Leadership
Guiding people and organizations toward meaningful progress.
The 2026 Celebration
Revisit the evening that honored the region's next generation of leaders.
Celebrated August 1, 2026 · Holy Trinity Episcopal Church, Fayetteville NC.
Fayetteville's 40 Under 40
Recognizing the Leaders Shaping Our Region
Fayetteville’s 40 Under 40 recognizes emerging leaders whose service, innovation, creativity, and commitment are making a meaningful impact across southeastern North Carolina.
A Regional Leadership InitiativeCelebrating emerging leaders since 2011
0Honorees Annually
0Years of Celebration
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The Initiative
About Fayetteville’s 40 Under 40
Fayetteville’s 40 Under 40 was launched in 2011 to recognize emerging leaders making a difference throughout our region. The initiative celebrates individuals under the age of 40 whose professional achievements, community service, leadership, and vision are helping shape a stronger future.
Honorees represent a wide range of industries, organizations, and communities, but they share a commitment to using their talents and influence to create meaningful change.
Regional Reach
Eight counties. Forty leaders. One growing legacy.
Serving Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, and Sampson counties.
Shared Impact
What We Celebrate
Community Service
Giving time, talent, and care to strengthen our region.
Innovation
Creating new ideas and solutions for shared challenges.
Entrepreneurship
Building ventures that expand opportunity and local impact.
Arts and Culture
Enriching community life through creativity and expression.
Education
Helping learners and institutions reach their potential.
Public Service
Serving communities with integrity, purpose, and vision.
Advocacy
Using influence to elevate voices and advance meaningful change.
An Annual Tradition
A New Class. A Lasting Legacy.
Each year, community members are invited to nominate emerging leaders whose work deserves greater recognition. Honorees are selected through an independent review process and celebrated through storytelling, community recognition, and a signature awards experience.
Class of 2026
Meet the Honorees
BusinessNikelle Inman
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessYulai Alavrez-Rodriguez
Class of 2026 Honoree
GovernmentJeremiah S. Moore
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessJessica Brown
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessSabina Crites
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessSade' Wilson
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessJelia Hepner
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessMonica Robbins
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessJoshua Race
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessBrian Rose
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessCrystal McLean
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessChelsey Burnette
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessCharmagne Williams
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessAnastasia Jennings
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessRobert Lee Edwards Jr.
Class of 2026 Honoree
HealthcareDr. Christina Barksdale
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessMichael Glaspie II
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessCamille Little
Class of 2026 Honoree
ArtsJames Throssel
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessHope Littlejohn
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessDa'Nice Green
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessElizabeth Stiff
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessJasmine Jones
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessDaniela Jacobs Daniels
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessDemetria Ward-Richardson
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessKenna Parks
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessJelissa Thomas
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessSean Mack
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessVanessa Iacovone
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessKatie Crawford
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessChristopher Brett Craig
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessMekel Bergschneider
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessKatasha Jarrin
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessMegan Morris
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessTeddy Mason
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessRoger Hunt Jr
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessWilliam "Chad" Shelby
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessJordin Dickerson
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessKrystyna Vinson
Class of 2026 Honoree
BusinessShelly Smith
Class of 2026 Honoree
Full Class of 2026 unveiled · June 29, 2026
Class portraits by Montae Harris (4eignTV) & Aurie Jones (LOL Studios)
Past and Current Classes
Explore the Classes
The Class of 2026 joins a growing legacy of regional leadership. Explore class portraits dating back to the initiative's founding.
Class of
2011
40 Honorees
Class of
2012
40 Honorees
Class of
2013
40 Honorees
Class of
2014
40 Honorees
Class of
2015
40 Honorees
Class of
2016
40 Honorees
Class of
2017
40 Honorees
Class of
2018
40 Honorees
Class of
2019
40 Honorees
Class of
2020
40 Honorees
Class of
2021
40 Honorees
Class of
2022
40 Honorees
Class of
2023
40 Honorees
Class of
2024
40 Honorees
Class of
2025
40 Honorees
Class of
2026
40 Honorees
2026 Class portraits by
Montae Harris (4eignTV) & Aurie Jones (LOL Studios)
FAQ
Questions, Answered
Any professional under the age of 40 who lives or works within the eight-county service area and is making demonstrable impact in their industry, community, or both.
Bladen, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Robeson, and Sampson counties — the full Cape Fear and Sandhills region.
An independent panel of respected regional leaders evaluates every nomination against criteria of professional achievement, leadership, community involvement, innovation, and regional impact.
No. Nominations are free and open to the entire community. We believe great leadership should never be gated by cost.
Nominations open every January and close in March. Honorees are announced annually in late June.
Sponsorship tiers range from event partner to presenting sponsor. Submit the sponsorship inquiry form below and our team will share the current prospectus.
The Next Generation
Recognition That Continues Each Year
Stay connected as Fayetteville’s 40 Under 40 continues to recognize the leaders shaping southeastern North Carolina.
Future nomination dates and annual recognition details will be shared when they are officially announced.