Greg Monterrosa Receives the Economic Empowerment Award at Thrive Together 2025

We are excited to share some big news with our Milk Room community:
Our founder, Greg Monterrosa, has been selected as the winner of the Economic Empowerment Award for Thrive Together 2025, hosted by City Impact, Inc. This recognition honors leaders who are creating real opportunity, helping people build futures through creativity, entrepreneurship, and community engagement.

For anyone who knows Greg, this honor makes perfect sense. His life’s work has been grounded in lifting others up, opening doors, and making sure success is something everyone can access, not just those with the “right” background or connections.

City Impact, Inc.: A Foundation for Community Growth

City Impact, Inc. has been serving the Greater Ventura County community for more than 30 years, working directly with youth, families, and underserved neighborhoods. Their programs focus on mentorship, leadership development, education, and creating stable, supportive environments where young people can thrive.

The Thrive Together Awards were created to spotlight individuals who live out those values in their own communities, people who aren’t just achieving success, but using that success to empower others.
This year, they chose Greg for the Economic Empowerment Award because his work aligns deeply with City Impact’s mission: strengthen the community by strengthening the people in it.

Rooted in Community, Grown Through Service

Greg’s impact stretches far beyond Milk Room. His leadership shows up across Ventura County and the Conejo Valley:

🟦 Chair, Conejo/Las Virgenes Future Foundation

Helping shape the long-term vision for regional wellbeing, civic leadership, and economic vitality.

🟦 Mentor, Oneday 

His mentorship has touched over3,000 unique founders, helping them validate ideas, launch businesses, build traction, and discover the confidence to move from “dreaming” to “doing.”

🟦Executive in Residence, Los Angeles Cleantech Incubator (LACI)

At LACI, Greg has supported founders in cleantech, mobility, and climate innovation, offering hands-on guidance in fundraising, customer discovery, and early-stage growth.

🟦 Ventura County Leadership Academy – Cohort 31

Collaborating with educators, civic leaders, and nonprofit directors to build a stronger Ventura County for future generations.

🟦 Co-Founder at Hub101

Greg was one of the early founders and driving forces behind Hub101, helping transform it from an idea into a thriving startup and innovation ecosystem. During his time there, he led workshops, coached founders, and built programs that supported more than 300 early-stage entrepreneurs across Ventura County and the Conejo Valley. His leadership helped shape Hub101 into the community launchpad it’s known as today.

🟦 Former Board Member, Museum of Ventura County

Supporting the preservation and amplification of local arts, culture, and community stories.

These roles reflect one theme:
Greg shows up where the community needs him.

Why This Award Truly Matters

The Economic Empowerment Award celebrates leaders who help others advance, financially, creatively, and personally. Greg has spent years doing exactly that.

Whether it’s giving a young designer their first slot at Milk Room, mentoring a founder who feels stuck, or helping students see entrepreneurship as a real pathway, Greg’s work has measurable, real-world impact.

The Heart and Soul of Milk Room

Milk Room began with a simple belief:
Creativity is a tool for empowerment.

Today, Milk Room is:

• A launchpad for emerging designers

• A sustainable fashion hub

• A home for upcycling culture

• A creative incubator for young talent

• A space where people discover their own potential

This award reinforces that Milk Room is more than a shop, it’s a community engine.

A Message From Greg Monterrosa

“I grew up surrounded by entrepreneurs, I just didn’t know that’s what they were. My grandmother selling tamales, my mom running her salon, me sweeping hair and watching her take care of her customers. Those early experiences shaped everything. Receiving this award from City Impact means a lot because it represents the effort of the entire community, creatives, and every young founder trying to build something. I’m honored, and I’m excited for everything we’re building next.”

Looking Ahead

This recognition fuels the next chapter for Greg and for Milk Room:

• More mentorship and youth-focused entrepreneurship programs

• More sustainable, community-made fashion

• More support for emerging artists and designers

• More collaboration with local institutions

• More storytelling that challenges and inspires

We’re proud of Greg Monterrosa not just for this award, but for the way he consistently brings people together.

About Milk Room

Milk Room is a community-driven streetwear and creative marketplace dedicated to empowering independent artists, designers, and founders. Built on sustainability, collaboration, and culture, Milk Room creates economic pathways for the next generation across Los Angeles and Ventura County.