The Southern Colorado Women’s Chamber of Commerce awarded Laura Neumann, owner of LN Business Consulting in Colorado Springs, the Business Leader of the Year during the group’s 30th annual Accolades Awards luncheon Tuesday

Neumann has held several roles in the Springs community including being the senior strategist for Weidner Apartment Homes and the incoming chair of the Colorado Springs Chamber & EDC.

She founded LN Business Consulting in 2014. For several years, she has led and worked on developments on behalf of Weidner Apartment Homes, including Weidner Field.

She also serves as a board member for Pikes Peak United Way, the Downtown Development Authority and the Manitou Springs Community Foundation.

“I’ve had experiences through three very distinct chapters that have truly eclipsed my wildest imaginations,” Neumann said during her acceptance speech.

“But like many of you can relate to, stitched into those years have also been heartache, heartbreak and a growing maturity that only comes from robustly pursuing my own north star of a life well lived through all of its emotions.”

This award follows several others Neumann has received throughout her career, including a Resolution of Appreciation from the city of Colorado Springs, the Brava Donna Award as well as the Women of Influence Legacy Award.

Neumann was honored alongside several other local business leaders at the luncheon who have made an impact on their community.

Torie Giffin, owner of Buffalo Lodge Bicycle Resort, was awarded the Don Brown Entrepreneur Award. Giffin spoke in her acceptance speech about her son, who is battling brain cancer.

The night before, Giffin said she had to call an ambulance for her son, who was having a seizure that was unresponsive to medication. While she said her son is now OK, she spoke during her speech about how her son’s battle has impacted her.

“At one point early on in my business journey, I was told that I should just sell my business and give it up and become a full time caregiver for my son, and I’m so grateful that I didn’t, because my business dream has actually helped really provide for my family in an extraordinary way, where I get to experience community, business ownership, take care of my family and do all the things that we want to do,” Giffin said through several rounds of applause.

Other women recognized for awards included Minority Owned Business of the Year, Julissa Soto, CEO and founder of Latino Health Equity Consulting. Soto’s work and efforts has earned her several honors in the past, including in 2021 when Gov. Jared Polis proclaimed Sept. 20 as “Julissa Soto Day.”

The Young Professional of the Year went to Alana Lipscomb, executive director of The Women’s Community Leadership Initiative. In her role, Lipscomb has expanded the program’s impact as it continues to be the only free women’s leadership development program in the city.

Stephen Matich, service delivery manager for Perfect Cloud Solutions, was named the chamber’s Member of the Year. Matich stepped up alongside several colleagues to build the Young Professionals program after years of volunteering with the chamber.