Lance Avery Morgan
Gala Chairs Justin Luper And Travis Reiter Weigh In On Mentorship, Momentum, And Why Leadership In Austin Must Shine Beyond The Stage Of The Annual Gala That Benefits The Young Men’s Business League And Austin Sunshine Camps. They Are Fueling The Future Of Civic Leadership For Ninety Finalists, Eighteen Categories, And One City Determined To Glow Brighter Than Ever
Photography courtesy of Austin Under 40, Young Men’s Business League and Austin Sunshine Camps
Austin has always had a certain glow. Maybe it’s the skyline at sunset. Maybe it’s the neon. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s the people. This year, the 2026 Austin Under 40 Awards leans into that radiance with a theme that feels both poetic and powerful: Illuminating Austin, proving that Austin shines brightest when its leaders do, as this year’s Co-chairs, Justin Luperand Travis Reiter, share their enthusiasm for the upcoming event, happening on May 9th, with former Austin Under 40 nominee, Lance Avery Morgan.
Illuminating Austin: Leadership That Glows Beyond the Gala
If Austin is known for anything, it’s bold spirit and unmistakable energy. But according to 2026 chairs Justin Luper and Travis Reiter, illumination goes deeper than skyline shimmer.
“This theme is all about our community leaders who, through their work, are a beacon of light to guide the next generation of leaders,” says Travis Reiter. “We all have the potential to step up and lead, and often it’s simply a matter of whether you have someone lighting the path for you.”
That ethos sits at the heart of the Austin Under 40 Awards, which benefits the Young Men’s Business League (YMBL) and its philanthropic arm, Austin Sunshine Camps (ASC). What may appear to some as a glamorous black-tie evening is, in truth, a civic engine, one that has quietly shaped Austin leadership for decades.
Ninety Finalists. One Shared Humility
This year’s class includes 90 finalists across 18 categories, and it’s a cross-section of industries, ideas, and impact. But beyond résumés and accolades, Luper noticed something else.
“What stood out this year was the finalists’ excellence in their work and careers and how the bar is raised every year,” Justin Luper says. “Equally impressive is their unwavering commitment to serving the evolving needs of Austin and the diverse communities they represent.”
And then there’s the humility.
“In reading their bios, there’s a shared sense of humility,” Luper continues. “Despite all they’ve accomplished, many recognize there is still more work to be done. That perspective not only makes them deeply inspiring but also underscores their integral part as leaders shaping Austin’s future.”
In a city that rewards hustle, that quiet awareness may be what truly separates achievement from transformation.
From Rising Stars To Transformative Leaders
Reiter shares a question that judges often ask themselves:
“How much and in what ways would Austin suffer if this person were to leave the city?”
It’s a deceptively simple litmus test, one that reframes leadership as irreplaceable impact.
“The strength and resilience of local communities is under ever increasing pressure as technology continues to replace aspects of community life and the distraction economy grows,” Reiter says. “Volunteer, civic, and social organizations need young leaders now more than ever.”
Professional excellence alone isn’t enough. The awards deliberately honor those whose civic contributions ripple outward.
Mentorship: The Multiplier Effect
For Reiter, mentorship isn’t theoretical… it’s personal.
“Volunteering for, and then leading, Austin Under 40 has been a central part of my personal leadership journey, and I actually found two mentors through my work with the organization,” he says. “You can have an impact simply from finding the right cause to be passionate about, but you can multiply that impact if you have the right mentor, coaching, and pushing you.”
That multiplier effect mirrors what happens every summer at Austin Sunshine Camps — though instead of executives and entrepreneurs, the campers are children discovering courage for the first time.
The Real Impact Behind The Black Tie Event
Founded in 1928, Austin Sunshine Camps has provided transformational summer camp experiences to Austin youth for nearly a century.
“It’s easy to just think about summer camp as fun and games,” says Reiter. “But it’s a formative experience for many kids, and at Austin Sunshine Camps, it’s often the first or only experience of its kind that they get.”
A 10-day overnight camp can feel daunting. But something remarkable happens there.
