The pain, uncertainty and immense amount of loss thus far wreaked by the COVID-19 pandemic has, in many cases, resulted in a call to action.
The efforts of this year’s class of 40 Under 40 represent the many ways people came together, found new opportunities to make a difference and unearthed creativity they may not have otherwise.
Leighann Bacher started a Facebook group that resulted in thousands getting access to vaccines; Kacy McGill and Taylor Stessney started a Facebook group for restaurant workers aid that’s now a certified nonprofit. Carlos Carmona left his corporate job to become the disaster program manager at the American Red Cross.
Then there were members of this year’s class whose work, by definition, already focused on helping the most vulnerable: doctors such as Maya Ragavan or food rescuers like Mel Cronin; for them, the pandemic brought new challenges to their chosen industries.
But no matter if the pandemic directly or indirectly influenced them, they all have one thing in common: a work ethic that has only become stronger in the face of adversity.
This is the 2021 Class of 40 Under 40.
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Arush Kalra (39)
"As important as it is to be successful and use your brains to build excellent solutions, it is also equally important to coach the future generation so they can build on what you built."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Gina Govojdean (35)
"I think I have realized that the single most rewarding thing in being in business is really believing in people and inspiring them to achieve great things."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Jessica Gurley (38)
"It's a domino effect. Helping one individual helps the family, and then the family ultimately can help the community."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Lydia Guthrie (36)
"I'd like to think I was helpful in improving people's lives, whether that's through mentoring or people benefiting from an organization I'm involved with."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Katrina Holdren
"There's good and there's bad but when you have a passion for what you do, it makes it easier to get through rough days, rough times and more stressful times."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Marissa Escajeda (36)
"All of my work has always led to how I can better support folks who don't have the resources to succeed in the society we currently live in."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Jeff Betten (39)
"I feel like I’m where I belong when I’m helping fellow Pittsburghers create their music so they can continue to further their dreams."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Sophia Choukas-Bradley (39)
"My dream has always been to reach a broad audience rather than live in my academic silo."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Diarra Imani Clarke (28)
"I think humans are the worst and best part of humanity, so I like to bet on the best part and keep developing that part."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Nelson Cooper IV (30)
"I want to use my platform to help uplift others, particularly in underrepresented communities."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Danielle DeWitt (39)
"Sharing what I love about organizations that have a deep mission and supporting community is just something that really sparks my soul."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Jamilah Ducar (39)
"We have these amazing sets of resources that are already existing at the university and our team really serves as a sense of navigation and connection to be sure they’re connected into our city."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Chris Dunkers (33)
"I am lucky enough to say I use my degree every single day and continue to pass that on."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Sara Innamorato (39)
"My goal in life is very simple: It’s to help people. It’s to make a positive difference in the world."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Benjamin Luczak (38)
"I always hope to leave a place in a better position than whenever I came into it, that the community and organization is better off from my service."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: James Manning (36)
"As an educator, as a person, as an artist here in the city of Pittsburgh, my goal has always been to focus on inclusion, accessibility in a safe space, through creative freedom."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Sarah Linder Marx (31)
"You may be the only person showing them any kindness or dignity even if they haven’t been found guilty of anything."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Derrick Maultsby Jr. (31)
"I've been given certain gifts and opportunities and resources, and it is motivating to me to ensure that I'm able to share those things and contribute to creating avenues for folks that look like me and have similar backgrounds and similar obstacles in their way."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Ariel Meadows (35)
"I believe in order to understand the community, you need to actively serve the community."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Rachel Antin (39)
"In a time that could be dark, we create some light."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Jimyse Lyn Brown (33)
"There's always a way with the right people, with the right education, with the right support — and going into it with an open mind and with a genuine heart."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Keratiloe Sishoma Mogotsi (39)
"You only remember the teachers that had an impact on you; I always want to be that. I want to be that warmth and sunshine to all the people I interact with."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Zoe Peckich (29)
"I love what I do. I think feeding people is a love language for myself."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Zeke Rediker (38)
"Fundamentally, I see it as part of my mission to help Pittsburgh become a city that offers meaningful opportunities for all people — but especially for kids and families."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Teona Ringgold (28)
"I love being really hands-on in the community and giving back in all the ways that I can."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Kelsey Ripper (39)
"I really love Pittsburgh, and think there's so much value here, and I wanted to be a part of rethinking what the future of Pittsburgh would look like, and then actually working to make that a reality."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Jaleah N. Robinson (39)
"Just one person can change the trajectory of a young person’s life. For me, I am energized by teaching. I am passionate about the field, and I think it is one of the most challenging and worthy professions there is."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Brenden Rogers (39)
"While it may seem scary, it is a lot easier than you might think to make a change and make a difference."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Ryan Rydzewski (38)
"It took a long time for me to realize that this thing I always wanted to do is doable, but you need somebody to show you what the available pathways are."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Samantha Shinsky (37)
"We are about doing what’s good for kids."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Katie M. Shipp (38)
"Once you know how awful [sexual abuse] is, you have to do something about it."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Andrea Jacobs Stevens (39)
"I do hope that my students that have come through Penn State can say, ‘She helped me do one thing.’"
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Halle Stockton (39)
"Recognizing that we can all bring something to the table is just very powerful and helps us all to actually fulfill a mission of making local journalism be something that's not stiff or intimidating, but something that people want to talk about."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Rhonda Strozier (32)
"I want to put the community back in community development."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Maisie Taibbi (32)
"I hope to be known for: There was some purpose to be served and, on occasion, I met it. Sometimes, quite simply, I was able to be a hand in a dark room, and that is all."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Debra Titus (39)
"I want to be a leader of leaders to help pour into them those same types of tenets, those same types of principles that I live by."
2025 40 Under 40 Honoree: Brian Urban (39)
"I’ve always thought if you have the ability to do something, you have to do it."
