The third presenting mentor for our 2022 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition is Leigh Sullivan, Development Director for Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary. Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary is a 501c3 dedicated to pulling old & sick dogs out of shelters and rescue organizations, and bringing them to their vet-supervised dog sanctuary where they can live out their good, bad and …
Youth Business Places SECOND in Denver Startup Week Pitch Competition
Denver Start Up Week is a celebration of all things entrepreneurial. It’s the largest free entrepreneurial event of its kind. Hundreds of participants submitted video applications to compete in the week’s annual pitch competition. The DSW planning committee narrowed this down to 18 businesses, then the community voted on the top 6 businesses to pitch at the final event. Thus, …
Meet a Mentor: Mark Cordova, President, Centennial Bolt, Inc.
The second of our three distinguished mentors hosting a youth entrepreneur in the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition is Mark Cordova, President of Centennial Bolt, Inc. In 1979, after graduating from the University of San Diego with a Bachelor of Administration, Mark moved to Denver and founded Centennial Bolt, Inc. - a fastener distribution business which grew to become one ...
Meet a Mentor: Randy Wells, Former Managing Director, RBC Capital
Each year, the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition pairs three Denver-area business leaders with three up-and-coming youth entrepreneurs. Young Americans Center for Financial Education is pleased to introduce the first of our presenting mentors for the 2022 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition: Randy Wells, former Managing Director of RBC Capital Markets’ Communications, Media, and Entertainment Group. One lucky winner …
What do youth documentaries, Colorado rivers and homeless pets all have in common? These causes were all supported by Young AmeriTowne students as they learned about philanthropy and giving back to their community. Schlessman Family Foundation Philanthropy Check Presentation Each year, the Center’s Youth Advisory Board selects a total of 12 nonprofit organizations for students to learn about. During  their ...
In 2022, the Xcel Energy Foundation revised its grant program to bolster their community impact, better align with the company’s business priorities, and reflect their diversity, equity and inclusion commitments. The new program, Energizing the Future, strategically targets their foundation giving within three focus areas: STEM Career Pathways, Environmental Sustainability and Community Vitality. To further demonstrate Xcel Energy’s commitment to …
Since its inception, the Janus Henderson Foundation has contributed $45 million to thousands of nonprofits and Young Americans Center for Financial Education is thrilled to be one of them! As they help people to reach their goals with their investment products, Janus Henderson also invests in their community. With a mission to help youth achieve their full potential through access …
On Friday, May 20th, YouthBiz hosted the finale of our StartUp program for the students of Aspen Crossing Elementary School. The event took place at MSU Denver’s Science building as a culminating field trip for participating students.  One hundred fifth grade students participated, all hoping to impress local business leaders with their business pitches and prototypes. Over ten days, the …
Anna Brekken, owner of AnnaMade Design Co., was not only a finalist in the 2021 Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars business competition, she also runs her own Etsy shop, is a regular vendor at YouthBiz Marketplaces and craft fairs, and – fun fact – she plays the organ(!). Anna has always enjoyed arts and crafts, so when her grandmother taught her …
With 56,000 volunteers around the globe donating 383,000 hours to nonprofits, we know that the Denver area employees of JPMorgan Chase & Co. are certainly contributing to these incredible numbers of engagement. JPMorgan Chase & Co. has been a community partner of the Young Americans Center for Financial Education for 15 years. They are a strong supporter both in philanthropic …
