Kiara Colon-Torres Named Finalist for Outstanding Achiever of the Year at the 2025 U.S. Forces in Business Awards
Washington, DC – October 28, 2025 — The Forces in Business Awards, the world’s largest celebration of military veterans in second careers, has officially announced the finalists for its 2025 U.S. edition—and among this year’s honorees is Kiara Colon-Torres, CEO of Esphero LLC DBA Vigilantics and founder of the Angel Real Estate Academy. Kiara has been recognized as a Finalist for Outstanding Achiever of the Year, honoring her exceptional transition from decorated U.S. Air Force veteran to multi-state business leader and advocate for women and underserved communities.
Full list of finalists: https://exforcesinbusiness.co.uk/2025-finalists-usa/
Founded in 2018, the Forces in Business Awards shine a spotlight on veterans who have successfully translated military skills into business excellence. Often described as “the Oscars of veteran employment,” the awards recognize the leadership, resilience, and innovation veterans bring to every sector of the economy. Winners will be announced on December 3, 2025, at a black-tie gala in Washington DC’s Capital Hilton, hosted by NBC News anchor Jummy Olabanji.
About Kiara Colon-Torres
A former U.S. Air Force Staff Sergeant, Kiara has transformed her service-honed leadership into a portfolio of thriving enterprises that merge technology, training, and social impact. Through Vigilantics, her HUBZone-certified consulting firm, she spearheads workforce-development contracts for agencies such as the DC Department of Youth Rehabilitative Services, the Maryland Department of Education, and the DC Mayor’s Office of Veterans Affairs—creating equitable pipelines for women, veterans, and justice-involved youth.
In parallel, Kiara leads as the #1 producing eXp Realty agent in Washington DC, generating more than US $6 million in multi-state transactions (DC, MD, VA, AR, FL & TX) while mentoring twelve new female agents. Her newly launched Angel Real Estate Academy provides bilingual, on-demand courses that teach real-estate investing, sales mastery, and wealth building, empowering hundreds of aspiring women to enter and excel in real estate nationwide.
Her bilingual technology-training initiative, Tech Tuesday®, has reached thousands of learners through 104 consecutive sessions in English and Spanish, earning measurable results—38 promotions, 24 career pivots into IT, and 12 women-owned start-ups launched. Combined with her ServSafe Pipeline, which achieved a 100 percent certification rate for 80 Latina veterans and spouses, Kiara’s programs have infused more than US $9 million into under-represented communities within just 18 months.
Quote from Kiara Colon-Torres
“It’s an honor to stand alongside so many remarkable veterans who continue to serve our nation through business, innovation, and mentorship. The Forces in Business Awards remind the world that military leadership doesn’t end with service—it evolves. Everything I build through Vigilantics and Angel Real Estate Academy exists to open doors for the next generation of women, veterans, and multicultural entrepreneurs.” — Kiara Colon-Torres, CEO of Esphero LLC DBA Vigilantics
About the Forces in Business Awards
The Forces in Business Awards are the world’s largest celebration of veteran success beyond the military, with annual events in London, Glasgow, and Washington, DC. The program has honored more than 2,000 veterans and reservists to date, showcasing how the values of service—integrity, discipline, and teamwork—translate into business excellence. Learn more at exforcesinbusiness.co.uk.