Mary Ann Padilla
Ann Padilla was the founder and owner of Sunny Side Inc./Temp Side, one of the region's 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 all work. Today, numerous people in Colorado and the national business community have benefitted from the counseling services provided.
Padilla spent several years in the community as a volunteer, board member, and trustee of both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She was 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. 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 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 the 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.
Padilla spent several years in the community as a volunteer, board member, and trustee of both non-profit and for-profit organizations. She was 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. 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 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 the 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.