Business accelerator DivInc and its partners on March 3 celebrated Austin leaders who help advance conversations and take actions throughout the community that make the city a more inclusive place.
One of the biggest issues facing the technology sector, along with the rest of the nation, is creating a more equitable landscape for populations that have traditionally been underserved. And that doesn't just happen. It takes strong teams of community leaders, collaboration and buy-in from small businesses and big industries.
That's where this annual awards gala and fundraiser comes in. In front of an energetic crowd, several locals shared the spotlight.
Here are DivInc's Champions of Change nominees for 2022, and the winners are noted in bold:
Executive of the Year
- Dan Graham, partner, Notley
- Matt Stephenson, CEO, Code2College
- Muna Hussaini, co-founder, Recode the Quo
- Pamela Benson Owens, executive director, Six Square
- Steve Sachs, co-founder, Recode the Quo
DEI Leader of the Year
- Agatha Agbanobi, founder and DEI strategist, Optimal Leadership
- BiNi Coleman, co-founder, African American Leadership Institute
- Gloria Gonzales Dholakia, executive director, Jolt Action
- Heather Venard, director of social impact and sustainability, Bumble
- Mando Rayo, founder, The New Philanthropists
Student of the Year
- Anthony Collier, chair of National Black Law Students Association
- Jalesha Bass, co-founder, Shift Press
- Jeffrey Clemmons, Huston-Tillotson
- Katya Ehresman, assistant director of youth programs, The Civics Center
- Liz Kufour, Texas organizing coordinator, Young Invincibles
- Tegan Debrock, chair, Homeless Coalition of Hays County
Champion of the Year
- Denise Hernandez, deputy director of diversity, equity and inclusion, Travis County Attorney's Office
- Dr. Jereka Thomas-Hockaday, co-founder, Central Texas Allied Health Institute
- Mando Rayo, founder, The New Philanthropists
- Monica Maldonado, founder, MAS Cultura
- Terry Mitchell, founder, Black Leaders Collective
Investor of the Year
- Albert Swantner, general partner, The Fund
- Anita Roberts, CEO, Silicon Hills Capital
- Ethan Monreal-Jackson, founder, Agave Fund
- Harold Hughes, CEO, BandWagon
- Nait Jones, partner, A16Z
Rising Star of the Year
- Antony Jackson Sr., founder, We Can Now
- Ashley Cheng, co-founder, Asian Texans for Justice
- Christina Bryant, senior program coordinator, University of Texas
- Monica Maldonado, founder, MAS Cultura
- Rocio Villalobos, equity and inclusion program manager, City of Austin Equity Office
Nonprofit Leader
- BiNi Coleman, co-founder, African American Leadership Institute
- Courtney Santana, founder, Survive2Thrive Foundation
- Jereka Thomas-Hockaday, co-founder, Central Texas Allied Health Institute
- Ebonie Trice, executive director, Mission Accomplished
- Jane Hervey, executive director, Future Front Texas
Startup Leader of the Year
- Abigail Coleman, co-founder, Amass
- Daron Roberts, co-founder, Amass
- Harold Hughes, CEO, BandWagon
- Jeff Jenkins, founder, Chubby Diaries
- Katrina Tolentino, executive director, Naturally Austin
- Lauren Washington, co-founder, Fundr
In past years, the Champions of Change Awards have highlighted local leaders including SXSW's Hugh Forrest, T3 founder and author Gay Gaddis and Austin Independent School District Equity Officer Stephanie Hawley as nominees.
Last year, Farah Muscadin won the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Leader of the Year Award; Chaka x Qi Dada and Riders Against the Storm took home the Champions of the Year award; Mical J. Devine won the Student of the Year award; Meme Styles and Lolita Taub won the Investor of the Year awards; Nicole Taylor took home the Peoples' Choice award; Derrick Chubbs landed the Executive of the Year award; and Madison Butler won the Rising Star of the Year award.
For this year's event, DivInc secured support from Honorary Chairman Chris Hyams, who is CEO of Indeed.com, as well as community partners including Ideal Productions, Fluff Meringues, Dulce Vida, Still Austin Whiskey Co, Austin Beerworks and Narwhal Media Group.
