The UGA 40 Under 40 Class of 2025 will be honored at a luncheon in Athens.

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.”