GlobalMindED is an Inclusive Success NetworkTM creating a capable talent pipeline by connecting students to role models, mentors, internships, and jobs to get grads to financial freedom and economic mobility.

Meet All Exceptional Leader Award Winners and Register Early Bird for GlobalMindED's Conference "Dimensions of Democracy: Architecting the Next 250 Years" June 10-12 in Denver

In case you missed any day the past few weeks, GlobalMindED has been honored to present the 2026 Exceptional Leader Award recipients. These honorees are role models who are shaping their fields, leading their communities, and inspiring the next generation that GlobalMindED serves.


Join us in Denver on June 10 to honor these leaders at the Exceptional Leader Awards Dinner, and hear them speak in addition to 400+ speakers, 1,000+ attendees, and students at the GlobalMindED 2026 Conference June 11-12. Register before January 31st for the $500 Early Bird rate!

Valerie Singer


From Hardscrabble Upbringing, Typist at Age 11 Catapults to Amazon Global Executive: Meet the Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Global Impact, Valerie Singer, GM of Global Education at AWS

Kimberly Cooper


Tapping Unique Strengths and Universal Interests Elevates Collective Potential: Meet Exceptional Leader Winner for Leadership & Equity, Kimberly Cooper, Global Board Chair, International Women's Forum

Sergio Fernandez de Cordova


Turning Media, Data, and Capital into Global Solutions: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Media and Arts, Sergio Fernandez de Cordova, Chairman of the PVBLIC Foundation

La June Montgomery Tabron


A Declaration of Interdependence for America's Next 250 Years: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Foundations & Funders, La June Montgomery Tabron, President and CEO of W.K. Kellogg Foundation

Stuart Weismiller


American Express/Accenture Exec Alum Empowers Community College Entrepreneurs: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Entrepreneurship, Stuart Weismiller, Founder of Everyday Entrepreneur Fund

Mike Lettig


Banking a Lifetime of Service to Country and Tribal Nations Through Banking: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Banking and Finance, Mike Lettig, Senior Managing Director, Huntington National Bank

Kinsey Fabrizio


CTA Health Founder, Collaborator, Connector, Tech Innovator, and Mother of Two: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Technology, Kinsey Fabrizio, President of Consumer Technology Association

Telva McGurder


14-Year-Old Engineering Visionary Now Delivers Sustainable Engineering and Sustainable Communities: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Energy & Sustainability, Telva McGruder, E.D., Global Body Engineering, GM

Ron Lopez


Son of Cuban Immigrants Transforms the Future of Space Through Service, Innovation, and Global Collaboration: Meet GlobalMindED Exceptional Leader Award Winner, Ron Lopez, President of Astroscale

Steve Schwab


From Young Public Servant to Champion for Military and Veteran Caregivers: Meet Exceptional Nonprofit Leader Award Winner Steve Schwab, CEO of the Elizabeth Dole Foundation

Dr. Freeman Hrabowski


From Birmingham Jail to College Graduate, Ph.D., and University President: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Higher Education, Dr. Freeman Hrabowski, President Emeritus of UMBC


Donna Lynne, DrPH


Advocate Who Always Chooses the Harder Path Advances Health Equity, Humanity, and Opportunity for All: Meet Exceptional Award Winner for Health, Donna Lynne, DrPH, CEO, Denver Health 

Michelle Kang


Daughter of Immigrants Inspires Thousands of Educators Through Care and Kindness: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner for Early Childhood, Michelle Kang, CEO of NAEYC


Jean-Claude Brizard


ESL Haitian Immigrant Leads with Inquiry, Persistence, and Joy of Figuring Hard Things Out: Meet Exceptional Leader Award Winner in K-12, Jean Claude Brizard, CEO of Digital Promise Global

Register for GlobalMindED 2026 before the Early Bird rate ends January 31

June 10-12, 2026

Denver, CO

Join national and global leaders from across the disciplines – early learning, K-12, higher education, health, tech, policy, foundations/funders, and more for "Dimensions of our Democracy: 250 Years and Architecting the Next 250". Meet the 400+ speakers and hundreds of attendees dedicated to creating a capable talent pipeline, networking, sharing best practices, and connecting students to role models, mentors, internships, experiences, and jobs.


What is unique about the GlobalMindED Annual Event?

  • Attendees come from all business sectors, health, government, nonprofit, and education entities, from early learning through higher education, including CEOs, college Presidents, changemakers, and heads of organizations
  • First Gen Students Leadership Program - in this preconference, students will learn from and network directly with CEOs, policymakers, tech innovators, health experts, and leaders across industries. Register as a student
  • Students are featured on panels and are “at the table” with influential leaders
  • Industry Marketplace/Career Exploration - students learn about possible career paths, apprenticeships, internships, and jobs, while businesses and organizations can meet national talent. Register for a table.
  • Exceptional Leader Awards dinner on June 10th will honor 15 national luminaries who are role models for the students we serve

 

Student perspectives:

  • “Knowing that I am capable of having conversations and learning within an environment with many top executives in their respective fields has instilled in me a new sense of confidence.“
  • Kelvin Agyemang, CSU: “I never would have been President of NSBE (National Society of Black Engineers) without the GlobalMindED conference and the mentors they connected me to from Salesforce and Microsoft!”
  • Amelia Mawlawi, GlobalMindED 2015 Class: See her 1-minute Testimonial


Travel Plans

  • Denver offers convenient access by air and rail, with walkable hotels near the conference venue.
  • Discounted rates are available at the Sheraton Denver Downtown Hotel


Industry Marketplace & Career Exploration Arena 

June 12, 1:30-3:30


Where business leadership meets community impact, the GlobalMindED Industry Marketplace connects employers, educators, and students to explore career pathways and build Colorado’s inclusive workforce. More than a career fair, it’s a movement—bridging equity, access, and opportunity across industries to inspire the next generation of leaders and strengthen the “Pillars of our Democracy.” 

United Nations Event Conference 2025


Our 2025 conference at the United Nations, co-hosted by the Foundation for the Support of the United Nations, Brave Solutions Fueling Our Economic Future, gathered a diverse group of students, graduates, funders, and leaders from industry and education for a day of dynamic conversation at the United Nations in New York. See more and view the session below.

GlobalMindED Conference 2025


Thank you to all of the students, partners, sponsors, speakers and attendees who made our 2025 conference such a success!


More than 300 students from over 60 community colleges and universities were able to learn from 400 speakers, hundreds of attendees, and each other. Please see photos from the Inclusive Leader Awards dinner, First Gen Leadership Program, main stage sessions and breakouts.

Thanks to our sponsors, presenters, and students who made GlobalMindED 2025 such a success!

GlobalMindED class of 2015: Click to see 1-minute Student Testimonial from Amelia Mawlawi

Would you like to give to support our student programs? You can scan the QR code below or go to our website to support our year-round programs. GlobalMindED is a 501(c)(3).
 
 

GlobalMindED | 303-327-5688 | contact@globalminded.org | www.globalminded.org

 
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