WTVP’s 40 Leaders Under Forty is a long-standing program recognizing local young leaders who have made a significant contribution to the well-being, health and vibrancy of central Illinois. Each year, a new class is added to the roster, building on the strength of previous classes and projecting hope for the future.

Thank you to everyone that joined us for an incredible evening celebrating our 2025 class of 40 Leaders Under Forty.  We are especially grateful to our sponsors and event partners.

Nominations for the class of 2026 will open on September 1, 2025.  Make sure to check back for more details. 

CLA (Clifton Larson Allen)
Prairie Home Alliance
INB
Jimax, Peoria, IL
Beltone
WTVP Board of Directors
Peoria Vein Center
West Central Illinois Building 
& Construction Trades
Plumbers Local Union 63
St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
Morton Community Bank
Easterseals Central Illinois
Peoria Ear, Nose, & Throat
Picket Fence Foundation
Heart of Illinois United Way
Echo Valley Meats

Row 1: Rilla Adcock, Caleb Aeschliman, Temi Akinlua, Jaleesha Allen, Laura Burke, Amanda Campbell, Alex Carmona, Kate Carter, Molly Copher, & Rozana Dwyer.

Row 2: Lauren Emanuelson, Melissa Entzminger, Katie Fitch, Ryan Funk, Jason Garber, Dave Gleissner, Josh Graham, William Grant, Justin Green, & Shilpa Hari.

Row 3: Frannie Heine, Molly Hogeboom, Laurel Huston, Megan Hutton, Nick Knuffman-Brewer, Gabrielle Kolditz, James Kosner, Adam Larck, Dave Maroon, Jr., & Diamond Matthews.

Row 4: Derek Oddo, Sarah Polnitz, Zach Ponder, Luke Rosenbohm, Gina Seghetti, Kelsey Staley, Patricia Starkey, Bill Sullivan, Lindsey Swischuk, & Mike Whittle.

Since 1994, young leaders in central Illinois have been recognized for their impact in business and the community through 40 Leaders Under Forty. Many of these leaders continue to invest in the region, enabling it to grow, thrive and become an outstanding place to live. Below, you'll find pictures of the many alumni of this important program. 

Row 1: Pierre Anyansi, Alexander Bousky, Brett Brooks, Nickolas Connor, Raquel Dagit, Everley Davis, Adam Donahoe, Marissa Draney, Mariam Ford, Ryan Foster

Row 2: Baylee J Gambetti, Ben Getz, Jona Hall, Michelle Hayes, Francie Hinrichsen, Ronnie Hudson II, Danni Jepson, Lexi Kaiser, Alicia Kamischke, Kerry Klesath

Row 3: Devon Knobloch, Brett D. Kolditz, Dr. Kimberly Ku, Alexandria Lavin, Reagan Leslie, Lisa Martin, Michaura Michale Pittman, Claudia Plumer, Dr. Nicole Rau, Liridon Rrushaj

Row 4: Josh Schnauber, Maxwell Schneider, Adam Shaw, Jami Truelove, Pat Venditte, Christina Walker, Judy Wang, Michael Winters, Jr., Michelle Wolfe, Dr. Charlie Zimmerman 

Row 1: Reema Abi-Akar, David Aduama, Dr. Aline Azar, Brynne Behringer, Sara Caruso, Jenna Cicciarelli Wiesner, Jessica Clark, Abby A. Cotta, Brent Cross, Nicole Hayse

Row 2: Heather Himstedt, Carolina Huser, Samira Kashem, Chad R. Kirkenmeier, Andrew Kitterman, Stephen Anthony Kouri II, Courtney Lee, Ryan J. Lucas, Ryan Luginbuhl, Lauren McBain 

Row 3: Megan McGann, Dalton Mellon, Daniel Meminger, Daniel Mikos, Bobby Murray, Danny Phelan, Jacobie Proctor, Trent Reeise, Lisa Repper, Kara Roat 

Row 4: Christina Robinson, Matt Rupert, Andrea Schaidle, Rajendhar Uddavolu, Lacy Wall, Luke Wolff, Caleb Wyss, Manajyoti Yadav, Celsy Young, Zac Zetterberg  

Row 1: Nicholas Baker, Zack Baker, Kendra Moultrie-Belk, Taryn Bradley, Andrew Chambers, Peter Chambers, Dr. Surya Teja Chaturvedula, Manuel Angel Cintron, Stephanie Schachtrup Coad, Lauren Dalfonso

Row 2: Lacey Jaye Dilbeck, LaKeisha Faggett, Nathan Frank, Kate Green, Keith Hanson, Arius Hounwanou, Christopher J. Jump, Renae Stenger Kerrigan, J. Scott Kriegsman, Cole McDaniel

Row 3: Aaron McLean, Ryne E. Meardy, Dr. Brinda Mehta, Mitch Johnson, Spencer Null, Heather M. Bean Oyler, Zachary M. Oyler, Scott Phegley, Kari Rauh, Frances Reyes

Row 4: Shelbey Simone Roberts, Jay H. Scholl, Shelley Sharpe, Tim Shelley, Timothy W. Spears, Hank Stickelmaier, Laura Sutter, Mikayla R. Vincent, Andrew Weeks, Dr. Ashley L. Whitlatch