Nominate a Business Professional Today!
We can’t honor the special women in our community without your help! Please take some time to nominate a professional you think deserves to be recognized using the forms below.
Hurry! Deadline to nominate is Friday, June 27th, 2025


Please gather all materials before submission, and for one category only
*Attendance is required for winners*
Business Leader of the Year
Each year the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce recognizes a remarkable individual who exemplifies the qualities of outstanding leadership, exceptional business acumen and selfless service to the community. Businesses and individuals are invited to submit nominations no later than June 27, 2025.
Criteria
The Accolades nomination process is designed to recognize individuals that go above and beyond in their contributions to business, leadership, and community impact. Nominees should not only meet the outlined criteria but strive to demonstrate excellence beyond their daily responsibilities. Each nomination should clearly articulate how the individual excels in the listed categories, providing tangible examples of leadership, innovation, and service. They don’t have to meet each criteria, but the more they have the more strong the nomination. To ensure fairness, nominees are not automatically finalists; rather, a select group will be chosen based on merit, with up to nine finalists for Business Leader of the Year. To enhance the submission process, we encourage the use of a concise, well-structured narrative within character limits, ensuring clarity and impact.
Eligibility
- Nominees may be owners, consultants, or employees in a corporation, business, government or non-profit organization with a business orientation.
- Membership is not required. Nominees need not be a current or former member of SCWCC to be considered.
- SCWCC board members or SCWCC foundation board members are not eligible for nomination.
- Demonstrated leadership impact and results for her company, employees and community, through her coaching/mentoring, transparency and code of ethics.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in improving the environment for the creation and expansion of women owned businesses.
- Demonstrated philanthropic activities that benefit other women owned businesses and the Colorado Springs Community.
- Advocacy of the women-owned business community as a whole, not solely for individual personal advancement.
- Exemplified resourcefulness, despite trials and tribulations that presented themselves in the past year.
On a separate page, please provide the following
- Provide a minimum 500-word narrative that supports how the nominee has met the stated criteria and achievements in the category over the past year and should include the following:
- An example of a situation in which the nominee demonstrated strong decision-making skills and the impact her actions had on the final outcome.
- List of recognitions or acknowledgements by industry peers, or the communities in which she does business.
- A 3rd party letter of recommendation for the nominee. You are limited to two 3rd party letters of recommendation.
- Up to 125 words of biographical information on the nominee and a high resolution headshot of the nominee.
Deadline
Nominations and all support materials must be received by June 27, 2025 via the online submission form. A high-resolution headshot photo MUST accompany the nomination and the narrative. The nomination must be complete upon submission, or it will not be accepted.
For questions, please see the nomination guidelines online, call 719-442-2007, or email info@scwcc.com. Annual Awards will be presented on August 12, 2025 – and all nominees must be available to accept the award in person, at the event or will be disqualified.
Member of the Year
The SCWCC Member of the Year award category recognizes excellence and accomplishment among current member individuals and businesses that support the mission of economic vitality in all women-owned, women-driven and women-friendly enterprise in the Pikes Peak region. Businesses and individuals are invited to submit nominations no later than June 27, 2025.
Eligibility
- Nominees must be members in good standing of the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce.
- SCWCC board members and SCWCC - Foundation Board Members are not eligible for nomination.
- Accolades committee members cannot be nominated
- Demonstrate regular engagement at SCWCC programs and events through interaction with new, prospective and existing member attendees.
- Consistent promotion of the SCWCC Mission Statement while upholding the image of the SCWCC.
- Advocate for doing business with and promoting other Chamber businesses, fostering positive relationships between the SCWCC and the community.
- List of recognitions or acknowledgements by industry peers, or the communities in which they do business.
On a separate page, please provide the following
- Provide a minimum 500-word narrative that supports how the nominee has met the stated criteria and achievements in the category over the past year
- A 3rd party letter of recommendation for the nominee. You are limited to two 3rd party letters of recommendation.
- Up to 125 words of biographical information on the nominee.
- Headshot of the nominee.
Deadline
Nominations and all support materials must be received by June 27, 2025 via the online submission form. A headshot photo MUST accompany the nomination and the narrative. The nomination must be complete upon submission or it will not be accepted.
For questions, please see the nomination guidelines online, call 719-442-2007, or email info@scwcc.com. Annual Awards will be presented on August 12, 2025 – and all nominees must be available to accept the award in person, at the event or will be disqualified.
Minority Owned Business of the Year
The SCWCC Minority Owned Business award category recognizes excellence and accomplishment among individuals and businesses that support the mission of minority economic vitality in all women-owned, women-driven and women-friendly enterprise in the Pikes Peak region. Businesses and individuals are invited to submit nominations no later than June 27, 2025.
Eligibility
- Be a woman owned and a minority owned business.
- The individual must own a business that has been registered with the Secretary of State for at least one year as of May 31, 2025.
- SCWCC board members or SCWCC foundation board members are not eligible for nomination.
- Contributions to the economic vitality of Colorado Springs, through her leadership.
- Demonstrated effectiveness and advocacy in improving environment for the creation and expansion of woman/minority owned businesses in Colorado Springs.
On a separate page, please provide the following
- Provide a minimum 500-word narrative that supports how the nominee has met the stated criteria and achievements in the category over the past year.
- A 3rd party letter of recommendation for the nominee. You are limited to two 3rd party letters of recommendation.
