Four Powerful Women In Denver

Women with a vision: Barbara Brooks, Janice Sinden, FloraJane DeRienzo and Joyce Tsai. | Photos courtesy of Jenny Marvin, JM Visual Art

As part of Colorado Expressions’ annual Women’s Issue, we talked to four female leaders who hold occupations that give them authority, influence and responsibility in the arts, business and non-profit communities in Colorado. These powerhouse women are making a real and definitive impact, with a common goal of making the world a better place. We asked these executives how they are faring in a male-dominated world, how they are changing the landscape, and what advice they would impart to other women in the workplace.

FLORAJANE DERIENZO

Curious • Strategic • Passionate

As executive director of Biennial of the Americas, DiRienzo is responsible for bringing together Colorado leaders through travel and experience in hopes of expanding our state’s global presence. It also allows her to have a whole lot of fun. “I have the best job in the world,” she says. “It’s amazing to discover destinations, to be curious about our borders, and to showcase these places to people in a way they don’t expect or imagine,” she says.

Her past jobs at the DCPA, Whole Foods and The Wildlife Experience gave DeRienzo the background and skills to fully embrace her position, which she began in 2020. In addition to leading an annual delegation of 100 Colorado leaders to various destinations in the Americas, DiRienzo heads up a biannual, large-format festival in downtown Denver with more than 250 mayors from the Western Hemisphere. “It’s a huge honor to be this deeply connected to the local community, build partnerships and broaden their experiences around the world,” she says. “I would love to see Denver talked about as a truly international city that is deeply inclusive and curious about the world.”

DeRiezno says she feels supported as a woman in power in Denver because most or all of her peers are women. “We’re taking over, to be honest,” she says with a laugh. Her words of advice to working women is to identify mentors and leaders who are inspirational, and to follow their lead and direction. And, she adds, “Put in the work!”

JOYCE TSAI

Open • Analytical • Eloquent

Growing up in St. Louis, Joyce Tsai had plenty of free access to museums, but she says she never felt welcome. “I didn’t speak English, and I didn’t know how to behave in an art museum,” says Tsai, who immigrated to the United States from Taiwan at the age of 7. Today, however, as executive director of the Clyfford Still Museum, Tsai has the unique opportunity to open the doors of the museum to our entire community, regardless of age, language or financial capacity. “Our instructions and staff are bilingual, and we are investing heavily in childhood education and family programming,” she explains. “We want everyone to respond to the art without baggage or how they think they should behave. It’s a fun way of empowering people.”

After working as an art historian, professor and museum curator at the Stanley Museum of Art at the University of Iowa, Tsai found her way to Colorado three years ago to accept her new position. “I set the vision and strategic direction of the Clyfford Still Museum. I’m helping to illuminate and bring visibility to this extraordinary collection, while inviting as many different communities as possible to come and draw strength from this resource,” she says.

Tsai says she feels invigorated as a woman in power in the Denver art community, adding that she is completely supported by her peers and colleagues through collaboration and productive relationships. “Everyone is open and willing to share their perspectives and experiences,” she says. “It’s unusual for a city to have such civic pride in a vibrant cultural sector.”

Her advice to other women: “Be open in a new situation and do a lot of listening — not only to your mentors, but to your colleagues as well. Be ready to be surprised by new perspectives,” she imparts. “Go into the world cultivating genuine relationships of openness and support, and you will reap what you sow.”

JANICE SINDEN

Firm • Compassionate • Joyful

DCPA executive director Janice Sinden strongly believes in earning your seat at the table. As the only female CEO in Colorado’s SCFD (Science & Cultural Facilities District) Tier 1 cultural organizations, Sinden says she is humbled. Yet she hopes that she is there not because she’s a woman, but because she is capable, competent and has proven herself many times over in the workplace. “Women’s leadership can mean being an ‘only’ — but I am so honored to represent my female community.”

The seeds of public service were planted early for Sinden, as she worked her way through civic duty as Mayor Michael Hancock’s chief of staff, executive director of Colorado Concern, and a staff member for Sen. Wayne Allard. She currently serves on a variety of boards, including VISIT Denver, Denver Preschool Program, and University of Northern Colorado.

Sinden has been recognized consistently as a distinguished woman in both the business and nonprofit communities, such as the Colorado Women’s Foundation, Girl Scouts of Colorado as a Woman of Distinction, and by the University of Northern Colorado Department of Political Science and International Affairs.

With an engaged and talented team behind her at the DCPA, Sinden, a fourth-generation Coloradan, has found a foothold in bringing transformative live theater to Colorado in every aspect. She is dedicated to finding ways to making the DCPA accessible in the broadest sense, to those with disabilities, age differences and financial differences. “I love that we are building a pipeline of theatergoers from 3 years old to 103,” she says. Sinden is responsible for the organization’s business sustainability, but she is also fortunate to get to see 60 shows per year, a definite perk of her job, which she has held since 2016.

BARBARA BROOKS

Bold • Giving • Humorous

Barbara Brooks thought she was doing pretty well in the business world, with a successful career in marketing, broadcast sales and mixed-use industries—until she lost her job at age 51 and realized that ageism is, in fact, a very real thing. “I was hard-pressed to be hired even with my career accomplishments,” she remembers. “Recognizing it wasn’t a ‘me’ issue but a ‘we’ crisis for women in their mid-40s and on, I decided to pursue the idea of creating a company focused on helping women elevate their careers and start new businesses.”

Today, Brooks is a trailblazer devoted to championing women in the second  half of life’s journey, hoping to change the narrative by reframing what aging means today. Through her company, Second Act, she is dedicated to the professional and personal development for women in their 40s and 50s and beyond. “I want to collaborate with others to stomp out ageist beliefs and the outdated stereotypes we live under today,” she says. “My hope for Second Act is to emerge as a national leader and sisterhood of advocacy and support and inspiration.”

Brooks is also a community leader, inspirational speaker and entrepreneur. She is fiercely committed to helping women navigate and flourish by taking a positive approach to growing older, inclusivity and empowerment. To other older working women, she advises to “crisis-proof” your career by continually up-skilling, networking and understanding your personal brand value. “Lastly,” she says, “we should be allies and support each other in the workplace, in our lives and everywhere. We’re in it together.”

Rebecca Gart is a freelance writer in Denver. Her daughter is on her way to becoming a Powerful Woman in Washington D.C., and she couldn’t be prouder.