OCTOBER 8
ST. PAUL
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CELEBRATING
THOSE WHO
DO THE MOST GOOD
October 8th
4pm - 7pm
The Coven St. Paul
It’s our third year celebrating those who Do the Most Good in our communities. This year, we’re focusing the energy into one powerful evening. The Radical Leadership Awards will feature an inspiring keynote, a fireside chat, and space for connection.
We’ll honor standout nominees and announce six exceptional winners, each receiving our highest cash award yet.
LEARN MORE
THE 2025 NOMINATION PERIOD HAS CLOSED.
RADICAL LEADERSHIP AWARDS
They’re committed, inspiring, and doing radical work for positive change. On October 8th, we’ll celebrate the activists, social justice leaders, pioneers, founders co-founders, and All-Around Radically Good People™ nominated in these categories:
EMERGING FOUNDER
For the incredible founder of a small business or startup operating for less than three years.
CO-FOUNDER COLLAB
For the groundbreaking co-founders melding two or more brilliant minds together.
COMMUNITY ADVOCATE
For the activist or social justice leader pushing our community forward.
RADICAL PIONEER
For the seasoned entrepreneur in the community who’s been committed to doing the most good for 3+ years.
ORGANIZATIONAL ADVANCEMENT
For the corporate employee or leader driving innovative, positive change within their organization.
&
Radical Leader of The Year
Our version of "Best Picture"; a person doing incredible work in multiple spaces.
MEET THE VOICES
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Nancy Lyons
(she/her)
EMCEE & JUDGE
Founder/Author/Speaker/Disruptor -
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Shawn Judge
(she/her)
JUDGE
CEO of The Speaker’s Edge
Public Speaking, Media Relations, Voice & Dictation Coach -
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Tracy Fischman
(she/her)
JUDGE
Consultant for Social Justice Movers & Organizations | Fischman Consulting, LLC -
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Comfort Dondo
(she/her)
JUDGE
Founder of Phumulani: Minnesota African Women Against Violence
*2024 Community Advocate Award Winner -
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Katie Mattis Sarver
(she/her)
JUDGE
Business Development & Innovation Consultant
Katie Mattis Sarver Consulting -
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Liliana Maria Percy Ruiz
(she/her/ella)
PANEL MODERATOR
Executive Producer, Leadership Coach, Organizational Development & Culture Building Facilitator -
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Lea B. Olsen
(she/her)
PANEL SPEAKER
Speaker/Broadcaster, Founder Rethink the Win, Bell Bank Board of Directors -
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Aneela Idnani
(she/her)
PANEL SPEAKER
Co-founder of HabitAware
Author, TEDx & Keynote Speaker -
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Jenna Ray
(she/her)
PANEL SPEAKER
Executive Director and CEO of GiveMN
Chief Generosity Officer
The 2025
NOMINEES
CO-FOUNDER COLLAB
Devin Hicks & Ebone Smith
WEMN Global
Rae Rowe & Lynn Nguyen
The Paper Lantern Project
EMERGING FOUNDER
Jhaelynn Elam
The B Suite
Johnny Allen Jr.
The JK Movement
Kellie Peterson
Afterclass LLC
Megan Upperman
SCRATCH Consulting for Growth
Organizational Advancement
Cynthia Munguia
Minnesota Recovery Connection
Maya Johnson
All Square
Meghan Kober
U.S. Bank
Nancy Korsah
Black Business Enterprises
Dr. Salma Hussein
Gideon Pond Elementary School
Wendy Jones
Minnesota Alliance of Recovery Community Organizations
Community Advocate
Alicia Glover
Creativa Demi LLC
Andrea Sanow
Propel Non-Profits/Twin Cities Fat Community
Arshia Hussain
Reviving Sisterhood
Courtney Kirkeeng
CK Community Strategies
Joan James
A Backyard Farm
John Williams
NACDI - Native American Community Development Institute
Lani Basa
The Business Women's Circle & The Circle Community
Lauren James
Project Scientist
Malika Dahir
Reviving The Islamic Sisterhood
Michael Cheney
Project Sweetie Pie
Nautica Flowers
Astro Angel
Sarah Michelle Abdon
Mental Health Community Advocate
Shanene Herbert
Black Brilliance Inc./Soul Yearning
Shasa Sartin
Devotion Recovery
Sheletta Brundidge
Sheletta Makes Me Laugh
Sonya (Nayar) Bieza
Aliveness
ThaoMee Xiong
Coalition of Asian American Leaders
RADICAL PIONEER
Danielle Graczyk
Canine Inspired Change
Deeva Rose
The Rose Academy of Burlesque
Y. Elaine Rasmussen
ConnectUP! Institute
Elizabeth Orme
Creatively Focused
Emily Carlson
Project Rolodex
Holly Kragthorpe-Shirley
Sidekick for Good
Janice LaFloe
Montessori American Indian Childcare Center
Jennifer Aspengren
Alongside Network
Keith Baker
ReConnect Rondo
LaShante Grigsby
Flava Coffee & Café
Patricia Fitzgerald
Hennepin County Housing and Economic Development
Shanasha Whitson
Community Partnership Collab 2.0
Sonya Perez Lauterbach
Sonya Perez
Tascha Just
SEL Academy, LLC
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4:00pmWELCOME & HAPPY HOURDoors open! Happy Hour powered by our friends at Chowgirls. Hear from our emcee, Nancy Lyons, as she kicks off the event with some recognitions and warm welcomes.
Thank you,
! -
4:30pmAward Presentations:
Co-Founder Collab✦ Honoring two or more co-founders doing remarkable work in the community.
Emerging Founder✦ Celebrating a small business or start-up founder doing incredible work who has been in business for three years or less. -
5:00pmPanel Discussion:
Forging A New Path Forward With The Power You Have WithinMODERATED BY:
Liliana Maria Percy Ruiz
Executive Producer
SPEAKERS:
Aneela Idnani
Co-founder of HabitAware
Jenna Ray
Chief Generosity Officer at GiveMN
Lea B. Olsen
Speaker/Broadcaster & Founder Rethink the Win
In times of disruption and reinvention, it’s easy to look outward for answers. But real change begins when we harness the power we already carry. This dynamic panel brings together visionary leaders who have broken barriers, defied expectations, and redefined what’s possible. They did not wait for permission but trusted their instincts and acted with purpose.
Through honest conversation, these changemakers will share how they’ve activated their inner power to create impact – in boardrooms, communities, and movements. -
5:30pmAward Presentations:
Organizational Advancement✦ Honoring a corporate employee or leader pushing their company or organization toward change.
Community Advocate✦ Celebrating an activist or social justice leader in the community.Radical Pioneer✦ Honors a seasoned entrepreneur in the community who is committed to doing the most good in their community for more than three years. -
5:45pmAward Presentation:
Radical Leader of The Year✦ Our version of “Best Picture,” a person doing radiant work in multiple spaces. -
6:00pm - 7:00pmHappy Hour & Connections:
The Afterglow
Cheers to the Radical Leaders of tomorrow. Stick around for an hour of connection, celebration, and community magic.
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EVENT SCHEDULE
Wednesday, October 8th | 4pm - 7pm
The Coven St. Paul | 165 Western Ave. N - Suite 8, St. Paul, MN
POWERED BY OUR SPONSORS AND PARTNERS
A heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and partners for making the Radical Leadership Awards possible.