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 on Thursday. In advance of the event and over the course of the next two days, learn more about who the speakers and panelists are going to be.
 
Following the keynote speaker and administrators panel, there will be a movement break where the iconic Cleo Parker Robinson will lead attendees in movement and dance. Dana Pappas and Lindsey Atkinson from the National Federation of State High Schools Associations (NFHS) will then talk about what it means to have a community of female leaders and how to find balance.
 
Before taking a second networking break, attendees will hear from coaches and officials in a panel focused on women and intimidation: how to lead without instilling fear and the importance of representation and inclusion. Monica Abelein, Elaine Wright, T.R. Ellis and Caryn Jarocki will participate in the panel.
 
Learn more about each of the speakers:
 
NFHS Panelist: Dana Pappas
Dana Pappas is entering her third year as the Director of Officiating Services at the NFHS. In her role, she oversees officials programming and officials services, and partners with state associations to address the challenges of providing the quantity and quality of contest officials to member schools throughout the country. Previously, she spent 24 years as the deputy director and commissioner of officials with the New Mexico Activities Association.
 
NFHS Panelist: Lindsey Atkinson
Lindsey Atkinson is the NFHS staff as Director of Sports/Communications Associate, a position she’s held for the last six years. A former high school volleyball coach and coordinator of sports and tennis liaison, Atkinson has worked with the sports of volleyball, track and field, girls gymnastics, cross country and girls lacrosse. She’s also assisted the NFHS programs for inclusion of athletes with disabilities.
 
Coach & Official Panelist: Monica Abelein
Monica Abelein, the former head of the state’s swimming officials and meet director for Jefferson County, served as the meet official for all of Missy Franklin’s meets while she was at Regis Jesuit High School in Aurora. Last year, Abelein was recognized by CHSAA for her outstanding contributions to the sport of swimming.
 
Coach & Official Panelist: Elaine Wright
Elaine Wright is a high school volleyball and basketball official. She had previously served as a collegiate basketball referee with the Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Region IV, and was also a board member for the Colorado Volleyball Officials Association (CVOA) and Colorado Springs Basketball Officials Association (CSBOA).
 
Coach & Official Panelist: T.R. Ellis
T.R. Ellis was inducted into the CHSAA Hall of Fame in 2021 after spending 34 years as a head volleyball coach at Olathe, Douglas County and Chaparral. During that time, she posted a 467-288 record and won state championships in 2010 and 2011, with the 2011 team going undefeated. Ellis was named a League Coach of the Year seven times, the 5A Coach of the Year in 2005 and 2011, and the CCGS All-State Coach in 1990, 1995 and 2006.

Coach & Official Panelist: Caryn Jarocki
Caryn Jarocki, the all-time wins leader in Colorado high school girls basketball history, has helped lead the evolution of girls basketball in Colorado. The longtime head coach at Highlands Ranch, and formerly Colorado Academy, Jarocki became the first girls basketball coach to amass 700 wins last season. Also a prominent figure on the club, national and international levels of basketball, Jarocki has led her teams to seven state championships and will look to add an eighth in 2023.