- Up to 125 words of biographical information on the nominee.
- Headshot of the nominee
Deadline
Nominations and all support materials must be received by June 27, 2025 via the online submission form. A headshot photo MUST accompany the nomination and the narrative. The nomination must be complete upon submission or it will not be accepted.
For questions, please see the nomination guidelines online, call 719-442-2007, or email info@scwcc.com. Annual Awards will be presented on August 12, 2025 – and all nominees must be available to accept the award in person, at the event.
Emerging Leader of the Year
To recognize career excellence, creativity and initiative, the SCWCC Emerging Leader of the Year will be an a young professional who clearly serves as a role model for peers in the Pikes Peak Region. Businesses and individuals are invited to submit nominations no later than June 27, 2025.
Eligibility
- Nominees must be 39 years of age, or younger.
- Membership is not required. Nominees need not be a current or former member of SCWCC to be considered. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
- SCWCC board members or SCWCC foundation board members are not eligible for nomination.
- Demonstrates a high level of entrepreneurial spirit, leadership, personal creativity, and a determination to be successful in their career, community and personal life.
- Demonstrated ethical decision-making skills.
- Civic engagement is pertinent to not only the nominee, but the community at large. Share the nominee’s activities, the goal of those activities and the final outcome of their efforts.
- Describe three reasons as to why the nominee will continue to grow five (5) years into their career.
- Demonstrated effectiveness in improving environment for the creation and expansion of women in the work force.
On a separate page, please provide the following
- Provide a minimum 500-word narrative that supports how the nominee has met the stated criteria and achievements in the category over the past year.
- A 3rd party letter of recommendation for the nominee. You are limited to two 3rd party letters of recommendation.
- Up to 125 words of biographical information on the nominee.
- Headshot of the nominee.
Deadline
Nominations and all support materials must be received by June 27, 2025 via the online submission form. A headshot photo MUST accompany the nomination and the narrative. The nomination must be complete upon submission or it will not be accepted.
For questions, please see the nomination guidelines online, call 719-442-2007, or email info@scwcc.com. Annual Awards will be presented on August 12, 2025 – and all nominees must be available to accept the award in person, at the event.
Don Brown Entrepreneur of the Year
The Don Brown Entrepreneur Award category recognizes the tenacious spirit needed to succeed as an entrepreneur, and women who have taken the risk of starting and running their own business in Southern Colorado. Businesses and individuals are invited to submit nominations no later than June 27, 2025.
Eligibility
- SCWCC membership is not required. Nominees need not be a current or former member of SCWCC to be considered. Individuals may nominate themselves or be nominated by others.
- SCWCC board members or SCWCC foundation board members are not eligible for nomination.
Criteria
The entrepreneur should be:
- Taking smart risks and evolving to meet changing circumstances.
- Seeking out expert advice and wisdom, and proactively growing her own knowledge. She is naturally curious.
- Innovating, planning for the future, and distinguishing herself from the field. She is taking the long road rather than just quick wins.
- Noting contributions to the community through charitable leadership roles.
- Demonstrate the ability to overcome adversity.
- Provide a list of recognitions or acknowledgements by industry peers, or the communities in which they do business.
On a separate page, please provide the following
- Provide a minimum 500-word narrative that supports how the nominee has met the stated criteria and achievements in the category over the past year
- A 3rd party letter of recommendation for the nominee. You are limited to two 3rd party letters of recommendation.
- Up to 125 words of biographical information on the nominee.
- Headshot of the nominee.
Deadline
Nominations and all support materials must be received by June 27, 2025 via the online submission form. A headshot photo MUST accompany the nomination and the narrative. The nomination must be complete upon submission or it will not be accepted.
For questions, please see the nomination guidelines online, call 719-442-2007, or email info@scwcc.com. Annual Awards will be presented on August 12, 2025 – and all nominees must be available to accept the award in person, at the event or will be disqualified.
Veteran Owned Business of the Year
The SCWCC Veteran Owned Business award category recognizes excellence and accomplishment among individuals and businesses that support the mission of economic vitality in veteran women-owned, women-driven and women-friendly enterprise in the Pikes Peak region. Businesses and individuals are invited to submit nominations no later than June 27, 2025.
Eligibility
- Be a veteran and woman owned business.
- The individual must own a business that has been registered with the Secretary of State for at least one year as of May 31, 2025.
- SCWCC board members or SCWCC foundation board members are not eligible for nomination.
- Contributions to the economic vitality of Colorado Springs, through her leadership.
- Demonstrated effectiveness and advocacy in improving environment for the creation and expansion of woman/veteran owned businesses in Colorado Springs.
On a separate page, please provide the following
- Provide a minimum 500-word narrative that supports how the nominee has met the stated criteria and achievements in the category over the past year.
- A 3rd party letter of recommendation for the nominee. You are limited to two 3rd party letters of recommendation.
- Up to 125 words of biographical information on the nominee.
- Headshot of the nominee
Deadline
Nominations and all support materials must be received by June 27, 2025 via the online submission form. A headshot photo MUST accompany the nomination and the narrative. The nomination must be complete upon submission or it will not be accepted.
For questions, please see the nomination guidelines online, call 719-442-2007, or email info@scwcc.com. Annual Awards will be presented on August 12, 2025 – and all nominees must be available to accept the award in person, at the event.