2024 COLORADO GOVERNOR’S CITIZENSHIP MEDAL RECIPIENTS ANNOUNCED IN PARTNERSHIP WITH CIVICO
Annual award honors exceptional Colorado leaders
DENVER — Governor Jared Polis, in partnership with CiviCO, is proud to announce the recipients of the 2024 Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medals. CiviCO is a nonprofit that empowers established and aspiring leaders to ignite and unite cultures of leadership for a better Colorado. This award recognizes individuals and organizations who demonstrate excellence in leadership and are committed to creating a positive impact in their communities. The five recipients will be celebrated at a special ceremony on January 23, 2025, marking a key event during Colorado Leadership Month.
The 2024 recipients and medal categories:
Ed Dwight — Aerospace Pioneer and Renowned Sculptor — Vanguard Legacy Medal
Vinay Nair — CEO & Founder of TIFIN and Fintech Innovator — Growth and Innovation Medal
Katy Anthes — Education Leader — Public and Community Service Medal
Rayan Elfahan — Aspiring Medical Professional and Community Advocate — Emerging Community Leader Medal
United Launch Alliance, Tory Bruno, President and CEO — Innovators and Community Builders in Aerospace — Corporate Citizenship Medal
The Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medals, established in 2015 and inspired by the Presidential Medal of Freedom, recognize each recipient’s significant contributions to communities across Colorado. Nominating partners cultivate a list of community leaders, which is presented to the Governor for his final selection process.
“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,” said Governor Jared Polis. “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.”
Vanguard Legacy Medal — Ed Dwight — Aerospace Pioneer and Renowned Sculptor
Honoring a community leader who has made transformational contributions to the community throughout their career.
Ed Dwight is a trailblazer in art and aerospace who has left a lasting mark on Colorado and beyond. Invited by President Kennedy in 1961 to become the first African American astronaut, Dwight narrowly missed selection but later found his calling as a sculptor, creating powerful works that celebrate Black history, including the Martin Luther King Jr. monument in Denver’s City Park. In 2024, at the age of 90, he finally achieved his astronautical dream by rocketing into orbit with Blue Origin.
Dwight’s work in sculpture and space exploration reflects his lifelong commitment to breaking barriers and inspiring others. As an artist, he has created a legacy of public art that honors civil rights and historical figures, making significant contributions to the cultural landscape. His recent space flight adds a remarkable chapter to his story, embodying perseverance and the pursuit of dreams at any age.
Emerging Community Leader Medal — Rayan Elfahan — Aspiring Medical Professional and Community Advocate
Recognizing a young community leader who has demonstrated excellence and made a significant impact on their school and community.
Rayan Elfahan is an inspirational leader and recent graduate of DSST Montview, currently in her first year at Stanford University. With a vision to contribute to the reconstruction of Sudan’s healthcare system and enhance diversity in American medicine, Rayan has been a trailblazer in her community. Selected for the Medical Career Collaborative (MC2) during her sophomore year at DSST Montview, Rayan was the only Black and Muslim student in her department, an experience that motivated her to found the Healing Hands Collective at her school. This initiative hosted bi-weekly meetings and organized field trips, creating a supportive space for students interested in healthcare.
Rayan’s leadership has been recognized with prestigious awards from organizations such as the Daniels Fund, Leadership Enterprise for a Diverse America (LEDA), Access Opportunity, and the Jack Kent Cooke Foundation. Rayan’s 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 — CEO & Founder of TIFIN and Fintech Innovator
Honoring an entrepreneur’s exceptional ingenuity and statewide inspiration.
Dr. Vinay Nair has revolutionized the fintech landscape through his leadership as the founder of TIFIN, a platform that merges technology and finance to deliver personalized financial solutions. With a background that includes a PhD in finance and economics from New York University and experience as a finance professor at The Wharton School, Nair combines academic rigor with practical industry insights. Under his guidance, TIFIN has pioneered innovative approaches to wealth management, utilizing AI and machine learning to transform how individuals interact with financial services.
Nair’s commitment to inclusive innovation extends beyond his business ventures, as he mentors and advocates for diversity in the fintech industry. His dedication to fostering creativity and growth has not only positioned TIFIN as a leader in its field but also influenced the broader financial landscape in Colorado and beyond. Nair’s vision exemplifies how entrepreneurship can drive meaningful change and create new possibilities in the financial sector.
Public and Community Service Medal — Katy Anthes — Education Leader
Honoring a government or community leader who serves the public through innovation, operational excellence and progressive vision.
Dr. Katy Anthes served as Colorado’s Commissioner of Education from 2016 to 2023, where she led the state’s K-12 system through significant reforms and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known for her inclusive leadership, Anthes navigated the complexities of a politically diverse state board, positioning the Colorado Department of Education as a supportive partner to school districts. Her efforts during the pandemic ensured stability and continued access to education across the state.
After stepping down, Anthes chose to focus on bridging partisan divides in education, working with the Public Education and Business Coalition to train school board officials in constructive collaboration. Her dedication to fostering dialogue and consensus 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.
2023 Corporate Citizenship Medal — United Launch Alliance, Tory Bruno, President and CEO — Innovators and Community Builders in Aerospace
Recognizing a Colorado-based company that has made a significant positive impact in the community through its culture, vision and execution.
Under the leadership of President and CEO Tory Bruno, United Launch Alliance (ULA) drives technological advancements in aerospace while investing deeply in community engagement and education. Headquartered in Denver, ULA’s mission is to save lives, explore the universe, and connect the world, with a vision to harness the potential of space for the benefit of humanity. 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.
Through their annual Celebration of Giving, ULA employees volunteer their time and expertise to inspire young minds with STEM-focused activities. By engaging in hands-on projects, ULA’s outreach leaves a lasting impact, encouraging children to develop STEM skills that will drive future innovation. ULA’s community contributions include donating more than $100,000 annually to Mile High United Way, supporting local organizations, and participating in Back to School supply events and holiday meal collections for Denver-area families.
ULA is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace, exemplified by their pledge to The Space Workforce 2030, aimed at increasing the representation of women and underrepresented groups in aerospace careers and leadership. ULA’s dedication to inclusivity was recognized with the 2023 Equality 100 Award, achieving a perfect score for LGBTQ+ inclusion.
“The 2024 Colorado Governor’s Citizenship Medal recipients embody the spirit of service, demonstrating the power of individuals to drive meaningful change,” said D.J. Whetter, CEO of CiviCO. “As we partner with Governor Polis, we are not just celebrating their remarkable contributions to Colorado, but also shining a light on the hidden leaders whose impact inspires others to make a difference in our state.”
This year’s medal recipients will be honored at a ceremony held at the History Colorado Center on January 23, 2025. Ticket and sponsorship opportunities are limited. Please visit https://www.theeventcgcm.org/ for more information.
ABOUT CiviCO
CiviCO is a nonprofit that empowers established and aspiring leaders to ignite and unite cultures of leadership for a better Colorado. CiviCO believes that with the right support, anyone can lead, which is why they provide a collaborative space for those passionate about growing a more impactful business, serving their community, and creating meaningful change. To learn more about CiviCO, visit livecivico.org.