Honoring Leaders Driving Innovation, Impact, and Community Vitality

Following its 120th Anniversary Gala, the Boulder Chamber is pleased to announce the honorees of the 2025 Celebration of Leadership Awards. 

For four decades, the Celebration of Leadership Awards has recognized individuals and organizations that have made significant, lasting contributions to Boulder’s economic strength and quality of life. Award recipients were announced live during the program, each selected for their leadership in addressing the community’s evolving needs—from innovation and entrepreneurship to education, environmental sustainability, and civic engagement. 

“Coinciding with the 120-year anniversary of the Boulder Chamber’s stewardship of Boulder’s economy as the foundation for our healthy and resilient community, this year’s Celebration of Leadership assumed a special aura of significance,” said Boulder Chamber President and CEO John Tayer. “By honoring the leaders of today amidst the cloak of such a milestone anniversary, we pay tribute to the legacy of those who helped build the platform for the achievements of those we honored today. At the same time, this year’s honorees represent the characteristics of innovation, enterprise and community spirit for future generations to follow as we set our compass toward the next 120 years of business success, economic vitality and community strength.”  

This year’s honorees include: 

• Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Colonel (Ret.) Lee Rosen, Think Orbital Inc. – Honored for pioneering advancements in space infrastructure development and contributing to Boulder’s leadership in aerospace innovation. 
• Impact Award: Dr. Rob Anderson, Boulder Valley School District – Recognized for transformative leadership in public education, advancing student outcomes and equity across the district. 
• Innovative Business of the Year Award: Enveda – Celebrated for breakthrough biotech research in plant-based therapeutics, contributing to Boulder’s growing reputation as a hub for life sciences. 
• Rising Star Award: Sristy Agrawal, Mesa Quantum – Acknowledged for early-career achievements in quantum technology and her role in building Boulder’s future-forward tech ecosystem. 
• Virginia Patterson Business Leader of the Year Award: Rick George, University of Colorado Athletics – Honored for guiding CU Athletics through a period of growth and national recognition while strengthening ties between the University of Colorado and the broader business community. 

Finalists for each category included: 

• Entrepreneur of the Year Award: Kendra Prospero, Turning the Corner HR and Kelvin Melgar, Hopelands Coffee LLC
• Impact Award: Roots Music Project, Kari Palazzari of Groundworks Arts Lab, and Lime
• Innovative Business of the Year Award: BioMed Realty and Longpath Technologies
• Rising Star Award: Kriste Peoples, Women's Wilderness and Mackenzie Sehlke, Boulder County Farmers Markets
• Virginia Patterson Business Leader of the Year Award: Josh Silberstein, Social Venture Partners, and Joe Steiskal, Limelight Boulder

In addition to these honors, the Franny Reich Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Stephen Tebo of Tebo Properties. The Franny Reich award, the Boulder Chamber’s highest distinction, recognizes an individual whose long-term contributions have shaped Boulder’s commercial landscape through visionary leadership, community service, and philanthropy. 

Merix Gustin of Plan Ahead Events was named Chamber Champion, an honor given to a Boulder Chamber Ambassador who goes above and beyond in representing the Chamber and supporting its programs. 

David Cohen, CEO of Techstars, received special recognition for his enduring influence on the region’s entrepreneurial landscape and his pivotal role in revitalizing Boulder’s startup ecosystem. 

Celebration of Leadership is presented by FNBO.