New Mexico State Senator Cindy Nava has been named a recipient of the 2025 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award by the Council of State Governments. This award recognizes the leadership and public service of 20 emerging state officials from across the United States.
Senator Nava expressed her gratitude for the recognition, stating, "This recognition is deeply meaningful because it reflects the values I strive to live every day as a public servant—building bridges across political, and community lines to advance the authentic leadership required to serve during these unprecedented times, the courage to collaborate beyond boundaries, the commitment to deliver tangible results for our communities, and the conviction to champion change that uplifts every New Mexican." She also emphasized sharing this honor with those who believe in collaborative progress.
The CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award was established in 2020 by former New Hampshire Senator Lou D’Allesandro during his tenure as CSG National Chair. The award aims to engage younger state leaders who contribute significantly to their communities while upholding values such as civility and innovation.
David Adkins, CSG executive director/CEO, praised this year's honorees: "This year’s CSG 20 Under 40 honorees are each exceptional leaders in their states. Collectively, they represent the best of America. These young leaders pursue public service with passion, and they understand the value of working collaboratively to get things done. While they have already accomplished a lot, I’m confident these state officials will make a difference for decades to come."
Nava was chosen from a competitive group of applicants who demonstrated excellence in engaging officials across various lines or providing exceptional leadership within their states. A ceremony recognizing the recipients will be held at the CSG National Conference in Chicago from December 9-13.
For more information about the award or to view all recipients for 2025, visit web.csg.org/20-40. Applications for next year's class will reopen in spring 2026.
The Council of State Governments serves all three branches of state government in America and provides opportunities for networking and collaboration among state officials. More details can be found at csg.org.
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