Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce announces 2025 40 Under 40 honorees
WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce has announced the recipients of the 2025 40 Under 40 Awards.
The honor recognizes outstanding young professionals under the age of 40 who demonstrate exceptional leadership, innovation, and community service within Brunswick, New Hanover, and Pender counties.
Now in its seventh year, the program highlights individuals who are making significant contributions to their organizations and the broader community.
2025 40 Under 40 Honorees:
Gus Aretakis, LS3P Associates
Roy Badillo, US Cellular
Zachary Brigman, Embassy Suites Hilton Wilmington Riverfront
Justin Burgess, CFP, Copley Investment Management
Kevin Burnett, GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy
Morgan Burns, Airlink Vitalink
Chris Capone, Capone & Associates LLC
Madison Carlos, Live Oak Bank
Christina Cress, Ward and Smith, PLLC
Justin DeNicola, Terracon
Evan Dressel, MBA, PMP, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare
Lauren Edwards, City of Wilmington
Elizabeth Felts, New Hanover County Schools
Shanreika Freeman-Cooper, Boys & Girls Club of SENC
Brenda George, Wilmington Area Rebuilding Ministries (WARM NC)
Candace Guido, nCino
Andy Harrison, University of North Carolina Wilmington
Andrew Hewitt, A|C Hewitt
Ben Jacobson, CISA, EARNEY Accountants & Advisors
Alicia Kuna, Modern Aviation
Mireya Lupercio, MSW, LCSW, Community Counseling Center
Corey Maarschalk, YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina
Britney Melvin, New Hanover County Fire Rescue
Meghan Merritt, YMCA of Southeastern North Carolina
Eileen O’Malley, The Endowment
Jordan Pettid, City of Wilmington – Fire Department
Maddie Pope, Blue & Green Concepts
Alex Riley, New Hanover County
Hannah Salefsky, PA-C, Wilmington Health
Derek Schmidt, SWELL Systems, Inc. & DesignLoud
Rebecca Schwartz DNP, APRN, FNP-C, Wilmington Health
Elizabeth Severt, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority
Drew Smith, Copiers Plus
Lydia Thomas, University of North Carolina Wilmington Center for Innovation and Entrepreneurship
Craig Wagner, Welcome Home Angel
Hannah Warren, Cape Fear Commercial
Shay Webb, M.S., Merck
Zachary Welch, EmergeOrtho – Coastal Region
Stephen White, Thomas Construction Group
Jason Windham, Maus, Warwick, Matthews & Co.
The Greater Wilmington Chamber of Commerce said honorees are selected based on their professional accomplishments and commitment to community engagement by a selection committee.
A panel of judges, comprised of chamber leadership, previous award winners, local business leaders, and government partners, reviewed all submissions to select the final recipients.
The annual awards ceremony will take place on Wednesday, October 1 from 5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
