Mountaineer/businesswoman will share her journey to the summit at luncheon

Speaker Debbie Welle-Powell, MPA will share her journey to the summit and discuss taking risks, working hard and giving back at the Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce Downtown Luncheon from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Nov. 19 at Denver Athletic Club 1325 Glenarm Place.  The luncheon is $25 for CWCC members and $35 for non-members.  Register at www.cwcc.org.

Several years ago, Welle-Powell, an avid mountain climber, organized “Climbing for a Cause” as a way to give back and help others in her community.  In an effort to raise $100,000 for clinics that treat Colorado’s uninsured, Welle-Powell attempted one of the Seven Summits, Mt. Elbrus in Russia in July 2008.  She has climbed all 58 of Colorado’s 14,000 foot peaks in Colorado, as well as Mt. Rainer in Washington and the Grand Teton in Wyoming.  Additionally, she has climbed peaks in Bolivia, Mexico, and France and is planning Argentine’s Aconcagua in January 2009 and Alaska’s Mt. McKinley in 2010.

Welle-Powell is Vice President of Payer Strategies and Legislative Affairs for Exempla Healthcare.  She is responsible for over $1 billion in contract negotiations and legislative affairs for three hospitals, a behavioral health center and a large multi-specialty group practice.  She has more than 18 years experience in managing physician practices, payer contract negotiations, risk contracting, managing IPA and PPO networks and working with physicians to create varied network models.  Additionally, she currently teaches courses on health policy and financing at Regis University.

In addition to Climbing for a Cause, Welle-Powell is active in community projects and serves on several boards, including Mile High United Way, Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation Board, the executive committee of the Metro Denver Economic Development Council and the Coalition for the Medically Uninsured.