“Campers discover a person that they didn’t know was inside them all along; someone that’s more confident and independent,” Reiter explains.
Luper agrees. “ASC creates a space where kids can explore, connect, and grow, fostering skills and mindsets that stay with them for life. Those moments of confidence and belonging often become the foundation for future leadership.”
The financial impact is tangible. At just $1,500 per camper, funds raised through AU40 can change the lives of 75 campers in a single year. But the ripple effect stretches far beyond the budget.
“Beyond the dollars raised, the event helps raise awareness about ASC’s work and brings in new volunteers who come out to volunteer at camp,” says Reiter.
And then comes the moment.
“The moment that truly captures the heart of the evening is when the spotlight turns to Austin Sunshine Camps, and we hear directly from a past camper or an ASC family,” Luper says. “It becomes less about the gala itself and more about the lives being changed.”
You can feel it in the room, the shift from applause to purpose.
Stewarding A Century Of Civic Leadership
The Young Men’s Business League has shaped civic leadership in Austin for more than a century. That kind of legacy carries both pride and responsibility.
“Legacy doesn’t mean standing still, but growth according to core values,” Reiter says. “We’ve held true to our commitment to the youth of our community.”
Recent initiatives reflect that evolution. The AU40 Winners’ Community extends relationships long after trophies are handed out, connecting leaders across 26 years of award classes. And the newly formed Advisory Board brings past chairs and winners into strategic conversations, ensuring heritage and innovation move forward simultaneously.
In a city evolving at lightning speed, AU40 is doing something deceptively powerful: building continuity.
The Road Ahead, Five Years From Now…
Reiter hopes the 2026 finalists will continue to cross-pollinate industries and ideas.
“Our 18 different categories bring together leaders from many different industries and corners of our city,” he says. “It’s not uncommon to see collaborations borne out of the Austin Under 40 experience.”
And if that happens, if today’s finalists become tomorrow’s mentors, then the theme will have done its job.
When asked to finish the sentence: Austin shines brightest when… both chairs answer without hesitation: “We amplify the stories of those who are leading from the front, so they can serve as a model and an inspiration for the next generation.”
And just like that, the glow feels less like neon and more like legacy.
For information on how to attend the event on May 9th, and to support Austin Under 40 and Austin Sunshine Camps, visit here.
10 Reasons Austin Under 40 Is Lighting the Way in 2026
1. It Celebrates 90 of Austin’s Brightest Leaders
Across 18 categories, the Austin Under 40 Awards recognize rising stars who are shaping industries — and the city itself.
2. The 2026 Theme Is “Illuminating Austin”
This year’s focus highlights leaders who act as beacons, guiding the next generation forward through mentorship, service, and bold civic engagement.
3. It Honors Both Professional Excellence and Community Impact
In a fast-moving, tech-driven city, AU40 spotlights leaders whose volunteer and civic contributions are just as powerful as their résumés.
4. The Gala Benefits a Century-Old Civic Legacy
Proceeds support the Young Men’s Business League, which has helped shape Austin’s leadership landscape for more than 100 years.
5. It Directly Funds Life-Changing Summer Camp Experiences
Funds raised benefit Austin Sunshine Camps, providing transformational 10-day overnight camp experiences for Austin youth.
6. $1,500 Can Change a Child’s Life
At an impressively efficient cost per camper, gala funds can send 75 children to camp, building confidence, independence, and lifelong leadership skills.
7. Mentorship Is at the Heart of the Mission
From seasoned executives to first-time finalists, AU40 creates powerful mentor relationships that multiply long-term impact.
8. It Builds Cross-Industry Collaboration
With finalists spanning diverse fields, the awards spark connections that often lead to innovative partnerships and civic initiatives.
9. The Impact Extends Beyond One Night
Through the AU40 Winners’ Community and the newly formed Advisory Board, leadership development continues long after the trophies are handed out.
10. It Reminds Austin What Truly Makes It Shine
At its core, Austin Under 40 proves that the city’s brightest light isn’t found in neon; it’s found in people willing to lead, serve, and uplift others.
