2026 FINALISTS
Mentor of the Year
Beth Goff-McMillan, SKG
Eboni L. Ceasar, Dell Medical School, The University of Texas at Austin
Linda Garza Battles, Western Governors University
Marc Nathan, Michael Best & Friedrich LLP
Marsha Stone, Foundation Stone Family of Programs
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
Angel Leverett, Austin Habitat for Humanity
Fabiana Meléndez Ruiz, Refuerzo Collaborative
John Mathew “JMAT” Bernal, ECPR Texas
Joseph Sommer, Whitestone
Shaquille K. Dillon, Huston-Tillotson University
Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Design
Amelia Harlow-Leggett, Turner Construction
Ashley Wainscott, Simply Home
Laura Williams, Living Oak Interior Design
Maggie Kane Wylie, ESO Architecture (formerly Point B Design Group)
Stephen Mery, The Beck Group
Arts, Music, and Entertainment
Cassandra “DJ Cassandra” Shankman, Sounds By Cassandra
David McMichael, Hyperreal Film Club
Greg Rosenbaum, SXSW
Kelly Gray, The Concourse Project (Music Venue) + Seismic Dance Event (Festival)
Luis Ordaz Gutiérrez, ProyectoTEATRO
Capital, Financial, and Insurance Services
Addie Rasche, Silverton Partners
Bart Davis, 512Financial
Kade Thomas, Emory Oak Partners
Paul H. Graham, Solyco Wealth
Sarah Romanko, Geek Ventures
Civics, Government, and Public Affairs
Genesis D. Gavino, City of Austin
James Valadez, Austin ISD
Kelsey Erickson Streufert, Texas Restaurant Association
Natalie Poindexter, NPI Consulting House
Robert Smiley McCray, Austin Fire
Energy, Sustainability, and Transportation
Carmen Suchecki, Brigham Exploration
Jessi Roesch, Downland
Matt Loszak, Aalo Atomics
Nathan Ryan, Goff Policy
Samantha Haynes, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport
Food, Events, and Hospitality
Arti Bhakta, Avent Productions
Ben Knorr, Texas Restaurant Association
Jhonatan Aldama, Kesos Tacos
Jordan Flowers, Jordan Flowers & Events
Katie Crenshaw, Still Austin Whiskey Co.
Journalism, Media, and Content Creation
Codie Sanchez, Contrarian Thinking
John-Carlos Estrada, CBS Austin & UT Press
Krissy LittleStar Hearn, TRIBEZA
Olivia Messer, The Barbed Wire
Sahar Chmais, Austin Business Journal
Legal
Jillian French, Eggleston Law Firm, P.C.
Kassi Gonzalez, Texas Civil Rights Project
Kayvon Rashidi, Powers Kerr Rashidi, PLLC
Rekha Roarty, Roarty Law Firm, PLLC
Sarah Harp, Texas Attorney General
Medicine and Healthcare
Brenda Puapuaga, Ascension-Dell Children’s Blood & Cancer
Dallas Wolford, MD, Austin Face & Body
Jasmine Lott, Galen College of Nursing
Kevin Kumar, The University of Texas at Austin – Dell Medical School / Dell Children’s Medical Center
Jobby John, Nimbus Healthcare
Nonprofit Service
Alyssa Ramirez, American Red Cross
Faiza Kracheni, Motion Media Arts Center (Austin School of Film + Cinemaker)
Kaitlin Mauro, 4ATX Foundation
Miranda Hitchcock, Every Dog Behavior and Training
Billy Whipple, Austin Habitat for Humanity
People and Operations
Cami Narino, Furnished Finder LLC
Celeste Madison, Monroe and Weisbrod
Liz Coufal, Valkyrie
Priya Taneja, DHR Global
Saamiya Seraj, A Better Force
Real Estate
Jenn Varelli, Commercial Market Exchange
Megan Etz, Industry ATX
Penny Chung, LT Commercial Group
Ross Speed, Compass
Troy Marcus, Evergen Equity
Retail, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain
Adam Zimmer, Zimmer Design and Manufacturing, LLC
Kelsey Black, The Book Burrow
Meghan Herman, HarperSage
Sammy Lam, Wanderlust Wine Co.
Sergio Trujillo, Desnudo Coffee
Sports, Wellness, and Fitness
Dr. Amy Hooper, Eastside Movement Company
Derek Franzraich, Healthyish Ventures
Jarred Curcio, TRUE Fitness & Focus; The Focus Room; Supernova Couples Coaching
Phillip Solomon, Barry’s
Tyler Parsons, Vital Society
Technology
Cassie Paul, Motiv
David Duguan, Voxify
Josh Levine, Thorian AI
Lynn Stevens, ICON
Yasir Arafat, Aalo Atomics
Youth and Education
Daniel Liu, The University of Texas at Austin
Dr. Ashley Glover, Dr. Ashley Glover’s Wellness Center
Janeth Medrano, Austin ISD
Krysta Chacón, The University of Texas at Austin
Tai Black, Black Tai Empire