The United Way Emerald Coast announces the 40 young professionals who are making an impact right here on the Emerald Coast. From their workplaces to the communities they serve, this year’s honorees are leading by example and helping make our region an even better place to live, work, and give back.
Thank you to our generous sponsors for helping make this recognition possible: Presenting Sponsor: Florida Power & Light. Event Sponsors: Eglin Federal Credit Union, CHELCO, Publix, and Jay Odom Group. Shoutout to our event vendors: DJ Salty, 1Shot Creations, The Trophy Center Inc, Tap the Coast, and Emerald Coast Vibe.
Want to be part of this year’s 40 Under 40 Awards? Tickets are on sale now, and sponsorship opportunities are still available!
Now say hello to the 2026 40 Under 40 Honorees:
Alex Stephens, 29, Hurlburt Field
Alexandra (Ali) Kent, 24, NAMI Emerald Coast & Fisher House Emerald Coast
Alisha Greenlaw, 35, Satori Counseling
Allyson Anger, 31, Hyatt House Destin
Amber Irons, 38, Florida Department of Health in Okaloosa County
Annalise Dedicke, 27, Frances Roy Agency
Ashly Meza, 27, Marquis Fine Cabinetry
Bailey Rathmann, 30, LJA Engineering
Bryce Hines, 34, Rally Foundation for Childhood Cancer Research
Catie Munns Feeney, 34, Walton County Emergency Management
Corey A Dobridnia, 39, Walton County Sheriff's Office
Courtney Blackerby, 34, The Jay Odom Group
Dani Aylsworth, 38, Caring and Sharing of South Walton
Danica LaFaire, 39, Fish Window Cleaning
Daniel Ordoqui, 38, Fort Walton Beach Police Department
Danielle Pirkle, 28, HCA Florida FWB-Destin
Danielle Prieto, 39, USAF
Deborah Lawson, 38, United Way Emerald Coast
Jacob Hill, 29, City of Fort Walton Beach / Fort Walton Beach Golf Club
Jessica Roberts, 36, Detailed Creative Co.
Jessica Valek, 33, Destin-Fort Walton Beach Tourism Development Department
Josh LeGare, 36, eXp Realty, LLC
Katie Healey, 28, Crestview Animal Services
Logan Browning, 32, FWB City Councilman & FASTSIGNS
Lyndsey Akers, 37, Akers&Co
Maggie Weaver, 34, Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa
Mahallynn Samson, 27, Eglin Federal Credit Union
Makenzi Harris, 23, The United States Department of Defense
Megan Gehlbach, 35, Gypsea Pool and Spa
Melissa Johnson, 35, Trinity United Methodist Church
Mia Mortensen, 34, United Way Emerald Coast
Morgan Zwickel, 31, Sandy Smiles Orthodontics
Phillip Kent, 38, Walton County Sheriff's Office
Roshana Remo, 37, Epique Realty
Sarah Brock, 27, Emerald Coast Children's Advocacy Center
Savannah Stephens, 31, 1st Special Operations Wing, Hurlburt Field
Seth Ewing, 34, Operation Tabletop
Shelby Bassham, 30, Big Kahuna's Water Park
Tiffany Ruckel, 39, The Mind Card
Tyler Wood, 29, CHELCO
