Lydia Prado Named 2022 9NEWS Leader of the Year
Executive Director of Lifespan Local recognized for outstanding leadership in Denver community
DENVER (April 6, 2022) — 9NEWS and the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation announced Lydia Prado of Lifespan Local as the 2022 9NEWS Leader of the Year. The award for community leadership was presented during the Leading Colorado Luncheon, an annual luncheon with the goal of raising money for the Leading Colorado Scholarship Fund. Voting was open to the public again this year, with nearly 2,500 votes received.
Prado is leading community change as the executive director of Lifespan Local, a nonprofit activating community-driven solutions to collectively identify challenges by partnering across sectors, breaking barriers and elevating community voices. Throughout the voting process, Prado was described as a justice-driven leader whose innovative, inclusive leadership style challenges the status quo and promotes a more equitable future for at-promise individuals.
“Lydia is such an amazing example of what it means to be resilient and create positive change,” said Jerome Davis, executive vice president of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce and president of the Denver Chamber Leadership Foundation. “We are proud to present this award to Lydia and to celebrate the impact she’s made in creating more equitable communities across Colorado.”
Prado’s leadership style dates back to an early age. She gives credit to her parents for showing her an example of a caring, nurturing and loving leadership approach. Prior to her role at Lifespan Local, Prado spent 17 years with the Mental Health Center of Denver and is currently on the boards of HealthOne, Denver Preschool Program and more.
“This is a tremendously meaningful honor because it acknowledges and uplifts neighborhood-based, community-fueled leadership. We cultivate strong communities when we see strengths in each other, learn from each other and build promising futures together, across those boundaries that have historically and structurally limited creative, ingenious people. We cannot change inequities and injustice alone, it’s time to cast a very wide net,” said Prado.
The 9NEWS Leader of the Year Award recognizes outstanding leaders who have made a significant impact on the well-being and development of Colorado. Thousands of public votes chose this year’s winner. The finalists included Prado and:
- Janine Davidson, President of Metropolitan State University
- Michael Niyompong, Vice President and Chief Engagement Officer of Mental Health Center of Denver
“The Colorado spirit is defined by strong leadership. The three finalists for the 9NEWS Leader of the Year Award represent that spirit,” said Mark Cornetta, president and general manager of 9NEWS. “Janine, Michael and Lydia, I congratulate you on being finalists and look forward to seeing your continuing work in our community.”
To learn more about Lydia Prado and the 2022 9NEWS Leader of the Year finalists, visit https://denverleadership.org/leadingco.
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About the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation
An affiliate organization of the Denver Metro Chamber of Commerce, the Denver Metro Chamber Leadership Foundation educates and inspires people who want to make a difference as leaders in the community. Building strong, diverse leaders for more than 45 years, the Leadership Foundation provides the knowledge, skills, networks and experience to inspire leaders to engage in issues critical to the region’s success through a continuum of programs, including Leadership Denver, Impact Denver, Colorado’s Civic DNA Fellows, Leadership Exchange, Access Denver, the Colorado Leadership Alliance and the Leadership Foundation Alumni Network. For more information, please visit denverleadership.org.