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City of Colorado Springs, CO

10/07/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 10/08/2026 15:14

Finalists for 2026 Mayor’s Young Leader Awards announced

The Mayor's Office today announced its finalists for the annual Mayor's Young Leader Awards. The program celebrates the outstanding achievements of young professionals, ages 18 to 40, who are making a positive impact in Colorado Springs through their professional and volunteer activities.

Of the nominees, 21 finalists emerged across seven categories. One winner from each category will be announced during an award ceremony on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 6:30 p.m. at The Pinery at the Hill, 775 W. Bijou St.

The finalists are as follows:

Community Impact
Sponsored by USAA

  • Alie Ehrensaft - Inside Out Youth Services
  • Craig Carle - Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC
  • Skyler Nelson - Bailey Military Support

Creative Industry
Sponsored by VENU

  • Jonathan Toman - Cultural Office of the Pikes Peak Region
  • Kai Gaynor - Concrete Couch / Freelance Artist and Community Arts Advocate
  • Matthew Beem - MBeem10, LLC

Economic Impact
Sponsored by First Western Bank

  • Max Cupp - Exponential Impact
  • Lindsay Brown - Swinerton
  • Gilberto Santiago - Haselden Construction

Education
Sponsored Pikes Peak State College

  • Caleb Ulliman - Colorado Springs School of Technology / D11
  • Laith Al-Shawaf - University of Colorado Colorado Springs
  • Bree Shellito - Wings Credit Union

Military Leaders
Sponsored by Mt. Carmel Veterans Service Center

  • Gabriela Wodka - United States Space Force
  • Andrew T. Cabral - United States Space Force
  • Zeta Breon - United States Space Force

Sports, Health & Wellness
Sponsored by Diversus Health

  • Shauna Jackson - Sweetgrass Advocacy and School District 11 Indian Education Program
  • Davis Tutt - Colorado Springs Sports Corporation
  • Emily Brady - National Alliance on Mental Illness Colorado Springs

Technology & Sustainability
Sponsored by Slalom

  • Steven Aljest - D.A.R.T.
  • Denis Tudor - Swisspod
  • Logan Ruths - ORRS.ai

The award ceremony will be emceed by Peak2Plains Founder and Chief Meteorologist Matt Meister.

To get a ticket for the event, 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.

City of Colorado Springs, CO published this content on October 07, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on October 08, 2026 at 21:14 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]