Denise D. Hernández
Austinite of the Year
Legal
Denise Hernández is a community organizer and the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law #6 in Travis County, Texas. She also leads the Transformative Youth Justice program, a youth diversion program focused on holistic community-centered support for young people impacted by the justice system. Judge Hernández is committed to initiatives centered in equity, mentorship, and community building. She currently serves on the board of The Contemporary, Creative Action, The New Philanthropists, and the Rebel Fund. Judge Hernández has been recognized locally and nationally for her community work. She was honored as an Anne McAfee Leader of Cultural Change, recognized as a Racial Justice Champion, and named the “People’s Judge” by Austin Woman Magazine. Driven by her lived experience and humble beginnings, Judge Hernández continues to dedicate herself to increasing fair access in the courtroom, mentorship, and implementing collective care and healing-focused approaches in the justice system.
Andrea LaCour
Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Andrea is a nationally recognized expert in accessibility, having consulted on over 1,000 projects in Texas and beyond. She is also a sought after presenter and educator on all things accessibility. Andrea is an active member of the local AIA, ASLA, and APA Chapters. She serves as the currently Board Chair for the ACE Mentor Program of Austin, a volunteer with Big Brothers Big Sisters for the last 10 years, a volunteer at the Austin Resource Center for the Homeless, Habitat for Humanity, Community First Village, and other local organizations. Professionally, Andrea has a passion for affordable housing projects and universal design projects, bringing inclusivity and accessibility to all of our community regardless of their ability.
Stephanie Bergara
Arts, Entertainment, and Social Media
A music industry veteran of over 15 years, Stephanie Bergara is a musician, manager, event producer, publicist and philanthropist. Currently she is serving as the Special Events Manager at Waterloo Greenway Conservancy, a 1.5 mile park system located in the heart of Downtown Austin. In addition to her full time job, Stephanie and her award winning Selena Tribute Band, Bidi Bidi Banda have toured the United States for 10 years. Stephanie lives in East Austin and is passionate about sharing her love for music and creativity with her six year old son, Andres.
Kelly Outlaw
Capital, Financial, and Insurance Services
Kelly Outlaw has been an executive leader over a decade. A proud Longhorn, she has been an Austin area resident her entire life. Her career includes being the CFO of a $350MM oil company, the CFO/COO of Austin Habitat for Humanity, and currently the CFO of Community Impact. Her leadership philosophy involves putting the needs of employees first through competitive compensation, top of the line benefits, and a healthy work life balance. Kelly and her family are members of The Fellowship Church in Round Rock, she is the Board Vice Chair of Austin Bridge Builders Alliance, a committee member for the Habitat for Humanity Women’s Build, and an active volunteer with Jail to Jobs. She is a firm believer in the power of faith in the workplace, and the motivation to do good in this world. Kelly believes that every citizen pulling in the same direction can make a grand impact on our local community. You will find Kelly either in the yoga studio or with her husband Brian Outlaw and their 4 children.
Lily Trieu
Civics, Government, and Public Affairs
Lily Trieu is a cross-sector professional with more than 15 years of experience in public, private, and nonprofit organizations. Currently she serves as a Co-Founder and Executive Director of Asian Texans for Justice, a statewide nonprofit with a mission to connect Asian and Pacific Islander Texans to meaningful civic action to build personal and political power. Prior to her policy and advocacy work, Lily spent over a decade in the private sector with a focus on strategy, relationship management, and project management. She has a BBA in Marketing and BA in Asian Studies from The University of Texas Austin as well as an MBA with a concentration in Public and Governmental Affairs from the McCombs School of Business and completed a Portfolio Studies in Nonprofit Management. Currently based in Austin, TX, Lily sits on the City of Austin Asian American Quality of Life Advisory Commission and is an Advisory Board Member of the Annette Strauss Institute for Civic Life.
Matthew Iommi
Energy, Sustainabilty, and Transportation
As a Forbes 30 Under 30 awardee and a graduate in Economics from Texas A&M, Matthew Iommi stands as the driving force behind Fetii, disrupting the landscape of group rideshare. Facilitating over a million rides across multiple states, Matthew pioneers a paradigm shift in transportation. However, Matthew Iommi’s commitment transcends business success. Generously donating Fetii services to charitable events, including support for the Austin Humane Society, reflects Matthew’s dedication to community welfare. Moreover, Matthew’s leadership philosophy centers on empowering communities. By creating hundreds of employment opportunities, particularly for those facing socioeconomic challenges, Matthew ensures Fetii serves as a catalyst for positive change. This holistic approach combines innovation with impactful social initiatives, fostering economic stability and community development.
