Jennifer Sanders
Austinite of the Year
Journalism, Media & Content Creation
Jennifer Sanders is an EMMY and Edward R. Murrow award-winning journalist who is passionate about empowering others through visual storytelling and mentoring aspiring journalists. She is the evening news anchor at KXAN, where she was the inaugural anchor for the 4 p.m. newscast in July 2022 and helped launch KXAN’s expanded midday newscast in 2024. Jennifer has earned an EMMY, two regional Edward R. Murrow awards, NYS Broadcasters’ ”Excellence in Journalism” and ”Serving New York” awards, and other accolades for her groundbreaking documentaries and in-depth reporting in Austin and New York. Beyond journalism, she mentors high schoolers, volunteers at local schools, speaks, hosts workshops and travels for lectures on the vitality of journalism. She serves on Texas Lutheran University’s Board of Regents and is a member of various community service organizations. Jennifer holds a bachelor’s degree from Texas Lutheran University and a master’s degree from the University of North Texas.
Jennifer Sinski
Advertising, Marketing & Public Relations
Jennifer Sinski serves as Executive Vice President at Giant Noise, a leading public relations agency in Austin, Texas. Since joining in 2014, she has shaped communications strategies for prominent brands, including New Waterloo and Desert Door. Her expertise spans alcohol, lifestyle, media, culinary, hospitality, corporate, and entertainment sectors. As head of business development across Giant Noise’s Texas offices, Sinski oversees all potential client relationships and provides strategic counsel on PR and digital initiatives. Her portfolio includes managing high-profile SXSW event activations for the University of Texas at Austin, The New York Times, CNN, and WIRED. Sinski, a Southwestern University graduate, balances her public relations career with reading, playing tennis and spending time with her husband, Aaron, and their pets — a dachshund, Honey, and a cat, Hank.
Jacqueline Dudley
Architecture, Engineering, Construction & Design
As the Architecture Practice Leader in Austin, Jacqueline oversees studio operations and project delivery, ensuring exceptional client outcomes. Inspired by her family’s background in design and construction, she values the integration of architecture and construction, emphasizing the importance of teamwork in successful projects. Jacqueline has led notable projects, including the Omni Barton Creek Resort and Spa, Texas Bankers Association Headquarters, and Duke University’s Wallace Wade Stadium. She is deeply involved in the Austin community, serving as Chair-Elect of the Real Estate Council of Austin (RECA), mentoring through RECA’s Leadership Development Council, advising the City of Austin Technical Advisory Review Panel, and engaging with Austin AIA and Women in Architecture. Jacqueline also serves on the Elizabeth Ann Seton Board, supporting Ascension Seton Hospital’s NICU, and is active with the McDonald Observatory Board. She is a proud University of Texas at Austin alumna.
Hunter Regian
Arts, Music & Entertainment
Hunter Regian is a dedicated theatrical producer who merges entrepreneurial ingenuity with a passion for creating compelling theatre. Through Regian Entertainment—a boutique firm bringing the “y’all of it all” to Broadway and the West End—he produces shows like Sunset Blvd. (Nicole Scherzinger), The Tempest (Sigourney Weaver), Much Ado About Nothing (Tom Hiddleston), The Queen of Versailles (Kristin Chenoweth), and GYPSY (Audra McDonald). A UT Austin alumnus, he also co-founded the Austin Theatre Company to broaden audiences through training programs in unique spaces like corporate education and champion stories via new work development. By providing resources and fostering collaboration, Hunter connects artists, investors, and communities with the narratives they shape. In every project, he promotes inclusivity, invests in emerging talent, and reinforces Austin’s reputation as a vibrant cultural hub in the performing arts.
