Alumni Spotlight – Lori Sanders

Class of 2010

After graduating from Riverton High School, Lori took a non-traditional path, first enlisting in the United States Army to serve her country. Life later brought her back home to Riverton following a divorce, where she found herself at a pivotal point, evaluating her next steps. As a resilient mother raising three young children, she made the bold decision to enroll at Central Wyoming College (CWC).

From 2006 to 2010, Lori dedicated herself to her studies while working a full-time job, earning Associate of Applied Science degrees in both Business Management and Administrative Assistant. She attributes much of her success to a strong support system, including encouraging parents, supportive instructors especially her accounting instructor, Rob Richards, and a close-knit group of friends. Building on her solid academic foundation at CWC, Lori later earned her Bachelor of Applied Science in Business Administration online from Mayville State University, in North Dakota.

Lori began her professional career in Riverton as an accounts receivable and payable clerk and held various roles across local companies. However, she knew early on that she didn’t want to work for someone else forever; her heart was set on self-employment. Channeling her entrepreneurial spirit into community impact, Lori changed course and founded a small local business working with individuals with developmental disabilities through the Home and Community Based Waiver program, which is funded through Wyoming Medicaid. She provides an essential respite break to families raising children with disabilities. Her agency also focuses on helping adult participants acquire and maintain essential life skills for independent living while raising their physical, mental, social, and vocational functioning.

For Lori, the agency is both a passion and a family effort, with her husband and one of her daughters working alongside her. Together, Lori and her husband, Scott, have four children; two amazing daughters, a son with autism and in 2022 they were blessed with the opportunity to adopt their daughter through the foster care program. Lori has also served as the local coordinator for the Riverton Special Olympics since 2017. While she acknowledges that this work requires extraordinary commitment day in and day out, she loves what she does and finds immense fulfillment in serving her clients and athletes.

Reflecting on her journey from CWC to business ownership and community leadership, Lori offers clear advice for current students striving for their own goals:

“Don’t take a no as a final answer,” she says. “A ‘no’ is not the end, but rather the beginning to improve your skills and work hard in order to obtain and achieve your goals. Let the ‘no’ fuel you to greatness!”