Last night at the annual Mayor’s Young Leader Awards, Colorado Springs Mayor Yemi Mobolade honored seven outstanding young professionals for their contributions to the community, highlighting their transformative roles in various fields. Mayor Yemi, as reported by the City of Colorado Springs, praised the winners, saying, “I am deeply proud and inspired by the excellence and heart displayed by this year’s winners and finalists.” He continued by acknowledging the winners’ dual role as current and future leaders, who embody the values of presence, compassion, and courage in their quests to build a more inclusive and service-oriented city.
The awards, initiated in 2015, aim to formally recognize individuals under the age of 40 who have made extraordinary strides in their respective categories. With 21 candidates narrowed down to a winning seven, the competition was as fierce as it was diverse, reflecting the multifaceted nature of the community’s emerging leadership. These entities managed not only to lead, but also to significantly alter the landscape in which they work, engage hearts and minds, to build bridges where once there were none.
Among the lauded recipients this year, as detailed by the City of Colorado Springs, were individuals like Major Matthew Johnson, receiving the Military Leaders Award for his service in the United States Army, and Major Kevin Cardenas, honored in the Technology and Sustainability category for his Air Force contributions. Nicole Weis was recognized in Sports, Health, and Wellness for her work with the Lyda Hill Institute for Human Resilience at UCCS. Falling into the realm of education, Jessica Wise’s efforts within Colorado Springs School District 11 merited accolades, while Trevor Terrill’s work at EarthX was singled out for the Economic Impact award…