Roalstad fulfilling goal as leader of Women's Resource Agency in

Beth Roalstad is training for her second sprint-triathlon -- but running the Women's Resource Agency and chasing two daughters doesn't qualify as part of her regimen.

Growing up during the Cold War with a fighter-pilot for a father, she was aware of politics and current affairs at an early age. She received the LBJ internship and worked on Capitol Hill right after graduating from college.

Roalstad recently took time to tell CSBJ about herself and her organization.

Organization: Women's Resource Agency Inc.

Position: Executive director

Hometown: Poughkeepsie, N.Y.

How long have you lived in Colorado Springs: Almost two years

Education: Bachelor's in political science from the State University of New York at Oneonta, master's degree in social work from the University of Denver.

A few words about your organization: The Women's Resource Agency was established during the 1970s as part of the nationwide movement to create "resource centers" for women who were moving into the work force in high numbers.

Since 1977, WRA has provided a fluid program of pre-and post- employment services for women, and has been able to accommodate the changes in our economy and the needs of women in our community. During the late 1990s, we added a school-based program for girls and five years ago began a program for adjudicated girls, providing a sentencing alternative program for the 4th Judicial District.

Recent accomplishments: Last summer I completed my first sprint- triathlon, the Danskin Triathlon, and I beat my personal goal. I hope to do at least one annually.

Biggest career break/accomplishment: Becoming the executive director of WRA fulfilled one of my major goals -- leading a women's organization.

The toughest part of your job: Managing my time to handle all of the tasks of executive director of a small nonprofit organization while trying to continue to be an engaged parent and spouse.

Someone you admire: My mentor, Susan Kenney of Lakewood. She has a brilliant way of being fully present with anyone she is talking to and makes you feel like she hears and understands what you are saying and what you are not saying.

About your family: I have been married to Andy Roalstad, a systems engineer for R.T. Logic, for more than 11 years. We have two daughters: Mary, almost 6, and Cate, 2.

Something else you'd like to accomplish: I would like to stabilize and then grow the Women's Resource Agency and help it to become a focal point in our community for women's and girls' issues.

How your organization will change during the next decade: The social sector is under scrutiny to identify short-term and long- term outcomes of its work in the community. I anticipate this will continue, and we will be able to develop even better tools to help us prove to our investors (donors) that we are good stewards of their money, and are using it to create the most impact possible and the biggest return on their investment.

What book are you currently reading? Aside from the ever favorite bed-time stories of "Liza Lou and the Swamp Haunt," by Mercer Mayer, and "Claire and the Unicorn Happy Ever After," by B.G. Hennessey, I am reading "Good to Great" by Jim Collins.

What is the one thing you would change about Colorado Springs? Often I have wished for anther daily newspaper as an alternative to The Gazette. Having come from larger communities, such as Denver and Washington, D.C., I am used to having multiple sources for local, state and national news.

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