Megan Leatham, president and chief executive officer of the nonprofit Colorado Springs Sports Corp., was named by the Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce as Business Leader of the Year during the group’s 31st annual Accolades Awards luncheon on Tuesday.

Since 1994, the annual event has highlighted the accomplishments of female business owners and entrepreneurs who are making a significant impact in the southern Colorado business community, according to the event webpage.

Internationally acclaimed and Hall of Fame keynote speaker, therapist, comedienne and bestselling author Connie Podesta delivered this year’s keynote speech, touching on themes such as how to decode human behavior to make better connections and become a stronger leader.

Leatham, a Colorado Springs native, was appointed to her current role with the Colorado Springs Sports Corp. in the fall of 2021. The nonprofit was established in 1979, originally to help relocate the U.S. Olympic Committee from New York to Colorado Springs, according to the organization’s website.

In the decades since, it has promoted amateur and Olympic sporting events throughout Colorado Springs. The Sports Corp. hosts events including the Rocky Mountain State Games; The Broadmoor Cycle to the Summit; Labor Day Lift Off; the Colorado Senior Games, held this year in Colorado Springs in early June after a seven-year hiatus — the games were held annually in Greeley until 2018; and more.

Likening herself to “a turtle on a fence post” who “didn’t get there by itself,” Leatham in a brief acceptance speech credited her success to her mentors, colleagues, fellow board members, staff, friends and family.

“I stand up here today only because of the incredible people in my life … who lift me up, guide me, challenge me and remind me to keep climbing, even if I have to scale a few fence posts along the way,” she said. “… I’m truly honored to be nominated alongside so many amazing and inspiring women here today.”

Leatham also advocates for the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee and serves on boards such as the Broadmoor World Arena, Visit Colorado Springs and Ent Credit Union’s Audit Committee.

Leatham has previously held various roles in the community, including as executive director of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb from March 2011 through September 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile. Among other positions, Leatham has also worked as the head girls’ basketball coach at Rampart High School from 2010-2014 and as general manager of Southern Colorado Basketball from 2011-2021.

Several other Southern Colorado women business leaders credited with impacting their community were also honored on Tuesday.

Other nominees for Business Leader of the Year were Trina Baldock, director of programs for Infinity Systems Engineering; Camille Blakely, president of AdPro 360; Ashley Fairman, founder and CEO of DICE Cyber; Denise Larzo, director of membership for Pinnacle Advanced Primary Care; and Lisanne McNew, president and CEO of SAFE Engineering.

Luisa Graff-Coleman, owner and CEO of Luisa Graff Jewelers, received the Don Brown Entrepreneur award. Other nominees in this category included professional fitness coach Sandi Griffin, founder and CEO of the Colorado Springs Health & Fitness Expo; Bonnie Singleton, founder, CEO and digital strategist of Pollinate Marketing; and Emily Wilcox, president and CEO of Epic Broadband Solutions.

Chhiv Lang Netzler, founder, CEO and therapist at CHA Family Wellness, received the Minority Owned Business of the Year award. Shay Koloff, founder and owner of Zenith Moon Co. LLC; Josephine “Joy” Wayne, CEO of Restoration King, LLC; and Charonda Wills, owner of Club Tilt, CEO of Dream Team Construction and a Realtor with EXIT Realty Mountain View were also nominated in this category.

Tammy Cameron, owner of Elevated Image, was named Member of the Year. Other nominees were Shelly Vanderlinde, executive director of COS City Hub, and Mary Vassallo, branch manager at United Rentals.

Jennaya Colóns, executive director of Highroots Wellness & Consulting, was named the Emerging Leader of the Year. Ashlee Kothenbeutel, owner and graphic designer of Ashlee Designs, LLC; Miriam Neel, founder and owner of Curiouser Designs; and Erica Talley, partner at Miller Verchota, Inc., were also nominated.

Retired U.S. Air Force Brig. Gen. Kristin Goodwin, global operations executive and chief operations officer of The Delta-v, was awarded the inaugural Veteran-Owned Business of the Year award. Other nominees included certified nurse-midwife Jolene Hamann, principal, founder and administrator of Beginnings Birth Center; Dr. Jennifer M. Hawkins, founder and CEO of On-Site Medical Care; and Regina Lewis, Ph.D., CEO of ReginaSpeaking and ReginaSpeaking Academy.