About MYLA
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.
Nominations are accepted each August and winners are announced during an award ceremony each October. The award categories are Community & Economic Impact; Creative Industry; Education; Military Leader; Sports, Health & Wellness; and Technology & Sustainability. The program began under Mayor Steve Bach in 2015 and has been hosted annually ever since.
Finalists for 2023 Mayor’s Young Leader Awards
One winner from each category will be announced during an award ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 1 from 5-7 p.m. at the Ent Center for the Arts, 5225 N. Nevada Avenue.
The finalists are as follows:
Community and Economic Impact
- Chelsea Elstad, The Independence Center
- Brianna Goodwin, Colorado Springs Sports Corp
- Skyler Nelson, Bailey Military Family Support Group
- Latisha Quintana, 4th Judicial District Court
- Annie Snead, Ent Credit Union
Creative Industry
- Ashley Cornelius, PPLD, Pikes Peak, Region Poet Laureate
- Krys Fakir, KFE LLC.
- Alison King, Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
- Victoria Lipscomb, Colorado Springs CommunityWorks
- TerryJosiah Sharpe, Anthem Music Enterprises
Education
- Brandi Bergh, Early Connections Learning Centers
- Shay Dabney, Citizen’s Project
- William “Billy” Kinn, Catamount Institute
- Noea Moss, Northwestern Mutual
- Matt Radcliffe, Pikes Peak State College
Military Leaders
- Samantha Chapman, Sentinels of Freedom
- Kimberly Gold, The Gold Standard
- Daryl Griffin, United States Space Force
- Brandi Ketchum, U.S. Army
- Anchor Losch, U.S. Army
Sports, Health & Wellness
- Melanie Baker, UCHealth
- Rachael Degurse, MD, Pearl Skin & Body Rejuvenation
- Dan Hoang, Campfire Smiles Pediatric Dentistry
- Rachel Keener, Community Health Partnership
- Connie Ryan, Journey Care Coordinating
Technology & Sustainability
- Christopher Aaby, Great Outdoors Colorado
- Luz C. González, Industry Ikon
- Maréa Janae, Dream Catcher Weddings
- Matthew Minneman, RainTech
- Cully Radvillas, SRAM
2023 MYLA Sponsors










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
2022 - Tech. Sgt. Stephanie Bandy
2021 - Capt. Ethan Heckmann
2020 - Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Parks
2019 - Staff Sgt. Barbara Kendricks
Technology & Sustainability
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
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
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
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
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