Every once in a while you cross paths with a woman whose drive, perseverance, and accomplishments far exceed the status quo. This woman inspires and humbles you. You admire her unceasing dedication to the things in life that matter most to her. You aspire to attain the same level of selfless service and generosity. You are proud to call her a friend, a co-worker, a family member, or mentor.
These words help describe Cindy Baroway.
Cindy’s passion is creating and connecting communities by working closely with the individual members and empowering them to develop their own leadership paths. She has a Master’s in Education, emphasizing adult education, from Regis University and formally worked her way up through the management ranks at Safeco Insurance Company to a National Claims Director position. Currently she is a member of the Adjunct Faculty leadership team at the University of Colorado Denver Business School as a Risk Management and Insurance lecturer. She also serves on the Risk Management and Insurance program’s advisory council and chairs the student connections committee. Cindy was instrumental in developing the program that has helped create scholarship, internship, and job placement opportunities for numerous students who have completed the highly specialized program.
As part of that process, she also founded the RMI Program’s Shadow Day event, held each semester, that allows students to visit companies in the RMI industry and get hands-on experience. She also advocated for providing scholarships for every RMI student and thanks to the generosity of industry partners, that has become a reality.
This past summer, Cindy taught a free one-credit hour course to high school students to introduce them to careers in Risk Management and Insurance, RISK 1000. Students will receive one credit hour of college credit for completing the class.
On a national level, she has been a leader in the Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriters (CPCU) Society. With over 25,000 members worldwide, she was a member of the board of directors, then served as vice president and president-elect before finally becoming the fifth woman to serve as President of the Society in its 70 years of existence.
Locally, she has spent 23 years volunteering for The Action Center eventually becoming a board member in 2008, and the President in 2014. In the West Chamber’s Leadership Jefferson County program for 2005, Cindy was voted co-valedictorian.
She is also involved on the “Cradle to Career” initiative with Jefferson Success Pathway to ensure students will succeed in college and in their careers. Cindy has also served the community on Lakewood City Council since 2007 when she was elected to her first term. She served as Mayor Pro Tem in 2011 and City Council President in 2013, where she worked closely with the Mayor and City Manager. Cindy was elected to her last term in 2011 and will finish on November 23rd.
As a council member for the last 8 years and chair of the Colfax Vision 2040 Plan committee, she worked through many difficult and rewarding projects and issues including the W line light rail, re-write of the City’s zoning ordinance, and the creation of the 40 West Arts District.
Whether Cindy is working with students at the University, Lakewood residents, clients of The Action Center, or Jeffco school children through Junior Achievement, she brings passion, optimism, and fortitude to her work and leads others to become the next leaders of the future.
On this recognition Baroway said, “This means so much to me. I’m being recognized along with some very accomplished women and I’m honored and humbled to be in their company. This was an unexpected recognition.”
Cindy will be joined by the following women, who are also recognized as 2015 Celebrate Women of Jefferson County honorees:
Margie Ball-Cook
Cindy Baroway
Emily Curray
Jill Fellman
Harriet Hall
MaryAnn Proctor (Posthumous)
Dana Rinderknecht
Joan Smith
Sharon Trefny
Whether Cindy is working with students at the University, Lakewood residents, clients of The Action Center, or Jeffco school children through Junior Achievement, she brings passion, optimism, and fortitude to her work and leads others to become the next leaders of the future.
The 14th Annual Celebrate Women Breakfast will be held Friday, November 13, 2015 at the Denver Marriott West in Golden, CO.
