2021 Top Forty Under 40 announced

The Alaska Journal of Commerce and the Anchorage Daily News are pleased to once again recognize a group of outstanding young professionals in the 2021 Top Forty Under 40. 

This year we considered 114 nominees and 750 pages of supporting documentation, with members of the selection committee ranking each individual on a scale from 1 to 5 and the best 40 scores joining the 2021 class. 

The selection committee was made up of Elevate Alaska President Kea Cuaresma; Peak 2 Peak Alaska Vice President Sarah Boice; Anchorage Daily News Advertising Director Brandi Nelson; Alaska Journal of Commerce Sales Manager Jada Nowling; and Alaska Journal of Commerce Managing Editor Andrew Jensen. 

“As we emerge from one of the most difficult years in our history, we are happy to highlight some of the best and brightest representing a diverse cross section of young people from many backgrounds, regions and the private, public and nonprofit sectors,” Jensen said. 

The 2021 awards event will be Oct. 29 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. A cocktail hour will start at 6 p.m. and the dinner will begin at 7. Tickets will be available at 5 p.m. on April 16 at myalaskatix.com. Individual seats are $145 and tables can be purchased for $1,450. The 2020 awards event is scheduled for Sept. 17, also at the Captain Cook. 

Our magazine featuring the 2021 class will be released in the June 20 edition of the Alaska Journal of Commerce. For information on event sponsorships, tickets or advertising in the special publication please contact Jada Nowling at [email protected]. 

The 2021 Top Forty Under 40:

Zachary Aregood, 27, President/CEO, ARM Creative LLC, Anchorage

Erin Baca, 37, Director, 49th State Angel Fund, Anchorage

Edwin Bifelt, 36, Founder/CEO, Alaska Native Renewable Industries, Husila

Dr. Lindsey Cobb, 39, Chief of Staff, Providence Alaska Medical Center, Anchorage

Jeremy Conkling, 39, President, Anchorage Police Department Employees Association

Jenny Di Grappa, 34, Director of Donor Relations and Communications, Food Bank of Alaska, Anchorage

Arran Forbes, 33, President, Arctic Entries, Anchorage

Nyabony Gat, 24, Health Education Coordinator, Alaska Primary Care/Southcentral Alaska Area Health Education Center, Anchorage

Garret Gladsjo, 34, Principal Engineer/Owner, proHNS LLC, Juneau

Aaron Helmericks, 39, Senior Director of Energy and Mining, GCI Liberty, Anchorage

Lauren Hendrix, 32, Director of Marketing and Proposals, ASRC Energy Services LLC, Anchorage

Alisha Hilde, 38, Anchorage School Board

Matt Holta, 39, Director of Business Development, BDO USA LLP, Anchorage

K.C. Hostetler, 31, Sales and Community Marketing Manager, Alaska Airlines, Anchorage

Heidi Huppert, 39, Chief Program Officer, Covenant House Alaska, Anchorage

Kyle Kaiser, 35, President/Founder, VIPER AK Inc., Chugiak

Tanya Kaquatosh, 39, Senior VP of Administration, Doyon Ltd., Fairbanks

Angie Kemp, 39, Juneau District Attorney, State of Alaska, Juneau

Lessie Kincaid, 36, VP of Sales, Coca Cola Bottling of Alaska/Odom Corp., Anchorage

Carlene Liesch, 26, Lead Instructor, Alaska EXCEL, Anchorage

John Lincoln, 39, VP of External Affairs, NANA Regional Corp., Kotzebue

Tessa Walker Linderman, 36, Co-Lead Alaska Vaccine Task Force, State of Alaska, Anchorage

Christina Love, 34, Senior Specialist, Alaska Network on Domestic Violence and Assault, Juneau

Isaiah Mangum, 39, Founder/Executive Creative Director, Fairbanks Brand Studio, Fairbanks

Ryan Muspratt, 37, CFO, Petro Star, Anchorage

Elizabeth Nicolai, 38, Youth Services Coordinator, Anchorage Public Library, Anchorage

Joshua Norum, 33, Director of Operations, Sourdough Express Inc., Fairbanks

Sheron Patrick, 39,Public Relations and Communications Manager, Better Business Bureau, Anchorage

Lance Penhale, 33, District Advisor, First Command, Anchorage

Michael Rovito, 38, Deputy Director, Alaska Power Association, Anchorage

Milena Sevigny, 39, Community Relations Program Manager, TOTE Maritime-Alaska, Anchorage

Natasha Singh, 38, General Counsel, Tanana Chiefs Conference, Fairbanks

Sharity Sommer, 35, Former Program Officer, Rasmuson Foundation, currently enrolled at University of Alaska Anchorage majoring in dietetics and nutrition

Dr. Claire Stoltz, 38, Medical Director-Family Medicine, Tanana Valley Clinic, Fairbanks

Miranda Strong, 36, Counsel, Lane Powell, Anchorage

Tosha Swan, 37, Manager of Programs and Communications, Anchorage Chamber of Commerce

Bryce Ward, 34, Mayor, Fairbanks North Star Borough, Fairbanks

Renee Wardlaw, 34, Senior Director of Corporate Compliance/Associate General Counsel, Bristol Bay Native Corp., Anchorage

Varina Zinno, 39, Senior Geologist, Calista Corp., Anchorage

Liam Zsolt, 31, Director of Technology, ASRC Energy Services LLC, Anchorage