About MYLA
At the heart of our city's progress are individuals who drive change, inspire others, and exemplify leadership in their own ways. The Mayor's Young Leader Awards are an opportunity to celebrate and acknowledge exceptional young leaders from all walks of life. The annual Mayor’s Young Leader Awards program recognizes young professionals ages 40 and under who are stepping up to current challenges and serving as leaders in Colorado Springs through their work and/or volunteerism.
Do you know someone making a positive impact in Colorado Springs? Be sure to nominate them for this prestigious award!
Nominations open in August and winners are announced during an award ceremony in November. The program began under Mayor Steve Bach in 2015 and has been hosted annually ever since. 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, 56 members of the community in six categories have received a Mayor’s Young Leaders Award.
2023 Mayor’s Young Leader Awards Winners
- Matt Radcliffe, Education
- Matthew Minneman, RainTech
- Connie Ryan, Sports, Health and Wellness
- Latisha Quintana, Community Impact
- Sgt. Daryl Griffin, Military Leader
- Ashley Cornelius, Creative Industry
- Brianna Goodwin, Economic Impact
Categories
Community & Economic Impact
An individual who has measurably impacted the community or local economy through their business, community involvement or events. The community impact should have a tangible, measurable effect on the community, including job creation, workforce development, volunteer efforts, board service, or an innovative business model that promotes social goals.
Creative Industry
An individual who is using creative methods or systems to transform their given industry and demonstrates the power of art and business working together to make a positive impact.
Education
Uses creative, non-traditional approaches to improve education, thereby fostering future generations of innovative thinkers.
Military Leader
A team player who leads by example to embody the values of integrity and excellence in service. This individual’s positive impact extends into the greater community.
Sports, Health & Wellness
An individual who is making a standout contribution in any of the sports, health and wellness sectors, whether as an entrepreneur through business, events or volunteer commitments, or as a health and wellness champion tangibly improving the lives of others, physically, emotionally and/or mentally; implements compelling new ideas or provides, grows or enhances sport/recreation initiatives; uses sport/recreation to bring community together; or someone who has worked to make it possible for more people and societal groups to live healthier, happier lives and whose work in sports/health/wellness has had a meaningful social impact
Technology & Sustainability
This individual provides enhancements in technology and/or sustainability that advance productivity, improve efficiency, increase performance, provide innovative results or pursues sustainable initiatives to make our community a better place for future generations
Past Winners
Military Leader
- 2023 – Sgt. Daryl Griffin
- 2022 - Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Bandy
- 2021 - Capt. Ethan Heckmann
- 2020 - Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Parks
- 2019 - Staff Sgt. Barbara Kendricks
Technology & Sustainability
- 2023: Matthew Minneman
- 2022: Rebecca Jewett
- 2021: Natasha Main
- 2020: Rodney Gullatte Jr.
- 2019: Forrest Senti
- 2018: Erin Miller
- 2017: Rebecca Decker
- 2016: Allison Plute
- Oct. 2015: Jennifer Peterson
- Jan. 2015: Conor McCluskey
Sports, Health & Wellness
- 2023: Connie Ryan
- 2022: Aubrey McCoy
- 2021: Dayton Romero
- 2020: Timothy Corner Jr.
- 2019: Brian Moreno
- 2018: Ian Ratz
- 2017: Terrell Brown
- 2016: Megan Leatham
- Oct. 2015: Aron McGuire
- Jan. 2015: Nikki McComsey
Education
- 2023: Matt Radcliffe
- 2022: Sloan Gonzales
- 2021: Corey Williams
- 2020: Dr. Carole Frye
- 2019: Dr. Manya Whitaker
- 2018: Erik Huffman
- 2017: Scott Fuller
- 2016: Brittni Darras
- Oct. 2015: Justin Carpenter
- Jan. 2015: Wendy Birhanzel
Creative Industry
- 2023: Ashley Cornelius
- 2022: Jeresneyka Rose
- 2021: Brother Luck
- 2020: Dave Jackson
- 2019: Cody Burket
- 2018: Aisha Ahmad-Post
- 2017: Drew Johnson
- 2016: Claire Swinford
- Oct. 2015: Mundi Ross
- Jan. 2015: Jorden Smith
Community and Economic Impact
- 2023: Ashley Cornelius, Creative Industry
- 2023: Brianna Goodwin, Economic Impact
- 2022: Natasha Hutson
- 2021: AJ Frasca IV
- 2020: David Siegel
- 2019: Jake Eichengreen
- 2018: Jeff Finn
- 2017: Doug Martin
- 2016: Todd Baldwin
- Oct. 2015: Nick Ragain
- Jan. 2015: Yemi Mobolade