08/26/2026
🎉 20 Under 40 Spotlight: Sasha Klaurens
Meet Sasha Klaurens, one of Topeka’s 20 Under 40 honorees!
Sasha is an owner of Beacon Events, where she helps manage three historic event venues and The Oasis mobile bartending service. From creating memorable celebrations to developing a team passionate about hospitality, Sasha is helping establish Topeka as a destination where people want to gather, celebrate and return.
🎉 Creating reasons to celebrate Topeka:
Sasha believes there’s no reason people should have to leave Topeka to find an incredible event experience. As Beacon Events has grown, so has its ability to give back. In 2025, the business provided more than $44,000 in support through local donations and nonprofit fundraising efforts, helping community organizations reduce event costs and put more of the money they raise directly toward their missions.
❤️ Creating reasons to stay:
As chair-elect of ForgeYoung Talent, Sasha helps young professionals build meaningful relationships with each other and with the Topeka community. She has helped organize more than 30 community events and is leading a volunteer initiative connecting young professionals with local nonprofits. Her philosophy is simple: retention starts with belonging.
🌟 What leadership means to Sasha:
Sasha believes leadership starts with authenticity. She describes herself as a “yes” person who enjoys helping others, building relationships and making people feel comfortable and welcome. Her own decision to leave teaching and pursue a new path taught her that leadership sometimes means having the courage to choose growth over comfort—and then helping others find that same confidence.
Sasha didn’t grow up in Topeka—she chose it. Now she’s helping build the kind of community where others choose to celebrate here, build relationships here, volunteer here and, ultimately, call Topeka home.
👏 Congratulations, Sasha, on being recognized as one of Topeka’s 20 Under 40!
