Jean Tasker, a vice president with the Bank of Estes Park, will be honored Thursday night by BizWest as one of 14 women from Northern Colorado with this year’s Women of Distinction Award. This award acknowledges the contributions of a female leader who lives or works in Larimer or Weld counties in business, philanthropy, or government.
This year, Tasker, who has fought a battle with cancer, joined together with Lisa Hohensee, Nicole Gassman, and Maureen McCann to form The Bridge of Estes, an organization dedicated to walking with people in the Estes Valley who are dealing with cancer.
Tasker’s diagnosis—triple negative breast cancer or TNBC—is an aggressive, invasive cancer that accounts for 20 to 30 percent of breast cancers. This type of cancer is most often diagnosed in women younger than 40, who are Black and who have a mutation in the BRCA1 gene.
When she was diagnosed in 2021, Tasker’s family and friends rallied around her for support. Her journey through diagnosis and treatment made her want to reach out to help others to lend a hand of understanding and support.
Tasker teamed up with Hohensee, a fellow cancer survivor, Gassman, an Estes Park native who is a vice president and loan officer at the Bank of Estes and local Dairy Queen owner, and Maureen McCann, owner of the Mad Moose to form The Bridge of Estes, a 501(c)(3) sponsored by Crossroads Ministries of Estes Park.The organization’s mission is to bridge the gap between the wellness needs of those facing cancer with local resources and support.
The Bridge offers non-medical resources and support services directly to people with a cancer diagnosis. The kinds of support might include vouchers for a massage, an acupuncture treatment, a physical therapy session, chiropractic care, counseling/support, a meditation class, a skin care appointment, or a yoga session provided by sponsors. The organization also offers to help coordinate “daily tasks” that can be overwhelming when someone is receiving treatment.
To raise money for The Bridge of Estes, Tasker helped organize Shred of Hope, a paper document shredding and old electronic recycling event that was held at the Bank of Estes in June. The organizers are planning an open house event this fall for their partnered sponsors. Individuals and businesses interested in donating or sponsoring The Bridge can drop off a check at the Bank of Estes or at Crossroads Ministries, or mail a check to The Bridge, ℅ Crossroads Ministries, Box 3616, Estes Park, Colo. 80517.
The BizWest Women of Distinction award recipients include one emerging leader and one outstanding mentor. The annual recognition began in 2009. Previous recipients of the award select the honorees.
The awards ceremony will take place at the Ranch Events Complex in Loveland on Thursday from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at the FNBO Building’s north hall. The event will be hosted by Erin O’Toole, the host and senior producer at In the NoCo on KUNC 91.5 FM.