Feature
Celebrate Our Rising Stars!
article by Samantha Roberts | Director of Marketing and Communications, Eugene Chamber of Commerce
In a community of nearly 200,000 residents, 20 individuals have been recognized for this year’s celebration of 20 Under 40. These Rising Stars and nominees join a legacy of service, integrity, and devotion to improving our communities – one bright idea at a time. We are thrilled to recognize the next cohort of 20 Under 40 Rising Stars on September 12th, immediately following the 9th annual Eugene Young Professionals Summit.
This award, dating back to 2008, has recognized hundreds of professionals in our community who showcased bright potential in making their mark in our region. Many of the region’s core businesses we know of today were founded by recipients of 20 Under 40 including Arcimoto, GloryBee, QSL, Turell Group, and more. Many more recipients went on to be instrumental in shaping our region’s political, social, and environmental future.
Hailing from a wide variety of industries, recipients of this year’s award, presented by Burley, were selected by a panel of judges who themselves were previously recognized as a Rising Star. Judges spent many hours reviewing applications and deliberating each candidate’s nomination. Nominations were submitted by esteemed colleagues, family, friends, and leaders of these young professionals. Those selected for this award were chosen amongst many competitive applications, and award recipients were selected for their contributions to their field of work as well as their connection with and service to their community.
We are thrilled to announce the following as this year’s cohort of 20 Under 40 Rising Stars:
Amber Kelel – Systems West Engineers
April Dvorak- Head Well – Integrative Psychiatry & Wellness
Ashley Mielenz – Summit Bank
Blair Avery – Defined Strategies, LLC
Cassie Stoner – Eugene Area Chamber of Commerce
Dani Thompson – Willamalane
Darby Dobrijevic – Mereté Hotel Management
Darlene Mueller – Better Homes & Gardens Real Estate Equinox
Ela Kubok – Homes for Good
Emily Secord – Bright Future Wealth Management
Hayley Radich – Miles Partnership
Joshua Jordan – Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies
Kianna Cabuco – Lane County Medical Society
Meagan Rammell – Superior Steel Fabrication
Nicole Roselio – Obie Companies
Olivia Sorensen – SELCO Community Credit Union
Sam Maslin – Moss Adams
Sarah Jean Teach – SJ Collective
Valerie Brogden – University of Oregon
Zoe Swartz – View Point Appraisals
We want to congratulate this year’s recipients, as well as nominees, for being recognized for their significant contributions to our community.
Join us as we recognize and hear from this cohort on September 12th at the Graduate Eugene. An annually inspirational evening, we look forward to a networking reception from 4-5:30, followed by a presentation of awards and remarks from our recipients and community leaders.
We want to extend our deepest appreciation to presenting sponsor Burley, for making this evening possible. As well, thank you to our Gold sponsor Market of Choice, Silver sponsor View Point Appraisals, media sponsor, KEZI, venue sponsor, Graduate Eugene, and in-kind sponsor Sweet Cheeks Winery.
Scholarships to this event would not be possible without the support of Endeavor Eugene, presented by Kaiser Permanente with support from Northwest Community Credit Union. Thank you to you all for your ongoing dedication to recognizing and celebrating the future of Eugene!
