Gov. Jared Polis and nonprofit CiviCO honored recipients of the Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medals at a ceremony Thursday. 

The medals have gone to various leaders, organizations, nonprofits and businesses working to improve the state since 2015, according to a news release from the governor’s office.

This year, medals will go to five leaders from a variety of fields, including aerospace, education, healthcare and community advocacy. The winners are as follows, according to the newsrelease:

The Vanguard Legacy Medal – Ed Dwight

Given to a “community leader who has made transformational contributions to the community throughout their career.”

Dwight is a “trailblazer in art and aerospace.” He was invited by President Kennedy in 1961 to become the first African American astronaut and missed selection, but later became a sculptor whose work celebrates Black history. He is the creator of the Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Civic Center Park and, last year, took a space flight with Blue Origin at the age of 90.

The Emerging Community Leader Medal – Rayan Elhanan

Given to a “young community leader who has demonstrated excellence and made a significant impact on their school and community.”

Elhanan, a recent graduate of DSST Montview in her first year at Stanford University, founded the Healing Hands Collective at her school, was selected for the Medical Career Collaborative during her sophomore year of high school, and has a vision to contribute to the reconstruction of Sudan’s healthcare system and enhance diversity in American medicine.

Her “commitment to creating inclusive spaces and advocating for representation in medicine sets her apart as a leader who not only envisions change but actively works to make it a reality.”

Growth and Innovation Medal – Vinay Nair

Honors “an entrepreneur’s exceptional ingenuity and statewide inspiration.”

Nair, the founder of technology and finance platform TIFIN, has helped create innovative approaches to wealth management using AI and machine learning to change how people interact with finance services. 

His work “exemplifies how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful change and create new possibility in the financial sector.”

Public and Community Service Medal – Katy Anthes

Honors a “government or community leader who serves the public through innovation, operational excellence and progressive vision.”

Anthes, Colorado’s commissioner of education from 2016 to 2023, led the state’s K-12 system through “significant reforms” and the COVID-19 pandemic. Now she focuses on bridging partisan divides in education with the Public Education and Business Coalition. 

Her work has made a “lasting impact on Colorado’s educational landscape, exemplifying how leadership and a commitment to unity can drive meaningful change in public education.”

Corporate Citizenship Medal – Tory Bruno and United Launch Alliance

Goes to “a Colorado-based company that has made a significant positive impact in the community through its culture, vision and execution.”

United Launch Alliance, led by President and CEO Tory Bruno, drives technological advancements in aerospace while investing in community engagement and education. 

“ULA embodies values of inclusivity, innovation, and ethical responsibility, creating a diverse and forward-thinking workforce that strives to explore further into space for future generations.”

More information about each winner can be found on their respective websites and the Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medal website.

“Each year, it is an honor to present the Governor’s Citizenship Medals and recognize the remarkable individuals, organizations, nonprofits, and businesses dedicated to making Colorado an even better place to live for everyone,” Polis said. “This year’s five recipients have made indelible contributions to our state and demonstrated the importance of leadership. On behalf of all Coloradans, I express my appreciation to these honorees for their impact in our communities.”