On Wednesday evening, a large crowd gathered the Mythology Distillery to recognize some of the community’s most impactful leaders at the 2024 Navigator Awards.

“We are in our 26th year of Navigator Awards, which honor exemplary business leaders and businesses for both their personal businesses (and impact on the community),” said Sarah Leonard, chief executive officer for the Steamboat Springs Chamber. “We highlight people who have great policy for their workforce and spend a lot of time to make sure the have great employee retention, but also those that make a difference out in the community. We want to honor leaders in businesses that give back to the community.”

This year’s winners included Peter Blei, Young Professional of the Year; Karen Schneider, Nonprofit Leader of the Year; Stephany Traylor, Business Leader of the Year; and TALON Grips, Business of the Year.

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“I’m beyond humbled, and honored to receive this,” said Blei, who works as director of finance at Steamboat Ski & Resort Corp. “To be recognized among my peers and among an incredible group of people that live in this community and do so much for this town is just a huge honor, and I  thank you so much. This town is special, but it’s made much more special by the people — and I think it’s just a huge testament to the community that we live in.”

Scheider was introduced by Kathy Elliot who sits on the board of directors for the Steamboat Springs Chamber.

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“As the executive director of the Yampa Valley Medical Center Foundation since 2016 Karen has led with unparalleled vision, compassion and integrity,” Elliot said. “Under her stewardship, the foundation has reached new heights in philanthropy, healthcare, innovation and community engagement.”

Schneider said she was honored to win the award in a community like Steamboat Springs, where there are so many nonprofits doing great work.

“I’m deeply humbled and honored,” Schneider said. “There are so many people that I wish could be standing up here with me, because I did not get here by myself.”

She thanked the leadership of UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center for letting her come to work each day and watch the hospital participate and provide incredible patient care in the community as well as thanking the other nonprofit leaders and their staffs and volunteers for working to make Steamboat Springs a better community and to her board that has supported her for many years.

“I appreciate each and every one of you, and to this gaggle of gals that keep me learning and loving and laughing, you mean more to me than you will ever know,” Schneider said. “And finally, to my husband and daughter — Jim and Emily —  they are my world, and I love you to the moon and back.”

Angelica Salinas from the Steamboat Springs Chamber introduced the Business Leader of the Year, Stephany Traylor, to the crowd.

“Steph’s empathetic approach has turned Dusty Grouse into a safe haven where everyone feels welcome. Under her leadership, the coffee shop has become a cornerstone of our community, fostering a culture of compassion and mutual support that radiates,” Salinas said.

Leonard added saying Traylor has been a pioneer in the community especially with her diversity, equity and inclusion efforts.

“Not just talking about them, but really embedding them into her business,” Leonard said. “She’s created, I think, a space that is sacred for a lot of people. She was the first business in Routt Country to be recovery friendly, or certified recovery friendly and most of her leadership is in service to others. She’s amazing.”

The final award of the night was presented by Keith Hensley from the Routt County Economic Partnership who introduced TALON Grips, which is a Steamboat Springs-based company that makes gun grips for pistols, shotguns and rifles, as Business of the Year. The company, which is owned by Mike and Gillian Morris, has an employee-first philosophy, and that has helped them retain employees.

“I think their shortest term employee is three and a half years now,” Leonard said. “They put a lot of effort into making sure that people have kind of a holistic work, work-life balance.”

Following the event Leonard praised the Mythology Distillery venue, tipping her cap to owner Scott Yeates, and those that came out to recognize this year’s class of winners.

“It was an excellent night,” Leonard said. “I think it was so cool at Mythology, Scott and his team are great and this was a wonderful venue. For the first time, the event was a free event and that was important to us. Making sure that cost wasn’t going to be a factor in people being able to come out and celebrate these amazing leaders and businesses.”