September 2019 – From Airlines to Africa: A Journey for Empowerment and the Environment – Holly Pettit

Featuring Holly Pettit
Founder, Africa Bags

The sky’s the limit for Holly Pettit.  As a Southwest Airlines Captain, she is regularly travelling and  bringing passengers to destinations across the country. But as the Founder of Africa Bags, she has taken her journey to farther reaches and to a new level of advocacy. 

Just over 10 years ago, after watching a documentary about the Rwandan genocide, Holly, an airline pilot, and Todd, her husband and a roofing contractor, became aware of the devastating poverty in Africa.  They desperately wanted to do something to help and began researching what others were doing to empower Africans.  

After seeing various projects, Holly and Todd were inspired to start Africa Bags in January 2007.  Their intent was to start a grass roots organization with the hope of making positive change in the world. It has become an empowerment project focused on fighting poverty in rural Malawi and reducing environmental waste in the United States and beyond.  

In May 2007, Holly and Todd made their first trip to Malawi.  They introduced their project to three villages near Mzuzu, Malawi, and then established Africa Bags within the villages of Kamweko, Viweme, and Nkhata Bay.  They began training on the production of reusable cloth bags, by providing foot powered treadle sewing matches and all the materials and training needed to make the bags.

Africa Bags is conscientious of environmental concerns while pursuing economic opportunities.

By producing hand crafted bags in sewing groups and selling them around the world, they are providing a sustainable income to women at risk.  Using a cloth bag from Africa also helps reduce the need for plastic shopping bags, which wastes the earth’s non-renewable resources and increases pollution.

Holly, along with Todd, and their children, have continued to grow and expand Africa Bags. They have included Africa Pads, empowering school girls by providing them with reusable, hygenic pad kits. They also have included Greening Malawi, which fights deforestation with a tree planting initiate and feeding vulnerable school children.

Holly’s tremendous efforts on behalf of Malawi and environmental concerns were recently recognized by the Colorado Women of Influence.  COWOI presented Holly with the International Woman of Vision award at the Women of Vision Gala in July 2019.

Throughout her career, Holly has presented herself as just a regular person and airline professional.  But indeed her skills and her heart show that her journey has been far more remarkable. 

August 2019 – Arts, Administration, & Advocacy – Kim Akeley-Charron

Featuring Kim Akeley-Charron
Executive Director, Thompson Education Foundation

Kim Akeley-Charron grew up in Maine where she developed her passion for art as a student.  She received a BA in Art History from the University of Maine.  She later worked in various contexts to further her interests in the arts and related fields.  She also realized her skills in donor relations, events, and nonprofit management while working with the University of Maine Alumni Association.

Eventually Kim and her family shifted from the East to the West, making the long trip from Maine to Colorado.  Her arts experience and management skills led her to working with the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and the Women’s College at University of Denver.  Later, she became the Cultural Events/Marketing Coordinator for the City of Loveland’s Cultural Service Department.  These experiences over a decade honed her interests in arts and advocacy while developing her leadership abilities.

In July 2012, Kim was named the Executive Director of Thompson Education Foundation in Loveland, Colorado – an opportunity connect the range of experiences that she has accumulated in arts, advocacy, and education.   In her role, Kim is committed to increasing the foundation’s support for students in Thompson School District as well as to the financial and organization growth of the foundation. 

Through her time as Executive Director of TEF, Kim has worked with many community organizations and entities including the Thompson School Board, Loveland Chamber of Commerce, and Loveland City Council.  She also serves on many community boards/committees in Loveland and Northern Colorado.  Kim also had the honor of serving three years as Chair of the Colorado School Foundations Association.

The experiences she has gained from these collaborations and service opportunities have allowed her to gain valuable insights for the community.  Those insights in turn have prompted her to now run for County Commissioner – a public service opportunity that allows her to utilize the full range of skills and experiences.  

Whether in education or public service, Kim continues to serve as an advocate and administer for the arts and for the community.