Yvette Ruiz
Capital, Financial & Insurance Services
Yvette E. Ruiz is Region Executive of Community Engagement at JPMorgan Chase, where she works with community leaders and nonprofits to advance policies & programs that drive economic growth. Her focus is on supporting low-income communities through direct programming and local collaboration. At JPMorgan Chase, Yvette has shaped the Firm’s commitment to supporting communities of color, while previously managing a global community relations program at Austin-based NI. She actively serves the Austin community through board roles with KLRU-PBS, Austin Education Foundation, Barton Springs Conservancy, RAISE Texas, and the United Way of Greater Austin. Raised in the Rio Grande Valley, Yvette earned a Bachelor of Science in Public Relations with a Business minor from the University of Texas at Austin. She enjoys exploring Austin with her husband, Ken Krumhansl, and their two children, Milo and Estella.
Diana Melendez
Civics, Government & Public Affairs
Diana Melendez (she/her/ella), a proud El Paso native, has called Austin home since 2003. She has been an active community advocate for over 15 years, starting her legal advocacy journey in immigration law. She currently serves as the Sr. Counsel for Communications and Community Engagement for the Travis County Attorney’s Office. Diana is also a Commissioner for the Commission for Women for the City of Austin and the co-founder of the Women of Color Collective (WOCC), an organization founded to empower and uplift women and nonbinary persons of color by creating safe and brave spaces for them to connect.Driven by her experiences as an advocate for immigrant and low-income communities and her own personal journey as a first-gen college and law school graduate, Diana is passionate about helping people of color create and claim space in areas not traditionally built for them. Diana received her bachelor’s degree from UT Austin and her law degree from the University of Houston Law Center.
Graham Bayley
Energy, Sustainability & Transportation
Graham grew up in Houston and moved to Austin in 2011 to attend UT, where he earned two majors: BBA in Finance and BA from the Plan II Honors program. After starting his career in energy investment banking, Graham joined the team at VTX Energy Partners, eventually becoming CFO. Graham plays a key role in finance, BD, and strategic initiatives. He helped secure multiple billions of dollars in financing, acquire a business, and grow one of the largest remaining private exploration and production companies in the Permian Basin of West Texas. Graham is also active in the Austin community as an Advisory Council member at the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Energy Center at UT, an Advisory Board member for the Muny Conservancy, and an organizer of monthly oil and gas networking events. Graham lives in West Austin with his wife Sunny and their two young sons Roman and Stellan. He enjoys spending time with his family at Pease Park, boating on Lake Austin, and playing golf at Lions.
Hal Williams
Food, Events & Hospitality
Hal Williams is a results-driven professional who transitioned from a 12-year insurance career to pursue his passion for hospitality and community service. As the owner of Austin Daily Press, Hal has doubled revenues, introduced innovative catering solutions, and enhanced its role as a community hub contributing to Austin’s culinary scene. His leadership spans serving as HOA President, President of the Young Men’s Business League and Austin Sunshine Camps, and raising over $2.5M for underserved youth. In 2022, Hal received the Community Builder Award for fostering connections and empowering others. A recent survivor of open-heart surgery, Hal approaches challenges as opportunities to grow and inspire. Grounded in a mission to enrich lives through food and service, he aims to strengthen Austin’s position as a global culinary destination while fostering meaningful connections within the community.
Bianca Garcia
Legal
Bianca began her legal career with a clerkship at the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights and the 3rd Court of Appeals, laying the foundation for public service. Her work as a prosecutor in the Rio Grande Valley and Travis County solidified her commitment to justice, particularly in the areas of juvenile and child abuse. She served as a Director in the County Attorney’s Office where she streamlined diversion programs. She continues that work on the bench as Judge of County Court 3. Bianca is a mentor at Texas Law, mock trial judge, and volunteer at the Dove Springs Rec Center, where her longstanding ties to the area reflect her commitment to the communities that shaped her. Her passion for creating a safer, more equitable Austin have not gone unnoticed. She’s was honored with the Young Hispanic Professional’s Association of Austin Emerging Leader Award, Con Mi MADRE Corazon Award, and the Contribution to Minority Community Award from the Travis County Women Lawyers Association.