Jane Ko
Food, Events, and Hospitality
Jane Ko is the creator behind A Taste of Koko, Austin’s top food and travel blog featuring the hottest restaurants and weekend getaways. Author of Koko’s Guide To Austin, a pocket-sized guidebook on Austin Texas that features over 300 local businesses and restaurants. Co-founder of Hundred For Hospitality that raised $14,000 during lockdown of 2020, and Austin Winter Storm Relief that raised $160,000 during the winter storm of 2021. A Taste of Koko has been featured in O Magazine, InStyle Magazine, OWN TV Network, and The New York Times.
Nico Ramsey
Journalism, Marketing, and Public Relations
Nico Ramsey is a formidable force in public relations who serves as an account supervisor at ECPR Texas. With an impressive client roster that includes Google, Texas Restaurant Association, Downtown Austin Alliance, and the Texas Library Association, among others, Nico brings over a decade of experience in both public and community relations. In 2023, Ramsey was listed to the prestigious Forbes Under 30 list for his professional achievements that have benefited the Central Texas region and beyond. His impact has been recognized by Notley Ventures, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Austin Chamber of Commerce, Austin LGBT Chamber of Commerce and Austin Monthly, to name a few.
Dedicated to philanthropy, Ramsey chairs the Mayors Corporate Engagement Summit and serves on the National Board of Governors for the Human Rights Campaign, America’s largest LGBTQ civil rights group and has raised over $1 million to fund advocacy and health services for the queer community.
Ami Shah Vira
Medicine and Healthcare
Dr. Shah Vira grew up in Arizona. She moved to Chicago to complete a combined engineering and medical program at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT) and Chicago Medical School. While at IIT, she played collegiate soccer. After graduating medical school, she completed her ophthalmology surgical residency at the University of Arizona, where she served as chief resident. After residency, she completed a highly competitive two year dual fellowship in Neuro-ophthalmology and Oculoplastics at the Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio.
Dr. Shah Vira is board certified with the American Board of Ophthalmology. She is a member of the American Academy of Ophthalmology, North American Neuro Ophthalmology Society, Fellow in the American Academy of Surgeons, and Austin Ophthalmology Society. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her family, playing tennis and the piano.
Angela Valenzuela
Mentor of the Year
Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Texas at Austin where she directs the Texas Center for Education Policy. She completed her Ph.D. in Sociology at Stanford University and is the author of the award-winning book, Subtractive Schooling: U.S.-Mexican Youth and the Politics of Caring (1999). She also founded a blog titled, Educational Equity, Politics, and Policy in Texas. Dr. Valenzuela serves as co-chair to the National LULAC Higher Education Committee and co-founder of Academia Cuauhtli, a partnership-based, community-anchored Saturday school serving elementary school children with district-wide Impacts in AISD. She also co-founded Black Brown Dialogues on Policy to encourage coalition building and solidarity across diverse alliances. She is highly published & regarded as among the top 200 scholars in education nationally by the 2024 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings by the American Enterprise Institute.
Chelsea Elliott
Nonprofit Service
Chelsea Elliott never dreamed her childhood nickname, “half Helen,” would spark a life of service to her community. Facing blindness in one eye and deafness in one ear at just 10 years old, Chelsea boldly embraced the nickname, paying homage to her hero, Helen Keller. After graduating college in 2013, Chelsea founded the nonprofit to help people see the world clearly. A decade later, half Helen’s mobile optometry clinics have provided comprehensive vision care and prescription eyeglasses to 9,255 low-income central Texans. Chelsea’s dedication earned her the Social Impact award at the 2023 Women’s Way Business Awards.
Billy Moyer
People and Operations
Billy Moyer is a developer of people and organizations. He is a people operations and leadership expert who is a skilled facilitator, speaker, executive, and entrepreneur. He went through his first goal setting program at just four-years-old and spoke to his first group at seven. He started his first company, SOS Leadership at 21 and wrote the first of 4 books at 22. Billy is passionate about helping people realize their unlimited potential.
