauma and women’s issues. Monica is an alumni of the Latino Leadership Institute; additionally, serves on the Denver Latino Commission. She is passionate about her work & creating healing spaces!

Flavia Zarcula is a senior fundraising professional with over 10 years of experience in corporate fundraising and grant writing, research and evaluation, as well as management for philanthropic, government, and private organizations. Flavia first joined the Denver Women's Commission in 2021 and served as the HRCP Advisory Board Representative for the Denver Women’s Commission through June 2024. As a first-generation immigrant, Flavia is passionate about issues impacting migrant women and their families. In her free time, Flavia enjoys exploring Colorado's beautiful outdoors with her fluffy companion named Alfalfa. 

Jill Perks is a Cherry Creek North homeowner and Colorado resident since 2012, bringing over 16 years of senior leadership experience across technology and finance. She played a pivotal role in building the Denver site for a prominent fintech company, contributing to its growth and establishing a strong local presence in the city's thriving tech ecosystem. Jill is now channeling her strategic expertise and deep industry knowledge into board service and civic leadership, with a commitment to strengthening Denver's business, nonprofit, and community landscape. She leads volunteer initiatives through her nonprofit work and is passionate about giving back to the Denver community that has been her home for over a decade. Her cross-sector background in both high-growth technology environments and financial services positions her as a thoughtful and experienced voice at the table.

Jill enjoys public parks with her dog and exploring Colorado's mountains.

Adriana Lopez is a fifth‑generation Denverite and devoted public servant with strong roots in the city’s westside. A Denver native, she is committed to strengthening equity, accountability, and trust between community members and local government. For more than 15 years, she has worked across government, nonprofit, and education sectors, leading public affairs, communications, engagement, and outreach for organizations such as Denver Public Schools and the City and County of Denver. Her work centers on building partnerships, increasing transparency, and ensuring residents’ voices shape public decision-making.  As President of the Valverde Neighborhood Association, Adriana collaborates with neighbors to elevate community priorities, connect residents to vital resources, and advocate for solutions that improve quality of life. In 2025, she served as a leadership chair for the National Women’s Soccer League Community Benefits Agreement, securing long-term community investments. Adriana holds degrees from the University of Denver and Colorado State University and contributes her expertise through multiple boards and coalitions.

Charlene Emory-Proctor has over 15 years of experience in operations, program management, and project leadership across Fortune 500 companies and the nonprofit sector. Throughout her career, she has designed and executed professional development opportunities for women and BIPOC communities including initiatives ranging from mentorship programs to large-scale fundraising events.

Charlene holds a bachelor's degree in journalism and media production from Washington State University and a master's degree in international relations with a concentration in political ethics from Harvard University, along with a graduate certificate in social justice. She is passionate about women's issues including reproductive rights and healthcare parity, equal pay, and representation in leadership at companies and in public office.

Based in Denver with her spouse, Jason, and their two cats, Miso and Kobe, Charlene enjoys board games, attending sporting events, and traveling. She has visited 37 countries, 43 states, and all seven continents.  

Whitney Woods (she/her) is the Executive Director of the Rose Andom Center, Colorado’s first and largest Family Justice Center, where she guides strategic vision and oversees daily operations to ensure survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault receive coordinated, trauma‑informed support. With nearly 20 years of leadership experience in nonprofit, corporate, and government sectors, she is known for building strong teams, strengthening partnerships, and leading organizations through complex transitions.

Before joining the Rose Andom Center, Whitney spent a decade at Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains as Head of Operations and Brand, managing multi‑state operations and organizational strategy. She previously worked in Washington, D.C., in senior communications roles for the U.S. Senate and national organizations, overseeing crisis communications during major national events.

Originally from Colorado Springs, Whitney holds degrees from George Mason University and the University of Texas at Arlington, plus executive certificates from Cornell University. She serves on the Odyssey School of Denver Board and lives in Denver with her family.