Nominations now open for the Colorado Springs 2024 Mayor’s Young Leader Awards

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Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade is now accepting nominations for the annual Mayor's Young Leader Awards. These awards celebrate the outstanding achievements of young professionals, ages 18 to 40, whose efforts positively impact the Colorado Springs community.

Nominees must live or work in Colorado Springs. City employees are not eligible. Nominations must be submitted via ColoradoSprings.gov/MYLA by Friday, Aug. 30.

Winners will be announced during an award ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 6-8 p.m. at the Pinery at the Hill. Ticket sales will be announced once available.

Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade was nominated and received the first award in the Community and Economic Impact category when the program launched under former mayor Steve Bach in 2015. Since then, 55 members of the community in six categories have received these prestigious awards.

In 2023, the Community and Economic Impact category was split into two separate categories providing more opportunities for nominees.

The seven award categories into which a young leader can be nominated are as follows:

Community Impact: An individual who has measurably impacted the community through their contribution, involvement, or events. They show a tangible effect on the community outside of their normal business, including volunteer efforts, board service, and clear commitment to sustainable social responsibility.

Past winners: Latisha Quintana, 4th Judicial District Court (2023); Natasha Hutson, U.S. Bank (2022); AJ Frasca IV, Panino's Restaurants (2021); David Siegel, Bee Vradenburg Foundation (2020); Jake Eichengreen, Quad Innovation Partnership (2019); Jeff Finn, Nor'wood Development Group (2018); Doug Martin, Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (2017); Todd Baldwin, Red Leg Brewing Company (2016); Nick Ragain, Colorado Springs Switchbacks (Oct. 2015); Yemi Mobolade, The Wild Goose Meeting House (Jan. 2015)

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Creative industry: An individual who has used creative methods or systems to transform their given industry and demonstrates the power of art and business working together to make a positive impact.

Past winners: Ashley Cornelius, Pikes Peak Region Poet Laureate (2023); Jeresneyka Rose, Trust for Public Land (2022); Brother Luck, Four by Brother Luck and Lucky Dumpling (2021); Dave Jackson, CaveSim (2020); Cody Burket, ESports Arena (2019); Aisha Ahmad-Post, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2018); Drew Johnson, TechWears (2017); Claire Swinford, Downtown Partnership (2016); Mundi Ross, Colorado Collective (Oct. 2015); Jorden Smith, A Positive Note (Jan. 2015)

Economic Impact: An individual who has measurably impacted the local economy through their business, community involvement or events. They have had a tangible effect on the economy, including job creation, workforce development, or an innovative business model that promotes social goals.

Past winners: Brianna Goodwin, the Colorado Springs Sports Corporation (2023)

Education: An individual who has used creative and non-traditional approaches to improve education, thereby fostering future generations of innovative thinkers.

Past winners: Matt Radcliffe, Pikes Peak State College (2023); Sloan Gonzales, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2022); Corey Williams, Harrison School District 2 (2021); Dr. Carole Frye, Colorado Springs School District 11 (2020); Dr. Manya Whitaker, Colorado College (2019); Erik Huffman, Handshake Leadership (2018); Scott Fuller, School District 11 (2017); Brittni Darras, Academy School District 20 (2016); Justin Carpenter, Pikes Peak Community College (Oct. 2015); Wendy Birhanzel, Harrison School District (Jan. 2015)

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Military leader: An active-duty individual who has led by example outside their military role to embody the values of integrity and excellence in service into the greater community.

Past winners: Sgt. Daryl Griffin, United States Space Force (2023); Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Bandy, United States Air Force (2022); Cpt. Ethan Heckmann, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2021); Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Parks, Peterson Air Force Base (2020); Staff Sgt. Barbara Kendricks, U.S. Army (2019)

Sports, health, and wellness: An individual who has made a standout contribution as a health and wellness champion, improving the lives of others, physically, emotionally and mentally. They have had a tangible effect in sport and recreation initiatives to bring community together and make it possible for more people and societal groups to live healthier, happier lives.

Past winners: Connie Ryan, Journey Care Coordinating (2023); Aubrey McCoy, Colorado Springs Sports Corp (2022); Dayton Romero, Silver Key Senior Services (2021); Timothy Corner Jr., Man 2 Machine (2020); Brian Moreno, Colorado Springs Little League (2019); Ian Ratz, University of Colorado Colorado Springs (2018); Terrell Brown, Hillside Connection (2017); Megan Leatham, Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb (2016); Aron McGuire, United States Olympic Training Center (Oct. 2015); Nikki McComsey, Kids on Bikes (Jan. 2015)

Technology and sustainability: An individual who has provided enhancements in technology and sustainability that advance our city's productivity, improved efficiency, increased performance, or provided innovative results to make our community a better place for future generations.

Past winners: Matthew Minneman, Rain Tech (2023); Rebecca Jewett, Palmer Land Conservancy (2022); Natasha Main, Exponential Impact (2021); Rodney Gullatte Jr., Firma IT Solutions & Services (2020); Forrest Senti, National Cybersecurity Center (2019); Erin Miller, Center for Technology Research and Commercialization (2018); Rebecca Decker, Catalyst Campus (2017); Allison Plute, Colorado Springs Utilities (2016); Jennifer Peterson, Rocky Mountain Field Institute (Oct. 2015); Conor McCluskey, BombBomb (Jan. 2015)

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