Two Nominated from CWC Start Up Intensive for Wyoming Women of Influence Awards

Liza Millet, program director for the Central Wyoming College Start Up Intensive in Jackson and Kathy Neiley, CWC Start Up Intensive graduate have both been nominated for the 2017 Wyoming Women of Influence awards. The Wyoming Business Report received 85 completed nominations in 12 industry categories this year. The final awards will be announced August 25 in Cheyenne.

Millet, who is also founder and board member of Silicon Couloir, a nonprofit organization in Jackson that connects and supports entrepreneurs, was nominated in the new category of Best Mentor.

“Liza is a master at financial insight and advice,” said Lynne McAuliffe, dean of business, technical, health and safety for CWC. Millet has been with the Start Up Intensive since its inception four years ago, coordinating, recruiting and mentoring more than 100 graduates of the program along with instructor Sandy Hessler.

I am honored to have been nominated, especially by a Start Up Intensive graduate. Sandy Hessler and I feel so lucky that our job is to guide and mentor wonderful entrepreneurial minds who more often than not, inspire us daily in return. ”

Liza Millet

Neiley, CEO of Full Circle Quilts/WyoWhy was nominated in the category Manufacturing/Technology.

Her business Full Circle Quilts, which she launched in July of 2015, started as something to help comfort her and her family after her sister-in-law was diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer.

“I wanted something to help her through her cancer treatments,” Neiley said. “To comfort and keep her warm during the chemo. The quilt solved a need for me and the family.”

Kathleen Neiley Full Circle Quilts

Neiley employs rural employees across the state to sew customized quilts for those who are in treatment. Family and friends submit their personal pieces of material to Full Circle Quilts and Neiley’s staff assemble the quilts and deliver the personalized quilt.

“Being nominated for this honor has inspired me to step into the role of a leader in a more formal capacity. I lead without thinking much about the fact that I’m the leader (years of teaching, coaching, etc.) but in this business it requires a different thought process: how I can inspire creativity in my employees and make them feel like their ideas are valued and important and that I am willing to change my processes if they have better ideas. I’m trying to create a company that the employees can own, not just work for,” said Neiley.

“It is extremely exciting to have two women recognized for being exemplary leaders in Wyoming business who are affiliated with CWC’s Start Up Intensive,” CWC President Brad Tyndall said. “The primary goal of CWC is to have graduates and instructors who contribute to and lead Wyoming's business economy. We are exceedingly proud of them.”