Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars Mentors

Young Americans Center is honored to have the support of many esteemed leaders of the business community who recognize and encourage the next generation of business owners in Colorado through the Spotlight on YouthBiz Stars event.

2023 Mentors

Veena Dandapani

Chief Client Services Officer
Pagaya Technologies

Mike Katz

Market President
KeyBank in Colorado

Richard H. Linton, Jr.

President and Chief Operating Officer
Empower

Former Mentors

Young Americans Center is grateful for the commitment and support of these Colorado business leaders who have mentored YouthBiz Stars over the years.  Titles and places of work relate to positions at the time of mentorship.

2022

Mark Cordova, Founder/President, Centennial Bolt

Leigh Sullivan, Development Director, Pepper’s Senior Dog Sanctuary

Randy Wells, Former Managing Director, RBC Capital Markets

2021

Jandel Allen Davis

Jandel Allen-Davis, President and CEO, Craig Hospital

Bennis headshot

Jeff Bennis, Vice President, Rifkin and Associates

Jim Reuter Headshot

Jim Reuter, CEO, FirstBank

2020

Jena Hausman Headshot

Jena Hausmann, President and CEO, Children’s Hospital Colorado

Bob and Judi Newman Headshots

Bob and Judi Newman, Newman Family Foundation

Raju Patel Headshot

Raju Patel, Denver Market Leader, Bank of America

2019

Beiser Headshot

Ryan Beiser, Regional President and Head of Corporate Banking, PNC Bank

Alice Jackson Headshot

Alice Jackson, President, Xcel Energy Colorado

Leroy Williams Headshot

Leroy Williams, Former CIO, Ball Corporation

2018

Margaret Kelly Headshot with Glasses

Margaret Kelly, Former CEO, RE/MAX

Bahman Shafa Headshot

Bahman Shafa, President, Focus Property Group

Scott Wylie Headshot

Scott Wylie, Chairman and CEO, First Western

2017

  • Michael Barkin, Chief Financial Officer, Vail Resorts
  • Matthew Burkett, Chairman and CEO, The Flyfisher Group
  • Traci Lounsbury Principal and Owner, Workplace ELEMENTS

2016

  • Reggie Rivers, Former Bronco & President, Corporate Kick-off
  • Heidi Ganahl, Founder, Camp Bow Wow, CU Board of Regents
  • Jeff Ingrum, President, ISPN Networks & Skate City

2015

  • Maureen Tarrant, CEO and President, Presbyterian St. Luke’s Hospital
  • Jeremy Ostermiller, Founder and CEO, Altitude Digital
  • Chuck Morris, President and CEO, AEG Live Rocky Mountains

2014

  • Sara Bencomo, Co-Founder, Happy Cakes Bake Shop
  • Justin Gold, Founder, Justin’s Nut Butter
  • Saul Garlick, Founder, ThinkImpact

2013

  • Colleen Abdoulah, CEO, Wide Open West Internet, Cable and Phone
  • Chad McWhinney, CEO and Co-Founder, McWhinney
  • Kristy Taddonio Mullins, President and Co-Owner, Mile Hi Specialty Foods

2012

  • Kent Thiry, CEO, DaVita
  • Curt Richardson, CEO & President, OtterBox
  • Nancy Phillips, CEO/Co-Founder, ViaWest

2011

  • Patrick Quinlan, CEO, Rivet Software
  • Linda Enstrom, Enstrom Candy
  • Linda Childears, President and CEO, Daniels Fund

2010

  • Katherine Ott, CEO and Founder, SlimGenics Weight Loss Centers
  • Mimi Roberson, President & CEO, Presbyterian/St. Luke’s Medical Center and The Rocky Mountain Hospital for Children
  • John Ikard, President & CEO, FirstBank Holding Company of Colorado
  • Stephanie Comfort, Executive Vice President Corporate Strategy, Qwest

2009

  • Maria Garcia Berry, CEO, CRL Associates, Inc.
  • Donna Lynne, President, Kaiser Permanente Colorado
  • Jack Pottle, Partner, Viridian Investment Partners
  • Dick Saunders, Founder, Saunders Construction, Inc.

2008

  • Susan Matthews Brown, Founder and Former President, The Boppy Company
  • Francisco Garcia, Founder & President, Garcia Companies
  • Alice Marsh, President and Founder, Marsh & Associates, Real Estate Resource Center
  • Blair Richardson, Managing Partner, Bow River Capital Partners

2007

  • John Hickenlooper, Mayor, City of Denver
  • Richard Lewis, President and CEO, RTL Networks, Inc.
  • Scott Reiman, President, Hexagon Investments
  • Judi Wagner, President and CEO, Wagner Investment Management, Inc.

2006

  • Bruce Benson, Owner and President, Benson Mineral Group, Inc.
  • Cathey Finlon, Chairman & CEO, McClain Finlon Advertising
  • John Malone, Chairman, Liberty Media Corporation/Liberty Global, Inc.
  • Jean Galloway, President, Galloway Group

2005

  • Samuel Addom, Chairman, Frontier Airlines
  • Mary Pat Link, Chairperson of the Board, Interlink Group, Inc.
  • Daniel Ritchie, Chancellor Emeritus, University of Denver
  • Carl Williams, President, Carl M. Williams & Associates

2004

  • Dick & Eddie Robinson, Co-Chief Executive Officers, Robinson Dairy
  • Steven Halstedt, Managing Director, Centennial Ventures
  • LaRae Orullian, President, Guaranty Corporation
  • Charlie Gallagher, Chairman & CEO, Gallagher Enterprises, LLC

2003

  • Bruce Deifek, President & CEO, Integrated Properties
  • Patricia Gabow, CEO & Medical Director, Denver Health
  • Jerry McMorris, Vice Chairman, Colorado Rockies Baseball Club
  • Steve Schuck, Chairman, The Schuck Corporation

2002

  • John Saeman, Founding Partner, Medallion Enterprises, LLC
  • Dick Callahan, Founder, Callahan Associates, International, L.L.C.
  • John Sie, Founder, Chairman & CEO, Starz Encore Group LLC; Founder & Chairman, Encore International
  • Sharon Magness, Founder, Bob and Sharon Magness Foundation