Inspiring Future Business Leaders: Top Talent to Mentor Youth Entrepreneurs

DENVER - July 14, 2016 - PRLog -- Three prominent business leaders will serve as Presenting Mentors for the 15th annual Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs, Colorado's largest youth business competition, Young Americans Center for Financial Education announced today. The 2016 event, sponsored by CoBank, culminates at an award gala to be held at Denver's Seawell Grand Ballroom on Thursday, September 22, 2016.

This year's elite group includes Heidi Ganahl, Founder of Camp Bow Wow; Jeff Ingrum, Owner of Skate City; and Reggie Rivers, President of Corporate Kickoff and former Denver Bronco.   With a wide variety of business accomplishments, the group has much to offer aspiring young business men and women.  Ganahl's Camp Bow Wow is one of the largest and fastest growing brands in the pet industry.  Starting his career at the local Skate City right out of college, Ingrum now owns all of Colorado's Skate City rinks along with 22 companies focused on roller skating.  And after a long and successful NFL career with the Denver Broncos, Rivers turned his passion for public speaking into Corporate Kickoff, a highly-praised event business.

"Entrepreneurship in Colorado is thriving, and youth entrepreneurship is no exception," remarks Richard Martinez, President and CEO of Young Americans.  "Our mentorship program creates an exciting opportunity for both mentors and the youth businesses they advise.  Youth have the chance to solicit valuable business advice from their seasoned mentors; while the mentors have the opportunity to support and encourage the future drivers of Colorado's entrepreneurial economy."

About Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs and Young Americans Center

Celebration for Young Entrepreneurs is a business competition and dinner event fundraiser that benefits the programs of Young Americans Center for Financial Education, a nonprofit charity that reaches more than 60,000 youth every year through hands-on programs and real-life experiences to develop financial literacy in youth. For tickets ($250 per person) and sponsored tables ($2,500 and up) contact Janet Redwine at 303-320-3241 or jredwine@yacenter.org.

Visit www.yacenter.org to learn more about Young Americans' resources for young business owners, about programs such as Young AmeriTowne, International Towne, YouthBiz, and free Money Matters classes and about Young Americans Bank in Denver, the only FDIC insured real bank in the world designed specifically for young people (age 21 and under).