Built by the Community, for the Community
WSSW is more than a conference. It’s a collaborative effort to grow something meaningful in the beauty of our own backyard. Thanks to the support of Startup Colorado, a nonprofit dedicated to rural entrepreneurship, this event remains free and accessible to all.
Meet Your Lead Organizer
Vanessa McCrann
Vanessa McCrann champions rural entrepreneurs through community-building, events, and collaborative programs like the Rural Women in Entrepreneurship and Rural Creative Collective groups. Now based in Pagosa Springs, she brings a decade of experience in Colorado’s startup ecosystem, blending her passion for connection, creativity, and rural economic development.
Meet our Track Captains
Climate
Track
Richard Sherman
Founder/CEO of Mōdality and MONDO
People
Track
Holly Woods
Founder, Emergence Institute
Fun!
Track
Elizabeth Philbrick
Founder, EsoTerra Ciderworks
Communications Track
Maryrose Ewing
CEO, The Ewing School
Money
Track
Daniel Bleier
Customer Service Representative, Alpine Bank
Money
Track
David Bratcher
Customer Service Representative, Alpine Bank
Toolbox
Track
Matt Martensen
Founder, User Cooperative
Makers
Track
James Thomas
Founder, Yerg Tools and Consilium Design Management
Tech
Track
Andrew Kelleher
CTO of Canold, LLC
Meet the Startup Colorado Team
Startup Colorado is a 501c3 nonprofit organization that supports entrepreneurs in 53 rural counties. We believe that anyone should have the ability to start and scale a business in the place they call home. We’re here to help entrepreneurs access the human, social, and financial capital they need to build thriving businesses.
Brittany Romano
Executive Director
Margaret Hedderman
Director of Content & Brand Strategy
Mark Madic
Ecosystem Development & Partnerships Director
Vanessa McCrann
Managing Director
Tim Martinez
Director of Program Development & Innovation
Sarah Woodward
Digital Content Manager
Cheri Gonzales
Development Director
Thank you to our Advisory Committee
Karen Wainscott
Rachel Crawford
Kelsey Parks
Matt Huntley
Catherine Jones
Erin Jolley
Meghan Rauker
Mick Souder
Kimberly States
Amy Thieme
Jessi Burg
Christine Walsh
Taylor Johnson
Spencer Ingram
Christine Fonner
Roger Williams
Justice Ramos
Natalie Horner