Sergio Negrete
Real Estate
Sergio Negrete is a native Austinite who has played a pivotal role in shaping the retail landscape of the Mueller Development and led his team and the City of Austin in re-zoning the 208 acres for the Colony Park Sustainable Community. Sergio is not only known for his role in these mixed-use projects but also for his dedication to working with local businesses, stakeholders and the community to make these projects successful. Outside of his work, Sergio is involved with various non-profits and organizations such as the Real Estate Council of Austin, Urban Roots, Austin Community Foundation’s Accelerator Committee, and in this years Leadership Austin’s Essential Class (45). As if this wasn’t enough, he and his wife are enjoying the chaos of raising two kids (ages 4 & 2) and enjoying everything our great City has to offer.
Chip Malt
Retail, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain
Bradford “Chip” Malt, Co-Founder and CEO of Austin-based Made In Cookware (Made In), was drawn to the industry from an early age, admiring the restaurants and chefs that made his childhood home in Boston so memorable. In 2017, Malt teamed up with his longtime best friend, Jake Kalick, to combine their expertise in business and hospitality to launch Made In. Chip and Jake’s shared passion for premium cookware led the duo to travel the world going everywhere from rural Tennessee, to the picturesque French countryside in search of the world’s most talented artisans to craft their products. Now, Made In products are relied upon by some of the country’s most notable restaurants, purchased by top-tier chefs, and can be found in Michelin-star restaurants Alinea, Le Bernardin, Osteria Mozza, as well as Fairmont Hotels, Wynn Casinos, and many more.
Diana Anzaldua
Sports, Wellness, and Fitness
Diana Anzaldua is a Texas native, Latina Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Trauma-Resilient Therapist in Austin, Texas. She is also a founder of the 2021 award winning health and wellness center; Austin Trauma Therapy Center & Contigo Wellness. Diana completed her Bachelor’s in Psychology at St. Edward’s University, and Master’s of Science in Social Work at the University of Texas in Austin. Diana was recently awarded 2023 National Social Worker of the Year award from Mental Health America.
Diana Anzaldua, The Founder of Contigo Wellness, is a social change activist and influential leader in mental health equity and reform.
Katelyn Sorensen
Technology
Katelyn Sorensen is the CEO of Planoly, the leading visual social media management platform. Leading a team of dedicated professionals, Katelyn is committed to empowering creators to share their passions and amplify their
presence on social media.
With over 6 years of experience in the social media marketing industry, Katelyn possesses a profound understanding of the needs and challenges faced by Planoly’s diverse clientele. Her strategic approach focuses on delivering user-friendly, data-driven, and scalable solutions, ensuring clients navigate the ever-evolving social media landscape seamlessly.
Beyond her role at Planoly, Katelyn serves as an Operating Executive at ASG and Alpine Investors. As an active member of Out In Tech and Pavilion, she contributes to fostering diversity and innovation within the tech community.
Diego Asenjo
Trailblazer Award
Outside of my professional realm, I am Marketplace Risk Advisor for the local Austin Chapter, a dedicated runner, progressing from casual jogging to completing a sub-3.5-hour marathon within a year. My diverse background, being an Argentinian-American who speaks three languages, brings a unique multicultural perspective to my work. I am building a future in Austin, TX, with my wife and two dogs that balances intense professional focus with personal well-being and mentoring others.
As a leader in the KYB and identity verification field, I actively lead local industry discussions such as Marketplace Risk, sharing my insights and shaping the future of digital interactions. My blend of technical acumen, leadership skills, and commitment to innovation not only cements my position as Mesh’s CEO but also as a significant influencer in the business identity verification landscape.
Manny Gonzalez
Youth and Education
Dr. Manny Gonzalez has the honor of serving in his second term as Austin Community College Trustee for Place 5, currently serving as a board officer as Secretary. Professionally, Dr. Gonzalez is the Director of Regional Operations for Western Governors University (WGU), overseeing strategic initiatives in the South Region. His role involves expanding access to higher education and creating pathways to careers in education, nursing, IT, and business. Dr. Gonzalez previously worked with the Texas Association of Community Colleges, the University of Texas at Austin, the Texas House of Representatives, and the White House Domestic Policy Council. Dr. Gonzalez, with degrees from Trinity University and the University of Texas at Austin, is committed to addressing issues related to college access, student success, and affordability. Engaged in various boards, he dedicates time to community service and family activities, reflecting his passion for education and community well-being.