Dr. Rachael Capua is a higher education leader whose work centers on expanding opportunity, strengthening communities, and helping learners move from uncertainty to purpose and aspiration to achievement.

Since joining Tarleton State University in 2023 as Vice President for External Operations and Dean of Tarleton State Fort Worth, Dr. Cap has helped advance the university’s growing presence across North Texas. She provides leadership for Tarleton State’s Fort Worth, Waco, Bryan, and online enterprise, including the institution's presence at Texas A&M-Fort Worth, with responsibility for workforce development and innovative educational pathways. She also leads Tarleton State Fort Worth’s 80-acre master-planned campus on Chisholm Trail and serves on the President’s Executive Cabinet.

Previously, Dr. Cap was the founding Director of College and Career Success for the Tarrant To & Through Partnership, where she helped build postsecondary agreements that have provided scholarships, persistence coaching, and wraparound supports to more than 8,000 students in Tarrant County.

Dr. Cap serves as Co-Chair of the Higher Education Alliance for the Fort Worth Mayor’s Council on Workforce & Education and on the boards for the Center for Transforming Lives and Bass Hall Performing Arts. She has degrees from TCU, the University of Oklahoma, SMU, and Collin College with a recent certification from Harvard's College of Education.

Her leadership has been recognized through Fort Worth’s Top 500 Most Influential People, Great Woman of Texas, 40 Under 40, Top 50 Latino Leader, and the North Texas Commission’s 2026 Rising Star Award.

Nicholas Ditto was recognized for his entrepreneurial leadership and community impact, including his work to launch Fort Worth STEAM Academy, a tuition-free public charter middle school slated to open in August 2026. As founder and CEO, he guided the academy from concept to state approval — one of only four new charters approved statewide in 2025. The academy reflects his commitment to preparing students for future success while strengthening Fort Worth’s workforce and economic competitiveness for decades to come.

He has also connected with hundreds of students through free STEAM programs offered in partnership with Fort Worth Community Centers, the YMCA, Girl Scouts, and Boys & Girls Club. Beyond working with youth, Ditto is active in SteerFW, the Fort Worth Chamber, the Fort Worth Hispanic Chamber, and the Fort Worth Metropolitan Black Chamber, reflecting his broader commitment to civic leadership.

“I'm deeply honored to be named the Fort Worth Chamber’s Young Professional of the Year — a recognition that reflects not just what I do, but the values I bring to serve our city,” said Ditto. “I believe education is the cornerstone of opportunity — for students, families, businesses, and the entire community. With the launch of Fort Worth STEAM Academy less than a year away, this award energizes me even more as we work to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and confidence to thrive in Fort Worth’s growing economy and help shape the city’s future.”

Kadee Coffman Blair is recognized as the 2024 Fort Worth Chamber Young Professional of the Year, Class of 2021 40 Under 40 by the Fort Worth Business Press, and 20 under 40 by the Association for Learning Environments. She is director of business development at CORE Construction. Known as the #1 K12 school builder and top public safety builder in the country, Kadee acts as the link between CORE Construction and future clients, helping keep CORE top of mind in her community and beyond. She sits on the board of the North Texas Commission, Northwest ISD Education Foundation, Association for Learning Environments, The Fort Worth Forum, For The Fort Advisory Board and others.

In addition, Kadee is a national TV host and sideline reporter who can be seen on networks such as: FOX, Fox Sports, CBS Sports, NBC Sports Network, RFD-TV and more. Kadee has also been hired to moderate star-studded events including a sit-down interview with Academy Award winner Diane Keaton, New York Times Best Selling Author Moll Anderson, and Emmy Award winning TV personality Carson Kressley.

Kadee is a Dean’s Scholar from San Jose State University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Broadcast Journalism with an emphasis in political science. Along with her strong TV presence, Kadee is also proficient in Adobe Premiere Pro and Final Cut, allowing her to produce and edit her own stories. Her works have aired from local news outlets to CNN.

Ty Stimpson, Partner at Varghese Summersett Injury Law Group, holds a Master of Law in International and Comparative Sports Law from St. John’s University School of Law, a Juris Doctor Degree from Thurgood Marshall School of Law, Texas Southern University, and a Bachelor of Business Administration and Marketing from Baylor University.

Renee manages capital facilities projects, including the construction of new service centers and major facility remodels for Oncor Electric. She is a member of the Red Shoe Society and serves as co-chair for the Education Committee for the Asian American Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group at Oncor. Renee holds a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences from Texas A&M University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of North Texas.

As the award recipient Renee will join Leadership Fort Worth’s LeadingEdge program in 2023.

Julia coordinates and supports all business development activity in Fort Worth and the West Texas region for Northern Trust. This year she earned her CERTIFIED FINANCIAL PLANNER™ (CFP ®) designation and was recently promoted to Regional Director of Goals Driven Wealth Management. Julia is involved in the Junior League of Fort Worth, the Bass Hall Young Patrons Club, TCU Alumni Association, and the Women’s Health Council of the Baylor Scott and White All Saints Health Foundation to name a few.

As the award recipient Julia will join Leadership Fort Worth’s LeadingEdge program in 2022.