Mentor of the Year
(Over Age 40) Behind every successful young leader is a mentor. Whether it is a former employer, a senior colleague, a parent’s friend, or a formal mentor, these established community leaders over the age of 40 have dedicated their time to guiding the emerging young leaders we celebrate through the Austin Under 40 Awards. Mentor of the year applicants will need at least one letter of recommendation from a mentee.
Advertising, Marketing, and Public Relations
These strategists craft compelling campaigns that captivate audiences and drive engagement. This category honors professionals who excel in branding, messaging, and communication, helping businesses and organizations thrive. Roles include, but are not limited to, advertising professionals, marketing managers, brand strategists, public relations specialists, media relations experts, and crisis communication professionals.
Architecture, Engineering, Construction, and Design
These ‘foundational’ members of the Austin community are doing more than building infrastructure, they are serving as pillars of support for our city’s diverse and vibrant population. This category honors the professionals, associates, and private business owners contributing to Austin’s growing commercial, residential, public, multifamily, and private developments. Roles include, but are not limited to architects, interior designers, general contractors, engineers, and landscape architects.
Arts, Music, and Entertainment
Each member of this distinguished cast of characters brings beauty, knowledge, and laughter into our community through his or her work in the arts and entertainment. This category honors those professionals working in digital media, film, television, music, and entertainment, as well as fashion and the arts. Roles include, but are not limited to, artists, fashion designers, directors, musicians, and festival coordinators.
Civics, Government, and Public Affairs
These nominees have demonstrated excellence and commitment to their field at the local, state, and federal level, implementing actions designed to identify and address issues of public concern. Their commitment and dedication to community service and positive change are prominent throughout their private and/or public sector careers. Roles include, but are not limited to, community relations, foundation representatives, corporate social responsibility leaders, community/public affairs managers, endowment representatives, and community engagement practitioners, elected officials (non-judicial), department and agency staff, campaign managers, lobbyists, and coalition builders.
Capital, Financial, and Insurance Services
The captains of Austin’s mighty economy, these leaders dedicate their lives to enriching the lives of Austinites, providing essential financial services that strengthen our economy. Roles include, but are not limited to, accountants, financial consultants, investors, insurance brokers and agents, actuaries, CFOs, and others with financial roles within their company.
Energy, Sustainability, and Transportation
These Austinites serve as the driving force in the way we power and move about our world. Roles include, but are not limited to, engineers, land professionals, city planners, scientists, analysts, developers, and other professionals specializing in traditional & renewable energies, utilities, environmental sciences, cleantech, transportation, traffic, mobility, air & rail services, and related disciplines and services.
Food, Events, and Hospitality
Rendering Austin a paragon among the world’s preeminent destination and food cities, these individuals have added the dash of originality and authenticity which has proven the main ingredient in Austin’s meteoric rise to the very peak of the globally-oriented hubs of culture. This category honors the professionals, associates, and private business owners serving in Austin’s fast-growing restaurant and hospitality scene. Roles include, but are not limited to, chefs, farmers, event planners, hotel/restaurant owners & managers, agriculture, farming, beverages, restaurant critics, and food journalists.
Journalism, Media, and Content Creation
These storytellers are the heartbeat of modern media, using diverse platforms to inform, entertain, and inspire. This category honors professionals who push the boundaries in journalism, media production, and content creation, whether through traditional outlets or digital channels. Roles include, but are not limited to, broadcast journalists, print journalists, investigative journalists, content creators, influencers, bloggers, podcasters, digital media producers, and social media personalities.
Legal
These guardians of justice are balancing their time serving the community with serving the legal industry through traditional and nontraditional legal services. These individuals fulfill both the private sector and government agencies. Roles include, but are not limited to, attorneys, legal assistants, mediators, stenographers, and legal support services (i.e. legal research, courtroom personnel, software, supplies sales agents, and developers).
Medicine and Healthcare
Forming one of the healthiest cities in America, nominees in this category are keeping a finger on the pulse of Austin’s health. These individuals represent the healthcare industry, as well as those deeply committed to advancing the research of life sciences. Roles include, but are not limited to, doctors, life sciences, nurses, assistants, and administrative leaders in all fields of medicine and healthcare, scientists, biologists, chemists, lab technicians, and research professionals.
Nonprofit Service
These philanthropists work tirelessly to advance, preserve, and enhance the Austin community through their careers as nonprofit and/or social service organization professionals. This category honors those leading and serving such entities, realizing diverse missions that aim to meet the needs of Austin’s most vulnerable populations. Roles include, but are not limited to, nonprofit executive directors, directors of development, spiritual leaders, outreach coordinators, case managers, social workers, and advocacy professionals.
People and Operations
Austin businesses are booming, and these individuals make sure that their companies are on the right track by supporting the overall goals and operations of the organization. The backbone of these companies, roles include but are not limited to, COO, executives, human resources, enablement, corporate social responsibility, sales professionals, operations, consultants, and administration.
Real Estate
Austin is exploding, and these individuals are agents in attracting companies and people. This category recognizes individuals in the commercial and residential real estate industry that are busy keeping Austin’s real estate booming, alive and well. Roles include, but are not limited to real estate agents, developers, brokers, professionals at title companies, and individuals working in property management.
Retail, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain
This category recognizes individuals in roles that support the lifecycle of a product from manufacturing to distribution. Roles include, but are not limited to, product manufacturers, retailers, distributors, resellers, buyers, planners, logistics, technicians, quality inspectors, and printing services.
Sports, Wellness, and Fitness
This category recognizes individuals who are making strides in promoting healthy communities in body, mind, and spirit. Roles include, but are not limited to, trainers, athletes, business owners, counselors, spiritual advisors, yoga instructors, estheticians, massage therapists, and coaches.
Technology
From the early days of MCC and SemaTech, to the growth of Apple and Google in Central Texas, Austin is a tech town. This category honors nominees who are advancing the technologies we will need for a prosperous tomorrow, and finding solutions to social, cultural, economic, and environmental problems. Roles include, but are not limited to, scientists, engineers, coders, analysts, researchers, software developers, sharing economy advocates, and representatives.
Youth and Education
Sharpening the minds of our future leaders, this category recognizes individuals in educational vocation who positively impact the education system and opportunities in our community. Roles include, but are not limited to, teachers, administrators, education advocates, volunteers, school counselors, professors, daycare facilitators, and tutors.