About the Awards Tonight’s Program

Celebrating Boulder’s innovators, trailblazers and leaders.

Welcome

John Tayer, President and CEO, Boulder Chamber

Sponsor & Standing Strong Recognition

Scott Firle, Member Relations Director, Boulder Chamber

Scott Sternberg, Executive Director, Boulder Economic Council

Musical Performance

Acoustic Ambush

Award Ceremony Introduction by Presenting Sponsor

Gallagher Ring, Director, Commercial Banking, FNBO

Virginia Patterson

Business Leader of the Year

Danica Powell, Founder | Trestle Strategy

Rising Star Award

Perla Delgado, Ph.D, CEO and Executive Director

I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County

Innovative Business of the Year Award

Rook Capital

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

Lane Hornung

Founder | 8z Real Estate + zavvie

Franny Reich Lifetime Achievement Award

Philip DiStefano, Chancellor

University of Colorado Boulder Impact Award

Conscience Bay Company

Closing Remarks

John Tayer, President and CEO, Boulder Chamber

The Rising Star Award recognizes an up-and-coming individual who has had a significant positive impact on an industry, the local economy and/or the Boulder community. The sky is the limit for this future Boulder leader.

The Virginia Patterson Business Leader of the Year Award is presented to the person who exemplifies determination and commitment to build a strong local economy.

The Innovative Business of the Year Award recognizes a business / organization that demonstrates the innovative spirit, creative problem solving, and pioneering approaches to organizational success and industry growth that exemplifies the character of Boulder’s business community.

The Franny Reich Lifetime Achievement Award recognizes an outstanding individual for their legacy of exemplary business achievement and community impact.

The Impact Award recognizes an individual or local company that has made significant contributions

Entertainment

Acoustic Ambush to advance their industry, environmental stewardship, and/or social sustainability within the Boulder County community.

Entrepreneur of the Year Award recognizes a top achiever who best exemplifies the spirit and mindset of entrepreneurship through vision, leadership and success.

View the list of past honorees at boulderchamber.com/ celebration-of-leadershippast-honorees

Acoustic Ambush, anchored down by Russ Grabski (guitar/vocals), Chris Alaimo (keys), and Jeff Lyons (drums, back-up vocals), resides in Boulder, Colorado and has been fortunate to play in hallowed music halls with well known musicians and dark alleys with homeless harmonica players. Rock, rap, blues, country, freestyle jams, jazz....we are music freaks who love it all. Previously known as Acoustic Ambush, you can find their live performance albums from the Boulder Theater and the Post on Spotify, itunes, and other platforms. Ambush currently plays regularly at the Saint Julien, Trident, and other local venues.

BLENDED IN BOULDER Since 1969

Entrepreneur of the Year Award

LANE HORNUNG • 8Z REAL ESTATE + ZAVVIE!

Mr. Hornung’s entrepreneurial career has been focused on real estate and technology. Lane was a founding executive of ZipRealty in San Francisco, which IPO’ed in 2001. in 2002, Lane returned to Boulder and launched the website COhomefinder.com.

In 2010, Lane founded 8z Real Estate. The 8z family of companies includes 8z Title, 8z Mortgage, and 8s Rentals. 8z was named Colorado’s #1 top workplace for mid-sized companies in 2017. In 2016, Lane founded the software company zavvie. zavvie is a national leader in the emerging space of alternative home buying and selling options. zavvie is backed by Second Century Ventures and Gea Capital.

Mr. Hornung grew up in Arvada. After receiving a Bachelor’s in Engineering from Stanford University, Mr. Hornung served in the US Marine Corps as an officer and aviator. Mr. Hornung returned to Colorado for his MBA from CU Boulder where he studied Entrepreneurism.

Mr. Hornung was named one of Colorado’s Most Admired CEOs in 2019 and the Distinguished Veteran of Boulder County in 2020. Mr. Hornung serves on the Boards of Directors for Greenhouse Scholars and for Salute Colorado, a non-profit he founded to help veterans transition to civilian life.

Be innovative. Be visionary. Be inspiring.

Congratulations to the

2023 Celebration of Leadership honorees

Danica Powell

Founder, Trestle Strategy

Perla Delgado

CEO and Executive Director,

I Have a Dream Foundation of Boulder County

Lane Hornung

Founder, 8z Real Estate + zavvie

Philip DiStefano

Chancellor, University of Colorado Boulder

We proudly partner with the leaders who drive our community forward.

Rook Capital

Innovative Business of the Year Conscious Bay Company Impact Award

Mr. Hornung has been married to his wife Carolyn for 29 years. They raised their children, Savannah, Gage and Melissa, in Boulder.

Rising Star Award

PERLA DELGADO, PH.D • I HAVE A DREAM FOUNDATION BOULDER COUNTY

Dr. Delgado is the daughter of Eduardo “Lalo” and Christina Delgado, small business owners who opened the first storefront – over 30 years ago- that catered to Latinx/o/a immigrants in Boulder. She is the younger sister of Mireya Sosa, one of the pioneers of coed Latina/x/o adult soccer leagues in Boulder, and the proud older sister of Betty Delgado, a middle school counselor -who on a daily basis commits her soul, love and expertise to our education systems. Dr. Delgado is an immigrant, a firstgeneration college graduate, and proud member of the 1% of Latinas who have a Ph.D.