UGA’s 40 Under 40 spotlights the next generation of leaders
The University of Georgia has selected 40 outstanding alumni under the age of 40 for its 2026 recognition.
Athens, Ga. – The University of Georgia has named its 2026 class of 40 Under 40, honoring young alumni who are making significant contributions in their professions, communities and beyond. Representing industries that range from health care and technology to athletics and the arts, this year’s honorees reflect the breadth and impact of the Bulldog network.
“Our 40 Under 40 honorees remind us how powerful the alumni network can be,” said Lee Zell, executive director of alumni relations. “They are building careers, strengthening communities and opening doors for others, all while staying connected to the university that helped shape them.”
Honorees will return to campus in September to be recognized at the annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon. The 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, including graduation year(s) from UGA, city, title and employer, are:
Cameron Banks (BSHP ’10), Snellville, Georgia; chiropractor and clinical director, AICA Orthopedics
Walker Beard (JD ’13), Atlanta; CEO and partner, Super Canoe
Drake Bernstein (BSED ’11), Athens, Georgia; women’s tennis head coach, University of Georgia Athletic Department
Ward Black (BSA ’09, MS ’11), Commerce, Georgia; owner and CEO, Solid Ground Services & Supply
Dylan Brown (BSME ’19), Atlanta; executive officer, Georgia Air National Guard
Lucas Brown (PHARMD ’14), Tifton, Georgia; co-owner and pharmacist, Friendly City Pharmacy
Nettie E. Brown, (BSBCHE ’18), Lithonia, Georgia; co-founder and CEO, Renalsignal, Inc.
Ellen Clarke (JD ’14), Arlington, Virginia; security counsel, Google
Lizzie Digiovanni (BMUS ’20), Huntsville, Alabama; music therapist and founder, Music Therapy Augmented
Kristen Dunning (BSA ’21, MBA ’24), Dallas, Georgia; founder and CEO, Gently Soap
Jason P. Edwards (BSED ’15, MS ’18. EDD ’23), Athens, Georgia; public service faculty, University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development
Justin Ernest (BBA ’13), Dunwoody, Georgia; founder and managing partner, Sabertooth Capital
Skye Estroff (BSFCS ’15), Atlanta; food journalist, host and culinary contributor, Skye Estroff LLC
Renee Regina Fuller (ABJ ’10), Oakland, California; vice president of marketing, Unilever, OLLY
Alex Griffin (BBA ’13), Martinez, Georgia; assistant vice president, Medical College of Georgia Foundation
J. Hillyer Jennings (BBA ’09), Atlanta; partner, King & Spalding LLP
Patrick Klibanoff (BBA ’14, ABJ ’14), New York; senior product manager II, The Walt Disney Company
E. Darren Liddell (BSFCS ’10), Brooklyn, New York; co-founder and CEO, Vesta Prosperity
Braden T. Meadows (BLA ’20, MLA ’21, MBA ’24, JD ’24), Knoxville, Tennessee; COO and general counsel, Stephen W. Hackney Landscape Architecture
Clark Milner (BBA ’09), Alexandria, Virginia; special assistant to the president and senior advisor for policy, The White House
Megan Moroney (BBA ’20), Nashville, Tennessee; singer-songwriter and recording artist, Sony Music Nashville, Columbia Records Nashville
Georgia Evert O’Donoghue (BBA ’11), Atlanta; vice president of operations, AMB Sports and Entertainment, and COO, Atlanta World Cup Host Committee
Katie Penland (AB ’13), Washington, D.C.; principal and owner, KEP Strategies, LLC
Cole Phillips (BS ’12, AB ’12), Athens, Georgia; CEO and medical director, Mercy Health Center
Sara Powell (BSA ’12, DVM ’17), Newnan, Georgia; owner and veterinarian, SweetWater Veterinary Hospital
Blake Raulerson (AB ’15), Athens, Georgia; vice president for government relations, University of Georgia
Brittany Cassell Raway (AB ’10), Atlanta; partner, Alston & Bird LLP
Colin Rocker (BBA ’18), New York; founder, CareerColin
Kenneth Sanchez (BSENVE ’22), Commerce, Georgia; civil engineering analyst, Kimley-Horn
Jackie Sherry (BSFR ’11, MNR ’14), Athens, Georgia; water conservation coordinator, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government
Jamey Shirah (BBA ’10), Atlanta; CEO, Revival Restaurant Group
Harina Somasundaram (BSCSE ’20), Long Island City, New York; senior data and AI architect and customer success manager, SAP
Claire Stephens (BSA ’10), Watkinsville, Georgia; senior advisor and development project leader, Elanco Animal Health
Miranda Williams Thomas (BSED ’17), Washington, D.C.; southeast regional advocacy director, southeast legislative director, ExcelinEd, ExcelinEd in Action
Austin Tull (BSA ’09), Smyrna, Georgia; CEO and owner, Cherokee Custom Script Pharmacy
Travis A. Voyles (BSES ’11), Alexandria, Virginia; associate deputy administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency
Laura Warren (ABJ ’11), North Augusta, South Carolina; community development regional manager, Meta
Masato Webb (BBA ’21), Dallas; sustainable aviation fuel manager, Chooose
Samantha H. Weldon (BS ’11, MAT ’16), Buckhead, Georgia; owner and board-certified behavior analyst, Pure Heart Behavioral Therapy, LLC
Tiffany N. Wooten (AB ’11, MPA ’15), Atlanta; director of corporate partnerships, The Ron Clark Academy
This year’s selection process drew hundreds of nominations from across the country. Nominees must be UGA alumni under the age of 40 who exemplify the university’s guiding principles of wisdom, justice and moderation — core values represented by the Arch.
Full eligibility criteria and additional details about the program and its honorees are available on the UGA Alumni website.
“It’s a privilege to celebrate this group and the meaningful ways they are making a difference,” said Zell. “Their achievements are a testament to the lasting impact of a UGA education and the communities they continue to serve.”
