News

The University of Georgia has named its 40 Under 40 Class of 2025, recognizing a group of young alumni based on their personal, professional and philanthropic achievements. This year’s group includes UGA graduates across various industries, including professional sports, oncological medicine, space exploration and more.

The honorees will be recognized during the annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon on campus in September.

“Every year, the 40 Under 40 honorees are some of the most talented and compelling Bulldogs who are doing truly amazing things for their communities,” said Adam Roell, executive director of alumni relations. “Meeting them and learning their stories just shows how this university prepares our alumni to accomplish great things.”

The 40 Under 40 Class of 2025, including graduation year(s) from UGA, city, title and employer, are:

• Caleb Ashmore Adams (BS ’18, MS ’20), San Francisco; project manager, NASA Ames Research Center
• Darren Anglin (ABJ ’16), Atlanta; global human resources director, Johnson Controls
• Mike Barry (AB ’10, AB ’10), Nashville, Tennessee; senior counsel, Nissan North America, Inc.
• Shelby Bice (BSAE ’15), Peachtree City, Georgia; chief of staff to the president and CEO, Georgia Power
• Dave Bliss (AB ’07, BBA ’08), Oklahoma City, assistant coach; Oklahoma City Thunder
• Alex T. Bradford (AB ’10), Macon, Georgia; director of public policy, Georgia Farm Bureau
• Jemelleh Coes (PHD ’18), Athens, Georgia; director of Teacher Leadership Programs, Mount Holyoke College
• Matt Donato (PHARMD ’14), Brunswick, Georgia; CEO, Golden Isles Pharmacy
• Nic Fink (BSAE ’16), Dallas; project manager, Quanta Utilities Engineering Services
• Shane P. Foye (BBA ’15), Peachtree Corners, Georgia; president, DW1
• Kate Haslam (BBA ’10), Savannah, Georgia; principal, Baker Tilly
• Sam Hatcher (JD ’20), Atlanta; executive counsel, Office of the Governor of Georgia
• Nick Hendricks (BBA ’09), Atlanta; senior vice president, IMA Financial Group
• Dorris Hyer (PHARMD ’12), Windermere, Florida; co-owner and pharmacist, King’s Pharmacy
• Curt A. Jackson (BLA ’09), Atlanta; director of landscape architecture, W&A Engineering
• Jordan Layson (AB ’09), Washington, D.C.; senior director of U.S. Government Affairs, Amgen
• Caroline Lewallen (BSA ’11), Clarkesville, Georgia; owner and lead steakholder, teXga Farms
• Mackenzie Long (DVM ’18), Athens, Georgia; assistant professor of veterinary clinical pathology, University of Georgia College of Veterinary Medicine
• Mike Macdonald (BBA ’10, MS ’13), Redmond, Washington; head coach, Seattle Seahawks
• Alia C. Martinez (BBA ’10, MBA ’17), Smyrna, Georgia; senior platform manager, Chick-fil-A
• Sarah K. Merkel (BS ’15), Tampa, Florida; breast surgical oncologist, Yale School of Medicine
• Shannon Milan (BSCHEM ’10), Lithonia, Georgia; pharmacologist, U.S. Food and Drug Administration
• Avery Monthero (BSFCS ’17), Atlanta; sales account executive, Delta Air Lines
• Philip C. Mote (AB ’11, BS ’11), Estero, Florida; primary care pediatrics physician, Lee Health
• Roya Naghepour (AB ’19, JD ’22), Atlanta; attorney, Alston & Bird LLP
• Charles Orgbon III (BSES ’18), Oakland, California; climate change and sustainability services manager, EY
• Ines Owens (AB ’10, AB ’10), Woodstock, Georgia; policy and communications director, Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
• Mike Rafi (JD ’11), Atlanta; attorney, Rafi Law Firm
• Jesslyn Rollins (AB ’15, AB ’15), Marietta, Georgia; CEO, BIOLYTE
• Colby Ruiz (BSA ’15), Hahira, Georgia; vascular surgeon, South Georgia Medical Center
• Harry Sanders III (BSFR ’14), Danville, Georgia; owner, Sanders Logging Inc.
• Ryan Scates (AB ’10, JD ’13), St. Simons Island, Georgia; attorney, Hall Booth Smith, PC
• Macy Sirmans Holmes (ABJ ’13), London; travel and home marketing director, Condé Nast
• Caroline Stelling (BSES ’11), Marietta, Georgia; managing director, Montrose Environmental Group
• Tyson Strickland (BSA ’11, DVM ’16), Comer, Georgia; founder and CEO, Custom Livestock Solutions, LLC
• E. Spencer Tolley (BSED ’11), Athens, Georgia; attorney, Cook & Tolley, LLP
• Kelly Vaughn (BS ’12, MPH ’14, MSW ’14), Smyrna, Georgia; engineering senior manager, Zapier
• Joe Vaughn (BSFR ’16), Jefferson, Georgia; professional services manager, F&W Forestry
• Brian W. Watts (BS ’11), Washington, D.C.; data and research officer, The Pew Charitable Trusts
• D. Harley Yancey IV (BBA ’11, JD ’15), Rome, Georgia; president, State Mutual Insurance Company

From February through March, hundreds of nominations poured in for this year’s 40 Under 40. To be considered, nominees must be UGA alumni who embody the three guiding principles of the Arch: wisdom, justice and moderation. Full eligibility details and more information on this year’s class can be found on the UGA Alumni website.

“It’s an honor to recognize these honorees and all the work they have done,” Roell said. “Every one of them deserves to be celebrated, and we are pleased to welcome them back to campus to do so.”