Lauren Gambill
Medicine & Healthcare
As a hospital-based pediatrician, Lauren has personally cared for tens of thousands of Austin kids when they are hospitalized. Every day, she sees the barriers that our kids are facing in order to live their healthiest lives. She uses that perspective to align policy with the needs of our community. Lauren holds several leadership positions for organizations and programs working on child health advocacy and policy. She is the program director for the Academic Pediatric Association Health Policy Scholars Program, co-chair of the Executive Legislative Committee of the Texas Pediatric Society, and co-director for the Texas Educators in Advocacy and Community Health Collaborative. She is an Advisory Board Member of Texas Gun Sense and community organizer for the Refugee Coalition. She is an award-winning pediatric educator, training the next generation of equity-minded pediatricians. And the proud mama to three lovely kids (and future advocates).
Trennis Jones
Mentor of the Year
Trennis Jones serves as Vice President – Community Impact for Austin FC, the first major sports team in Austin, TX. He is passionate about using the power of sport to empower people who enrich our community. Previous to Austin FC, Trennis has served as an Executive in the sports industry for two decades; leading non-profit Positive Coaching Alliance in the state of Texas, serving as a Player Agent at Octagon, and in Basketball Operations for the Phoenix Suns. Born and raised in Austin, TX, Trennis is a graduate of The University of Colorado at Boulder with a BA in Communication. While in Boulder, Trennis was a scholarship athlete for the Men’s Basketball Team from 2000-2004. In his free time, Trennis enjoys playing golf, reading, and walking Jack, the family dog. He is most proud to be husband to his wife, Amy, and Dad to their daughter.
Shea Wylen
Nonprofit Service
Shea is a dedicated leader committed to inspiring the community to live generously. With over 20 years of experience in nonprofit and social services, they excel in fundraising, volunteer management, and creating sustainable programs that address critical societal gaps. As Chief Strategy Officer at Sunrise Homeless Navigation Center, Shea helped grow the organization into Travis County’s largest homelessness services provider, serving over 19,800 individuals in 2024. Their leadership increased annual revenue from $990,000 to $5.2 million in just two years, showcasing their dedication to addressing Austin’s homelessness crisis. A Leadership Austin alum, Shea has proudly volunteered with organizations like Texas Mamma Jamma Ride, the Association of Fundraising Professionals, ECHO, Kendra’s COVID Coaches, and CC4C. Through their life and work, Shea has served the most vulnerable members of our community and hopes to inspire others to create a lasting ripple of compassion and generosity.
Lauren Goldstein
People & Operations
Lauren Goldstein, aka ”The Biz Doctor,” started her entrepreneurial journey at just 7 years old & never looked back. As the founder and CEO of Golden Key Partnership, Lauren helps business owners break free from the grind, reclaim their time, and build businesses that once again bring joy & fulfillment, with teams & cultures that thrive. With a background in psychology & neuroscience, and a career that began in peds neuro, Lauren discovered her passion truly was in diagnosing operational and team challenges, not just tiny humans; the common thread of her journal always coming back to people. Her proven frameworks have helped both Fortune 500 giants like Apple & small business owners alike, to create thriving, sustainable businesses & happy teams. She is passionate about freedom—empowering entrepreneurs to build thriving businesses while also having meaningful lives. When not advising clients, she’s hosting The Biz Doctor Podcast or championing mental health & community impact in Austin.
Lexie Hall Burns
Real Estate
Lexie Hall Burns specializes in representing office tenants in lease negotiations. She identifies her client’s objectives and helps align their financial and operational goals with an optimal real estate strategy, providing exceptional service and personal attention with every interaction. Putting her heart and soul into every aspect of life, Lexie is the portraiture of a true professional in the real estate field. Her passion for real estate stemmed from family roots where customer service and community involvement were the highest priorities. Within the Austin community, Lexie has been recognized as Austin Business Journal’s 2023 Top Producer and Heavy Hitter’s List in 2022 & 2023. She was President of the Commercial Brokers Association, sits on the board of I Live Here I Give Here and Girls Empowerment Network, and many other community organizations. With a heart-based persona Lexie will continue to champion others while chasing her dream.
