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Emerging Leaders Under 40
Date & Time
Event Location
South Carolina’s Future Leaders. One Statewide Stage.
Previously known as Forty Under 40, SCBIZ’s Emerging Leaders Under 40 is the next evolution of one of South Carolina’s most respected professional recognition programs—expanded to honor rising leaders from across the entire state.
South Carolina’s business community has evolved and so has this program. What was once regional is now statewide—creating a broader, more powerful platform that recognizes the exceptional professionals under 40 who are driving business success, innovation, and meaningful community impact across South Carolina.
Same prestige. Greater reach. Bigger impact.
Why Participate in Emerging Leaders Under 40?
Statewide Visibility
Stand out beyond your local market and gain recognition across South Carolina’s broader business landscape.
Expanded Prestige
This is more than a list—it’s a curated recognition of the professionals helping define what’s next for business in South Carolina.
Powerful Personal Brand Recognition
Elevate your credibility, expand your influence, and position yourself—or your nominee—as a leader to watch.
Who Should Be Nominated?
Emerging Leaders Under 40 recognizes South Carolina professionals under the age of 40 who are:
- Must demonstrate significant professional accomplishment within your category as well as strong civic commitment in our community;
- Must be employed in South Carolina and not be a previous honoree;
- Must be 39 years of age or younger by February 28 of the event year; and
- May be self-nominated or nominated by another person.
South Carolina’s Next Generation Starts Here.
Nominate an emerging leader today—or apply for yourself—and be recognized among the professionals shaping South Carolina’s future
Nomination Deadline: July 31, 2026
Application Deadline: August 14, 2026
Save the Date
October 20, 2026
4:30pm to 7:30pm
Location:
Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center
1101 Lincoln St.
Columbia SC 29201
If you have questions about this awards event, please email [email protected]
What is the nomination process and the steps to take?
Once the online nomination form is completed an automated email will be sent to the individual nominated (the email address entered in the “Nominee Email” field) and a submission receipt will be sent to the email placed in the “Nominator’s Email” field.
In order for the nominee to continue with the process they must fill out the application form by the application deadline listed in the automated email and on the corresponding event landing page.
We also recommend submitting up to three letters of recommendation to https://scbiz.com/scbiz-letters-of-recommendation-submission-form/ by the application deadline to be included in the nominee’s judging packet as supporting materials. This is not a requirement, but an added benefit.
How can I be considered for the Emerging Leaders Under 40 award?
In order to be considered, candidates:
- Must demonstrate significant professional accomplishment within your category as well as strong civic commitment in our community;
- Must be employed in South Carolina
- Must be 39 years of age or younger by June 30 of the event year; and
- May be self-nominated or nominated by another person.
While anyone can nominate, we recommend nominations come from a senior leader in the candidate’s organization or another member of the non-profit board the candidate sits on. It is then required that the nominee go through the entire application process, please see above response for more details on that.
Who are the judges and what are they looking for when selecting the Emerging Leaders Under 40?
A panel of judges consisting of prior year honorees from different professions select the current year Emerging Leaders Under 40 honorees through a judging process. It is essential that the candidate prove a combination of excelling professionally and making significant contributions in the community. It is helpful to have at least one letter of recommendation from someone that can speak to both of these achievements.
Do the winners have to say something?
Winners do not speak live during the event, but will be contacted to be profiled in a multi-media video that will be aired during the event.
If I’m a honoree, do I need to purchase a ticket?
You do not need to purchase a ticket for yourself as an honoree. All other attendees must purchase a ticket. Sponsorship packages are available to purchase for those wanting large groups of tickets and additional benefits.
Can I buy an ad in the publication?
The Emerging Leaders Under 40 program is supported through sponsorships. The ads you see in the magazine are part of the sponsorship packages.
Contact [email protected] if you have any questions.
2025 Forty Under 40 Honorees
Charleston 2025 Forty Under 40 Honorees
Carolyn Barnick, DXC Technology
Ford Blanchard, Elliott Davis Advisory, LLC
Caquisha (CT) Burton, Coastal Community Foundation
Stephen Chandler, Summerville Medical Center
Dyrell D. Clark, Reading Partners South Carolina
Billy Cooke, Holder Properties
Harrison Creason, Marcus & Millichap
Kelsie Davis, South Carolina Research Authority
Rachel Davis, Matchstick Social
Lance Fletcher, The Charleston RiverDogs
Tyler Wright Friedman, Walk and Talk Charleston
Bijan K. Ghom, Saxton & Stump / Palq IP
Kellen Goodell, Charleston Parks Conservancy
Tripp Grooms, MUSC Health
Destiny Hall, LBE, Inc.
Molly Hall, Attorney & Sales Executive
Jose Hardman, AJ Construction and Remodeling
Alex Jackson, Naval Information Warfare Center Atlantic
Markita Kintzer, South Carolina Federal Credit Union
Alexis Kondratyk, Turner Construction Company
Bruno Kretzschmar, Apex Volleyball
Stuart Longley, Agile Cloud Consulting
Adrian Lorduy, BuenaVista Information Systems
Ruth McTighe, M.D., Waccamaw Dermatology
Amanda Metzger, YMCA of the USA
Cameron Moskos, PA-C, Cameo Facial Aesthetics
Erin Pacitti, Boundless Marketing Co.
