Mary Ann Padilla
Ann Padilla was the founder and owner of Sunny Side Inc./Temp Side, one of the regions larger privately owned staffing services. She started this business with a chair, a card table, a telephone and a telephone book and, 31 years later, she sold the business to an international staffing company. Padilla advocated the idea that “We helped people put food on the table and a roof over their heads.” She took a personal interest in the career counseling that the company provided to all of its applicants and employees. She has always believed that there is dignity in all people and in all work. Today, there are numerous people in the Colorado and the national business community who have benefitted from the counseling services provided.
Padilla has spent several years in the community as a volunteer, board member and trustee of both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She is currently a mentor of the Circle of Latina Leadership, a trustee of the Denver Center for Performing Arts and a board member for Senior Housing Options. In the past, she has served on several boards and has been involved with numerous other community organizations, such as: Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Committee (now the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation); Mile High United Way Board of Directors; Women’s Chamber of Commerce; president of Women Business Owners Association (now NAWBO); produced Hispanic Community Affairs program for KCNC TV; delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business; hosted the World Congress of Women Business Owners; and director at Young Americans Bank. She was also on advisory boards for many banks including Wells Fargo Small Business out of San Francisco, Bank One in Denver and the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City. Ann also served on the State Personnel Board, appointed by Governor Romer.
Padilla has earned many awards and accomplishments throughout her career. She was named U.S. Hispanic Business Woman of the Year in 1986 and Outstanding Business Woman of the Year by Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She was awarded the Women of Enterprise Award in 1987 by Avon Corp. and the U.S. Small Business Administration; she received the Champion of Change Award by Escuela de Tlatelolco in 2004, the Women of Distinction Award by the Girl Scouts of America in 2004 and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1993.
Padilla cherishes her family and enjoys golf, gardening, decorating and interior design. Her passion is working with small business owners and consulting with people in need of direction and career counseling. She strives to be a good role model to her community by providing financial support and caring counseling.
Padilla has spent several years in the community as a volunteer, board member and trustee of both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She is currently a mentor of the Circle of Latina Leadership, a trustee of the Denver Center for Performing Arts and a board member for Senior Housing Options. In the past, she has served on several boards and has been involved with numerous other community organizations, such as: Greater Denver Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors and Executive Committee (now the Metro Denver Economic Development Corporation); Mile High United Way Board of Directors; Women’s Chamber of Commerce; president of Women Business Owners Association (now NAWBO); produced Hispanic Community Affairs program for KCNC TV; delegate to the White House Conference on Small Business; hosted the World Congress of Women Business Owners; and director at Young Americans Bank. She was also on advisory boards for many banks including Wells Fargo Small Business out of San Francisco, Bank One in Denver and the Federal Reserve Bank in Kansas City. Ann also served on the State Personnel Board, appointed by Governor Romer.
Padilla has earned many awards and accomplishments throughout her career. She was named U.S. Hispanic Business Woman of the Year in 1986 and Outstanding Business Woman of the Year by Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce. She was awarded the Women of Enterprise Award in 1987 by Avon Corp. and the U.S. Small Business Administration; she received the Champion of Change Award by Escuela de Tlatelolco in 2004, the Women of Distinction Award by the Girl Scouts of America in 2004 and the Distinguished Leadership Award from the University of Colorado, Boulder in 1993.
Padilla cherishes her family and enjoys golf, gardening, decorating and interior design. Her passion is working with small business owners and consulting with people in need of direction and career counseling. She strives to be a good role model to her community by providing financial support and caring counseling.
