GenXYZ 2023 — Rob Lee Andrews

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

Rob Lee Andrews, 38

CEO, CommunityWorks | Denver

Rob Lee Andrews reinvented the CommunityWorks program by creating an avenue for historically excluded communities to attend pre-apprenticeship and registered apprenticeship programs by condensing them to five days, resulting in an organization that grew 3,000% in one year.

READ: Want to Set Your Business Apart From the Rest? Consider Apprenticeship

Andrews has taken a small, local nonprofit and developed it into an organization that has welcomed more than 33,000 people in multiple cities. Founded in 2016, CommunityWorks has grown to 53 people and $6 million in revenue over the last six years.

CommunityWorks removes barriers to help people find stable employment. It provides hands-on training, immersive experiences and comprehensive connections to every jobseeker it serves.

The organization meets people where they are by providing supportive services to the growth and investment in their future careers. Under Andrews’ leadership, the organization has ensured that more than 15,000 people have professional clothing, and more than 6,000 people are employed.

Andrews is on the Denver African American Philanthropist board and actively advocates for the inclusion of marginalized voices and stories. He has helped several African-American nonprofits raise $225,000 to help with their mission and outreach.

He volunteers with church groups at Denver Broncos games by helping organize community gatherings and virtual webinars. He mentors, professionally and personally, four young men of color, intentionally including experiences and conversations often not accessible to historically excluded populations.