Ryan S. Rhodes, M.D., Orangeburg Eye Center
Thomas Robbins, Robbins Construction Group
Erica Ryan, Booz Allen Hamilton
Tanisha Seraphin, Trident Technical College
Genna Shelnutt, Buffalo Groupe
Madison Spray, Southern First Bank
Lawson Still, CBI Workplace Solutions
William R. Stroud, Moore & Van Allen PLLC
Mary Tran, Liollio Architecture
Jeffrey Ward, The Thumbs Up Guys – Miller, Dawson, Sigal & Ward, LLC
David White Jr., R3 Inc
David Williams, Thomas & Hutton
Daniel Woodcock, Peacock Social
Columbia 2025 Forty Under 40 Honorees
Tyler D. Bailey, City of Columbia, SC / Bailey Law Firm, LLC
Kenzie Baldwin, Greystar
Justin Bamberg, Bamberg Legal, LLC
Travis Basnett, PE, Hussey Gay Bell
Kewan Beebe, Beebe Luxury Auto Detail
Hilary Dyer Brannon, University of South Carolina
Amy Brower, Brower Casting
Gavin Brown, Midlands Housing Alliance dba Transitions Homeless Center
John C. Bruton III, Maynard Nexsen PC
Ben Calhoun, Turner Padget
Dr. Damaris Collier, Bela Family Dentistry of White Knoll
Taylor E. Davis, Carolina Family Wellness Collaborative
Adam DeLoach, Lexington Medical Center
Kelly Dillihay, PricewaterhouseCoopers
Beth Frost, Cohn Construction
Lesley Gadson, Merrill Lynch Wealth Management
John Givens III, Construction Dynamics Inc
Grant Herig, Thompson Turner Construction
Olivia Hyatt, Flock and Rally
Vanity Y. Jenkins, ShiftED Consulting
William Jeter, Abacus Planning Group, Inc
Katie Kennedy, USO South Carolina
Nakendra Kinard, Glow Counseling & Consulting, LLC / Lexington Richland School District 5
Christopher Leventis, Level Financial Group
John Li, Charter Institute at Erskine
Dallas Massey, PE, Massey Engineering
Austin McVay, United Community Bank
Paul Medlin, Bauknight Pietras & Stormer, P.A.
Patrick Meek, Harsco Rail (Enviri Corporation)
Shayla Merritt, Cyberwoven
Zakiya Mickle, The Ubuntu Collective
Scottie Newman, Civil Engineering of Columbia (CEC)
Hannah Norman, Real Broker LLC
Punam Patel, Scout Motors
Danielle “Dani” Peeler, South Carolina Automobile Dealers Association
Anna Peterson, USC Business Partnership Foundation
Katherine Progler, University of South Carolina Veterans and Military Affairs
Sarah Sinclair, LinenMaster
Naomi Walton, Columbia Chamber of Commerce
GSA 2025 Forty Under 40 Honorees
Tanner Backman, Goodwyn Mills Cawood
Patrick Bailey, SC Launch Inc.
Kendall Bateman, Marchant Bateman Co.
Jenna Bates, JPMorgan Chase
Ava Braatz, Fox Carolina
Lance Byars, Colliers
Racquel Collier, Caliber Real Estate
Nikki Cooper, Truliant Federal Credit Union
Lori Costello, Kopis
Kate Dabbs, TealHaus
Shelby Dodson, CBRE
Ashley Eisenbrown, Poinsett Club
Trevor Finley, Huntington Ingalls Industries
Jade Fountain, YoPro Know
Anthony F. Gallo III, The Gallo Company
Anna-Grace Galloway, Greenville Chamber of Commerce
Kevin Gillenwater, Trehel
Matt Hodgin, Bon Secours Wellness Arena
Adam Jennings, VisitGreenvilleSC
Kyle Keene, Keene Development Group
Clayton Koch, Wagner Wealth Management
Bryant Lambert, Crawford
Katlyn Larrieu, Make-A-Wish South Carolina
Kailey Lee, Bliss Beauty Aesthetics & Wellness
Daniel Lovelace, Barista Alley Coffee Co.
Atticus Mabry, Oasis Animal Hospital and Emergency Center
Michael McAbee, Fifth Third Bank
Laura Nicholas, Centre Stage
Adelyn Nottingham, American Heart Association
Cesar Salas, Hispanic Alliance of SC
Dane Simmons, Run In
Jordan Skellie, Lee & Associates
Melissa Slater, Hughes Agency
Tripp Taylor, Reedy Property Group
Payne Thomas, Metromont
Caitlin Walker, Maynard Nexsen
Karee White, AtchleyWhite + Associates
Ed Williams, AssuredPartners
Meg Wilson, The Turner Agency, Inc.
Mallory Winter, TD Bank
Click here to view and purchase photos from the 2025 Charleston Forty Under 40 Awards Celebration
Click here to view and purchase photos from the 2025 CRBR Forty Under 40 Awards Celebration
Click here to view and purchase photos from the 2025 GSA Women of Influence Forty Under 40
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