GenXYZ 2023 — Lauren Napheys

They’re uncommon achievers, whether as entrepreneurs, CEOs, nonprofit leaders, visionaries critical to their companies’ success or, in some cases, all of those roles. This year’s Top 25 Young Professionals figure to continue making a difference professionally and in their communities for years to come.

Read on to learn about the 2023 Top 25 Young Professionals and to see the list of this year’s top 50 finalists.

READ: GenXYZ 2023 — Top 25

Lauren Napheys, 32

Director of Investments, Headwaters Group | Denver

Lauren Napheys spearheads real estate developer Headwaters Group’s investment strategy for growth, deal sourcing, investment underwriting and investment relations. 

Under Napheys’ leadership, Headwaters has multiple projects in various stages of development in Colorado, Arizona and New Mexico, all of which are expected to break ground this year. The company also is slated to close soon on the purchase of a community in Salt Lake City. 

Headwaters Group is focused on the development and acquisition of for-rent 55-plus communities for active adults. Napheys plans to expand Headwaters’ operations over the next two years, targeting additional states in the Western U.S. to double the firm’s deal flow. 

Before joining Headwaters, Napheys was director of accounting advisory services for Big Four accounting firm KPMG where she supported the company’s global client base in transformative accounting solutions. She was instrumental in developing and leading accounting and auditing change readiness programs related to an international financial reporting standard issued in 2017. 

While at KPMG, Napheys created an initiative to support workforce development and alleviate poverty in Uganda. Through a partnership with the Global Livingston Institute, Napheys led a multiyear program in Kampala that delivered basic bookkeeping training for small-business owners and accounting professionals. Upon completion of the program, participants received certificates from KPMG that bolster their ability to receive promotions or better jobs. 

Napheys is involved in a variety of organizations, including serving on the board for the Gobal LI Institute. She is co-chair of the Young Professional boards for the Denver Health Foundation and Denver Zoo and is a member of the Junior League of Denver.