Meet UGA’s 40 Under 40 Class of 2025
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), Saint 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
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
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,” said Roell. “Every one of them deserves to be celebrated and we are pleased to welcome them back to campus to do so.”