ARVADA, Co, April 16, 2024 – The Arvada Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce the 2023 Young Professional Leadership and Rising Star Awards. Recipients of these awards will be honored at the May 9, 2024, Arvada Chamber of Commerce 73rd Annual Awards Luncheon from 11:30-1:00 pm at Arvada Center Event Spaces.
The Young Professional Leadership Award recognizes an Arvada young professional under the age of 40 whose leadership and dedication has impacted the world around them. The Arvada Chamber is proud to recognize Ashley Palacios and Stephanie Paul with the Young Professional Leadership Award.
Ashley Palacios has served Hope House Colorado for more than nine years, with two of those spent in her role as director of operations. Ashley has decreased turnover rate during her tenure as director of operations. Ashley has also implemented a security system, installing a Raptor check-in system, and creating security protocols and drills. She led the organization through an update of the financial handbook, improving processes and systems and leading Hope House to its first-ever 100% clean audit, free of any recommendations from the auditor. Currently, Ashley is leading the organization through the change management process for opening and running its new Early Learning Center, including choosing the best consultancy fit and working directly with consultants, staff and board to ensure integration of ELC staff, budget and policies. In addition to her work at Hope House, Ashely has volunteered with Whiz Kids for 12 years, tutoring at-risk elementary school children weekly.
Stephanie Paul has revolutionized Olde Town Arvada’s marketing landscape as the Director of Marketing and Events for the Business Improvement District. Within just her first two years, she has doubled Olde Town’s social media following, bringing new life into the BID’s and Olde Town businesses’ digital presence. Additionally, her visionary leadership transformed the Olde Town Arvada Second Saturday summer concert series into profitable events, with attendance doubling since her tenure began. Stephanie’s dynamic leadership style drives a positive change within the Olde Town Arvada community.
The Rising Star Award recognizes High School students who live or attend school in Arvada who have exemplified extraordinary skills in entrepreneurship, innovation, community impact and leadership. A $500 scholarship will be awarded to the winning recipient to be applied toward education or an entrepreneurial endeavor. The 2023 Rising Star Award goes to Terenn Tracy.
Terenn Tracy is described by her advisors as an all-around stellar human being. She embodies the spirit of leadership through kindness, integrity, commitment, awareness, respect and empathy. As an intern with Outdoor Lab, she has shown to be intelligent, level-headed and above all else, she leads with understanding. At Windy Peak, she found the curriculum around Native Americans was lacking, and she kindly offered to adapt it in an authentic and meaningful way. Her heart is centered around changing the life of each student that comes to Windy Peak. She focuses on the change in these students throughout the course of their time here.
In addition to Outdoor Lab, Terenn is involved in the Jeffco Indigenous Student Council, Native American Student Alliance, Health Occupations Students of America, Family, Career, and Community Leaders of America and Arvada West High School Tennis.
The above award winners are selected by a committee of former Young Professional Leadership Award winners. The 2023 Man and Woman of the Year, Pioneer Award, and Image Award winners were previously announced here. The Pioneer Award and Man and Woman of the Year will be honored with a video of their accomplishments at the Awards Luncheon. Videos and more information about the wonderful work done by each of the recipients will be released after the event.
For more information on attending the awards luncheon, please call 303-424-0313 or visit www.arvadachamber.org/AwardsLuncheon.
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