Diane Smethills, one of the leading partners in the development of the new Sterling Ranch community in southwest Denver, was honored today by the Highlands Ranch Chamber of Commerce at their “Women Who Soar” event.
Smethills, one of three women honored at the event sponsored by the Northwest Douglas County Economic Development Corporation, received the recognition in front of Federal, State, and County officials. The selected women were recognized for their ability to “inspire us to be better leaders and are blazing the path for future generations. They have made a difference to us in our community and have positively impacted the lives of others,” according to an announcement.
Diane, along with her husband Harold, has been one of the driving forces of the Colorado-based Sterling Ranch Development Company. The vision for the 3,400-acre Sterling Ranch community took root in 2004 when the Smethills purchased the land from Joy Burns, making them just the third family to own the site since the Civil War. Once fully constructed, the community will include 2 million square feet of commercial space and 12,000 homes, totaling to an investment of $4.4 Billion.
“Thanks to Diane’s leadership in the project, the development’s designs have been strongly geared toward the day-to-day realities of family life, with a constant eye on environmental sustainability. Her touch is what has made this project so appealing to home buyers, and this community will be a lasting legacy to her care and nurturing of human connections,” said Mike Woodley, the town architect of Sterling Ranch.
Mrs. Smethills brought 35+ years of marketing, real estate development, finance, and implementation experience to the development team. After working for several years in New York City, she returned to her native Colorado and formed her own real estate company. In addition, she was an appointee of President Reagan to the Federal Home Loan Bank Board of Topeka. Diane was instrumental in negotiating the purchase of the property underlying Sterling Ranch. Most recently, she has managed a private real estate portfolio of Colorado properties, along with the Sterling Ranch development.
“Diane has earned a reputation around the region for her focus on community connectivity and partnership. Thanks to her thoughtful leadership, Sterling Ranch has built strong ties with the neighboring communities of Roxborough, Littleton, and Highlands Ranch, and our entire Denver community will, without a doubt, benefit from her careful approach to the development of this land,” said Amy Sherman, the President & CEO of the Northwest Douglas County Economic Development Corporation.