COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. – The Mayor’s Office has announced the finalists for the eighth annual Mayor’s Young Leader Awards.
Launched in 2015 to celebrate the outstanding achievements of young professionals age 40 and under, a record number of nominations were received during the nomination period this year, from Wednesday, Aug. 11 until Monday, Aug. 30.
Of the nominees, 27 finalists have emerged across five categories.
Community and Economic Impact
Dani Barger, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
Jordan Empey, Stockman Kast Ryan + Company
AJ Frasca, Panino’s
Latrina Ollie, Solid Rock Community Development Corporation, Quar Notary
Jessie Pocock, Inside Out Youth Services
Bree Shellito, Ent Credit Union
Creative Industry
Brandon Borne, Bornes Pro Media, My Black ColoradoAshley Cornelius, Denver HealthBrother Luck, Four by Brother Luck, Lucky DumplingStephen Martin, Explore With MediaTerryJosiah Sharpe, Anthem Music EnterprisesMegan Whalen, Vladimir Jones
Education
Connor Beaudoin, Harrison School District 2Harris Kalofonos, Goodvoice Group, Young Chamion AmbassadorCory Notestine, Colorado Springs School District 11Corey Williams, Harrison School District 2Adam Wright, Mountain Song Community School
Sports, Health, and Wellness
Kristi Durbin, El Paso County Public HealthJess Lyons, YMCA of the Pikes Peak RegionDayton Romero, Silver Key Senior ServicesDr. Sara Saporta-Keating, Children’s Hospital Colorado-Colorado SpringsCassandra Walton, Pikes Peak Suicide Prevention Partnership
Technology and Sustainability
Trevor Becker, Rackspace TechnologySara Koeppel, Natural Resource Conservation Service, Magneti MarketingNatasha Main, Exponential ImpactAlan Peak, South Platte Fly ShopMichael Riggs, Perch Security
One winner from each category will be announced during an award ceremony on Thursday, Oct. 28 from 4:00 p.m. until 6:00 p.m. at 3E’s Comedy Club.
A special “Military Young Leader Community Impact Award” winner will also be announced.
The ceremony will be emceed by FOX21 New’s chief meteorologist Matt Meister.
A livestream will be offered at the same time on the Mayor’s Facebook page @MayorOfCOS.
Event sponsors include 3E’s Comedy Club, the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC, Fox21, Glassical Designs, Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center, and Vectra Bank.
Additional sponsorship opportunities are available. Companies or individuals interested in sponsoring the event should email Donna Nelson at [email protected].
For more information on the Mayor’s Young Leader Awards, including a list of past recipients and a description of each award category, visit ColoradoSprings.gov/MYLA.
