Austin Under 40 Awards

In 1998, as a board member of the Young Women's Alliance, Kerri Qunell played a key role in launching the very first Austin Under 40 Awards. Fast forward to 2006, Kerri herself became a winner in the "Community Service & Non-Profit" category. Today, Kerri continues to make an impact as the Director of Marketing and Communications at The Texas Tribune. She's still at the helm of major events, including their flagship Texas Tribune Festival. This year’s festival is set for September 5-7 in downtown Austin. Still need tickets? Save $30 with discount code: KQunellTTF24

Congratulations to our Austinite of the Year, Denise D. Hernández! Learn more about Denise and her impact on our community. Denise Hernández is a community organizer and the Presiding Judge of County Court at Law #6 in Travis County, Texas. She also leads the Transformative Youth Justice program, a youth diversion program focused on holistic community-centered support for young people impacted by the justice system. Judge Hernández is committed to equity, mentorship, and community-building initiatives. She currently serves on the board of The Contemporary, Creative Action, The New Philanthropists, and the Rebel Fund. Judge Hernández has been recognized locally and nationally for her community work. She was honored as an Anne McAfee Leader of Cultural Change, recognized as a Racial Justice Champion, and named the “People’s Judge” by Austin Woman Magazine. Driven by her lived experience and humble beginnings, Judge Hernández continues to dedicate herself to increasing fair access in the courtroom, mentorship, and implementing collective care and healing-focused approaches in the justice system.

Congratulations to our 2024 Mentor of the Year, Angela Valenzuela! The Mentor of the Year award recognizes a community leader over the age of 40 who has dedicated their time to opening doors, guiding, and mentoring emerging young leaders. Learn more about the impact Dr. Valenzuela is having on our community: Angela Valenzuela, Ph.D., is a Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership & Policy at the University of Texas at Austin, where she directs the Texas Center for Education Policy. She completed her Ph.D. in Sociology at Stanford University and is the author of the award-winning book, Subtractive Schooling: U.S.-Mexican Youth and the Politics of Caring (1999). She also founded a blog titled, Educational Equity, Politics, and Policy in Texas. Dr. Valenzuela is co-chair of the National LULAC Higher Education Committee and co-founder of Academia Cuauhtli, a partnership-based, community-anchored Saturday school serving elementary school children with district-wide Impacts in AISD. She co-founded Black Brown Dialogues on Policy to encourage coalition building and solidarity across diverse alliances. She is highly published & regarded as among the top 200 scholars in education nationally by the 2024 Edu-Scholar Public Influence Rankings by the American Enterprise Institute.

Congratulations to our 2024 Austin Under 40 winners! Medicine and Healthcare: Ami Shah Vira Nonprofit Service: Chelsea Elliott People and Operations: Billy Moyer Real Estate: Sergio Negrete Retail, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain: Chip Malt Sports, Wellness, and Fitness: Diana Anzaldúa Technology: Katelyn MacKay (Sorensen) Youth and Education: Manny Gonzalez, Ph.D. Trailblazer: Diego Asenjo

Congratulations to our 2024 Austin Under 40 winners! Architecture, Engineering, and Construction: Andrea LaCour Arts, Entertainment, and Social Media: Stephanie Bergara Capital, Financial, and Insurance Services: Kelly Outlaw Civics, Government, and Public Affairs: Lily Trieu Energy, Sustainability, and Transportation: Matthew Iommi Food, Events, and Hospitality: Jane Ko Journalism, Marketing, and Public Relations: Nico Ramsey Legal: Denise D. Hernández

Get to know this year's Austinite of the Year, plus several other influential professionals on the local business and philanthropic scene.

Meet the team behind the 25th Annual Austin Under 40 Awards! This year, the AU40 Committee is being led by Co-Chairs Chuck Swartz and Patrick Weightman. These individuals, along with the subcommittee chairs and committee members, have dedicated countless hours to ensure the success of this year's event. Travis Reiter | Nominations & Judging Chair Ray Henry | Event Management Chair Nathan P. Martinez | Marketing & Communications Chair  Forrest Justice | Sponsorships Chair

Spent time this morning with some of the Austin Under 40 Awards finalists. These awards celebrate and honor emerging professionals who are making an impact in our community. These folks have a lot of passion for Austin, and it was neat to hear about what they hope for in our shared future.

The Austin Under 40 Awards would not be possible without the support of our incredible community partners. We thank you all for partnering with us for the historic 25th annual event, helping us further the mission of the Austin Sunshine Camps, and celebrating the incredible finalists. Gold Sponsors: H-E-B | Texas Mutual Insurance Company | REAP Financial Industry Sponsors: Gulf Coast Business Credit | HID | KDS de stijl interiors, LLC | KPMG | Marsh McLennan Agency