Southern Oregon gathered last week to celebrate excellence in leadership at the "Top 10 Emerging Leader and Student Leader Awards Gala at the Rogue Valley Country Club in Medford.
This year's event honored 10 outstanding leaders and four exceptional student leaders from across the region for their demonstrated excellence and dedication to community betterment.
The honorees were formally recognized by local and national officials including US Congressman Cliff Bentz, State Senator Jeff Golden and Jackson County Commissioner Colleen Roberts.
The 2025 cohort exemplifies leadership and a deep commitment to social responsibility. In a powerful partnership with The Salvation Army, the honorees raised over $100,000 in just 10 weeks to support efforts addressing homelessness and food insecurity -- making a big impact on vulnerable community members.
The Top 10 Leaders are Emmanuel Flores, co-owner of Flores Family Restaurants; Hannah Kirschenmann, development manager of Rogue Retreat; Alyssa Lake, mortgage broker with Empire Home Loans; Dan Leavens, general manager of L&S Rock Products; Shon Moses, AirBNB business owner; Mandi Powell, area sales manager for Merete Hotel Management; Jake Ryan, owner of Astra Tenacia Holding Portfolio; Whitney Sinks, vice president of Allied Trucking, Inc.; Donnie Thomason, vice president of operations for The Human Bean; and Joe Walter, operations manager for Aviega.
Student Leaders are Jade Austin, a student at Hanby Middle School; Braxton Sheets, a student at River's Edge Academy Charter School; Audrey Reeves, a 2025 graduate of Crater High School; and Gracie Mahar, a 2025 graduate of Cascade Christian High School.
