Announcing 2025 Luncheon Awardees
YWCA Boulder County is thrilled to congratulate our 2025 Better Because of Her luncheon recipients Jessica Acosta, Dr. Ajume Wingo and Lupita Ortiz.
Jessica Acosta
The Better Because of Her Award celebrates extraordinary women dedicated to advancing equity for all women, particularly women of color, in Boulder County and beyond. Jessica Acosta’s tireless commitment, visionary leadership, and unwavering passion have created lasting legacies of empowerment, opportunity, and systemic change that extend far beyond her community.
Jessica is a first-generation Mexican-American entrepreneur, equity architect, and systems strategist whose life’s work centers on building generational opportunity. Born in Mexico and raised in Denver from the age of 14, she arrived with no English and no roadmap—just grit, resilience, and a relentless drive to lead.
Starting her career at 15, she quickly rose from receptionist to managing multimillion-dollar construction projects in a male-dominated industry. Laid off during the Great Recession, she founded Environmental Consulting Services (ECS) with a bold vision. Today, ECS leads in stormwater management and environmental compliance, delivering major infrastructure projects while championing equity in green industries.
Jessica’s impact spans construction, environmental justice, technology, and workforce development. She founded EDIFICE2120, Colorado’s first coworking space for women in construction, and launched SmartComplAI, an AI-driven platform transforming stormwater compliance. She also pioneered one of the nation’s first federally registered apprenticeships in stormwater and green infrastructure, opening career paths for underrepresented communities.
Through her nonprofit Latin@s+, Jessica champions civic leadership, economic empowerment, and structural equity within Latino, immigrant and underserved communities. Her service extends to numerous boards and commissions, including Denver’s Women’s Commission, and she actively mentors emerging leaders through initiatives like Stanford’s Latino Business Action Network.
Jessica’s visionary leadership has earned national acclaim, recognized by the Denver Business Journal (Forty Under 40, Outstanding Women in Business, Fastest-Growing Companies) and ColoradoBiz Magazine (Top 5 Most Influential Professionals). Her work has been featured in Latina Style, Hispanic Lifestyle, Latino Journal, Women of Denver and other publications.
At the heart of her leadership is a powerful philosophy: equity is the infrastructure we build, brick by brick. Jessica is known for her servant leadership, steadfast strength, and unwavering belief in women and people of color to lead, thrive, and redefine the future. Her impact is rooted in lasting systems change for social repair and collective empowerment.
A proud mother, Jessica dedicates her life’s work to creating a world where the next generation of women is empowered to lead, thrive, and are embraced, truly embodying the spirit of the Better Because of Her award.
Dr. Ajume Wingo
The Active Ally Award recognizes men who are dedicated champions for women and girls. Active Allies serve as powerful examples of how men can advance gender equity by creating inclusive environments where everyone can thrive. Dr. Wingo’s lifelong commitment to justice, dignity and community empowerment makes him a powerful embodiment of what this award stands for.
Dr. Wingo is an internationally renowned philosopher, author, and advocate whose work centers on justice, human dignity and the transformative power of inclusive democracy. A distinguished professor of political philosophy and African political thought at the University of Colorado Boulder, Dr. Wingo is recognized globally for his pioneering scholarship on civic virtue, leadership ethics, and the integration of traditional African governance with modern democratic ideals.
His activism is deeply rooted in personal experience and cultural heritage. He is a direct matrilineal descendant of Her Royal Majesty Ngonnso, the founder of the Nso’ Kingdom in Northwest Cameroon. As a holder of the traditional title Ntumfon, or “the Fon’s message bearer,” he is entrusted with the responsibility of speaking truth, upholding justice, and serving as the moral conscience of his people.
Beyond academia, Dr. Wingo co-founded PridePads Africa, a locally based initiative that produces biodegradable menstrual pads and distributes them free of charge to help girls in Ngaoundere, Adamawa Region, Cameroon stay in school. PridePads also provides menstrual education, supports women's livelihood empowerment, and distributes pads to refugees, incarcerated women, and women’s organizations, leading to significant improvements in academic performance for girls in targeted schools.
He is also the co-founder of Pathfinders4Peace, alongside Dr. Suzanne Ghais, an organization dedicated to supporting peace processes and conflict resolution efforts in Cameroon.
Dr. Wingo’s acclaimed book Veil Politics in Liberal Democratic States has shaped global discourse on political symbolism, legitimacy and pluralism. His forthcoming work, In the Shade of Power: Paths to Empowering the Powerless, offers a bold reimagining of institutions to restore dignity and elevate the marginalized.
In 2024, he received the Thomas Jefferson Award, one of the University of Colorado’s highest honors, in recognition of his excellence in scholarship, community leadership and public service.
Through his academic work, cultural leadership and nonprofit advocacy, Dr. Ajume H. Wingo demonstrates what it truly means to be an active ally. He challenges systems of inequality, opens pathways for marginalized voices, and works every day to empower women and girls across the globe.
Lupita Ortiz
The Energizing the Future Award honors a young leader who is actively creating a more equitable, inclusive, and empowering community for all. This award recognizes individuals who boldly challenge systems and institutions to advance equity—particularly for women and girls—in Boulder County and beyond.
Lupita exemplifies this mission through her unwavering dedication to advocacy, leadership, and meaningful change. A recent graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder and recipient of the CU Boulder Center for Leadership Award, Lupita is a powerful force for civic engagement, youth empowerment, and social justice. Her leadership is not about recognition—it's about making a lasting impact.
As Chair of the Alumni Relations Committee for CU Boulder’s Herd Leadership Council since 2022, Lupita has created intentional spaces that celebrate diversity and foster connection. She has led the planning and execution of events such as the Affinity Graduation Ceremonies and the Herd Leaders Reunion, which honor the achievements of underrepresented students and strengthen relationships between students and alumni. Her work ensures that every student sees themselves reflected and valued in CU Boulder’s legacy.
Lupita served as Vice President of Operations for the Senior Class Council, helping shape memorable experiences for graduating seniors and supporting initiatives that build class unity. Her reach, however, goes far beyond campus.
As a Public Policy and Advocacy Intern with YWCA Boulder County, Lupita mentored first-generation high school students, helping them navigate college readiness and discover their voices as leaders. She also played a key role in organizing Women’s Empowerment Day at the Colorado State Capitol, providing young women with firsthand experience in civic engagement and policymaking. In addition, through her work as an Equity Fellow, Lupita has advocated for the inclusion of BIPOC voices in environmental policy and helped develop programming that supports young Latinas.
Lupita’s leadership philosophy—“putting the community above personal interests”—is evident in every space she touches. Described by her peers as “a master at making her team members feel loved and respected,” she leads with empathy, strength, and unwavering integrity. Whether she’s raising funds for inclusive campus initiatives, mentoring younger students, or championing equity in public policy, her work radiates positive change.
Lupita Ortiz is not just imagining a more equitable future—she’s building it. Her commitment to inclusion, justice, and community empowerment makes her a shining example of the next generation of changemakers.