Many Faces of Leadership Preview: Keynote Speaker, Administrator Panelists

AURORA – The Colorado High School Activities Association will host its first-annual Women in Leadership conference, titled “The Many Faces of Leadership,” at the Stanley Marketplace this Thursday. In advance of the event and over the course of the next three days, learn more about who the speakers and panelists are going to be.

The day will start with breakfast and then yoga with Lisa Vogt, the owner of Haute Yoga Colorado. Following a networking break, Tracie Cormaney, the principal at Pine Creek High School and keynote speaker will take the stage. She will talk about things such as: how to rise above in a male-dominated world, how to make your work relevant, how to use your voice and how to make it be heard and respected. She will also share how she became a leader, and some challenges and triumphs she’s faced.

Following the keynote speaker, an administrator panel featuring Janay Bird, Sybil Booker, Sara Crawford, Autumn Sereno, Cass Tafoya and Terita Walker will focus on Overcoming Barriers for Leadership.

Learn more about each of the speakers:

Keynote Speaker: Tracie Cormaney
Tracie Cormaney is a Colorado Springs native and graduate of Air Academy High School. Currently the principal at Pine Creek High School, Cormaney has over 30 years of experience in education. Prior to becoming principal, she had coached softball, volleyball and soccer, served as a yearbook advisor, an English teacher and as an assistant principal across multiple districts.

Panelist: Janay Bird
Janay Bird, a Colorado native, currently serves as the St. Vrain Valley School’s Fine Arts Coordinator. Bird has been in education for more than 13 years and has been in her current role for the last three. Prior to joining SVVSD, she spent 2011-20 as Erie High School’s Choir Director.

Panelist: Sybil Booker
Sybil Booker, a member of CHSAA’s Board of Directors, is the principal of Colorado’s most racially diverse high school, Overland High School. With over 20 years of experience in education, Booker has served as a middle and high school science teacher, an assistant principal, a Dean and principal.

Panelist: Sara Crawford
Sara Crawford wears many hats for Kit Carson, including athletic director, junior high language arts teacher, counselor and head girls basketball coach; a post she’s held for 20 years! Crawford is also a member of CHSAA’s Board of Directors.

Panelist: Autumn Sereno
Autumn Sereno has almost 20 years of experience in education, including more than 10 as an athletic director and assistant principal. Currently serving in both roles at Green Mountain High School, she’s also had stints at Broomfield, ThunderRidge and Sand Creek High School. A member of the Colorado Athletic Directors Association (CADA) Board, she’s also been a member of many CHSAA committees and the Legislative Council.

Panelist: Cass Tafoya
Cass Tafoya, a CHSAA State Leadership Committee representative, has been the Activities Director at Abraham Lincoln High School for the past four years. Prior to starting her role at Abraham Lincoln, Tafoya served as a team specialist and English teacher in Denver Public Schools, and was a STEM instructor.

Panelist: Terita Walker
Terita Walker has been at East High School for 15 years and is entering her second year as East’s principal. After starting her career in Chicago, Walker returned to Colorado in 2005 to work at Justice High School before eventually moving to Montebello High School. In addition to teaching at both schools, she also coached cheerleading.