Cat Duong-Valadez
Retail, Manufacturing & Supply Chain
Cat Duong-Valadez is a Corporate Program Manager for H-E-B’s Supply Chain and Logistics team. Her work focuses on cultivating a culture of connection and belonging. Cat is also passionate about helping others tell their story in an impactful way. Known for her determination, Cat is driven by excellence and is always striving to find better ways to get things done. She has received the H-E-B Diversity Champion Award in 2017 and Diversity Advocate Award in 2023. Cat truly believes in the spirit of giving. As past chair of both H-E-B’s Diversity Leadership Council and the CTX Spirit Corps, Cat has helped numerous people find their passion through volunteerism. A lover of music, food and selfies, Cat is arguably the best in the selfies biz. In her spare time, you can often find Cat volunteering with different organizations such as SXSW or Urban Roots. She was accepted to the Leadership Austin Essential Program in Fall 2024 and is a proud 2021 alum of the LA Emerge Program.
Brooke Weinstein
Sports, Wellness & Fitness
Dr. Brooke Weinstein is a world-renowned expert in neuroscience-based sensory and emotional regulation. With a Doctorate in Occupational Therapy, she specializes in brain function, trauma, and sensory and emotional regulation, offering practical tools with transformative effects globally. She empowers individuals to craft fulfilling lives through telehealth, group programs, on-demand workshops, podcasts, YouTube vlogs, and a daily social media presence. Imagine Dr. B as a personal trainer for your brain, guiding mental health complexities with evidence-based strategies. A self-made woman, she established her first pediatric clinic in 2013, raising two premature babies of her own, and is now widowed. Transforming lives one human at a time, Dr. B is making significant strides in reshaping the landscape of mental health through sensory and emotional regulation. She has been featured in TODAY Parents, Scary Mommy, Motherly, and Forbes, as well as a 2023 Brainz CREA Global Award recipient.
Vikas Choudhry
Technology
Vikas Choudhry is a technology leader and Vice President of Infrastructure at Target, overseeing platforms that power a $100 billion business across online and in-store operations. His expertise in scalable infrastructure and large-scale analytics drives efficiency, reliability, and innovation in retail technology. Previously, at Walmart, Vikas led major digital transformations, enhancing e-commerce scalability and customer experience. He spearheaded large-scale infrastructure upgrades and platform migrations, optimizing performance during peak demand. Beyond corporate leadership, Vikas is a mentor and judge for Technovation, guiding young innovators. He has judged the American Business Awards and Timmy Awards, recognizing excellence in technology, leadership, and diversity. As a panel speaker at the Austin Retail Summit, he actively fosters knowledge-sharing in the local tech ecosystem. Vikas is passionate about mentorship, technology leadership, and driving digital transformation.
Aysha Sabri
Trailblazer Award
Aysha Sabri, MD is a Double Board Certified Psychiatrist at Austin State Hospital, a psychiatric hospital that provides mental health services to adults, child and adolescents, specialty services, and forensic restorations. By providing essential healthcare and supporting mental health initiatives, she hopes to reduce the mental health stigma, and make a lasting impact and drive positive change in the Austin Community.
Bryan Ashton
Youth & Education
Bryan Ashton serves as the Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Trellis, a non-profit that has focused on higher education in the State of Texas for over 40 years. Additionally, he serves as the Head of Trellis Strategies, a non-profit research and consulting firm that supports open-access institutions of higher education. Bryan is the Co-Founder of the Higher Education Financial Wellness Alliance, and is a frequent speaker at national conferences on issues of college access and affordability. Additionally, he serves on the Board of Directors for the Ann Richards School Foundation and is a member of the Austin Community College Regional Advisory Committee, where he works to strengthen the connection between ACC and the Austin community. Bryan holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with an emphasis in accounting from Ohio State University and a Master’s in Education, with a focus in Higher Education, from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.