??
40 Under 40
ACCE is dedicated to recognizing and supporting the most talented professionals in the chamber industry. This annual recognition program showcases 40 of the industry’s top emerging leaders who have demonstrated success in their careers and made significant contributions to the communities they serve. The list includes CEOs and staff professionals from a wide variety of roles and chamber sizes. Their creativity, dedication and commitment to identifying innovative solutions will help shape the future of the chamber profession.
Learn more about ACCE's 40 Under 40 recognition program, its eligibility requirements and past winners here.
 |
Molly Alves Molly has redefined what operational excellence and member engagement look like in a modern chamber. She has built bridges between education and industry through innovative programs, strengthening workforce pathways and positioning the chamber as a true catalyst for economic vitality. |
 |
Rebekah Anderson Rebekah has made tremendous contributions to our chamber and to our staff. She increased revenue across the entirety of our events and programs as well as transitioning the chamber from an antiquated dues model to tiered dues over the last year. |
 |
Tara Baucom Tara has the unique ability to envision and execute large-scale events that not only meet the objectives but exceed all expectations. A prime example is our Giant in Our City event, which she meticulously planned from conception to completion. This event welcomed 1,200 top business leaders, implemented an unmatched program, exceeding the budget revenue expectations and was the highlight of the year. |
 |
Brett Bibb Through Brett’s leadership, Commerce Lexington is more effective in sharing its “Impact story” with key stakeholders, elevating the chamber’s brand and value proposition to investors. He is a forward-thinking leader whose innovation and vision is shaping the future of the chamber industry. |
 |
Courtney Blanchard Courtney’s dual role in government affairs and communications bridges corporate and community interests, driving initiatives that advance equity and opportunity. Her leadership was instrumental in securing the ACCE Chamber of the Year award in 2025, highlighting Memphis as a model for corporate-community collaboration. |
 |
Katie Bohlmeyer Katie made a lasting impact through her leadership of a local community vote for added investment in transportation infrastructure. She marshalled financial and political support from the private sector and worked closely with local elected officials in advancing this essential public investment. The astounding 68% favorable vote guaranteed additional street funding, a freeze of impact fees and new growth for our community. |
 |
Hannah Bowen Hannah has been the driving force behind Community Impact Day, which started with a small group of 25 volunteers and has grown into a statewide movement with more than 3,800 people volunteering in a single afternoon. This year alone, the program generated $106,750 in non-dues revenue for participating chambers and saved nonprofits and municipalities an additional $400,000 in labor costs. |
 |
Caitlin Burns Caitlin has transformed the chamber into a dynamic engine for local business growth and collaboration. Under her leadership, the membership has grown, strategic partnerships have been forged with key regional and state organizations and innovative programs have been launched to support entrepreneurs, small businesses and emerging industries. |
 |
Craig Carle Under Craig’s leadership, we have achieved record increases in both membership engagement and membership revenue, reflecting his strategic approach to relationship-building and value creation. His ability to align our membership structure with business community needs has redefined how we serve and retain our investors. |
 |
Samantha Chivinski Under Samantha's leadership our chamber has achieved membership retention in the range of 92-95% annually over the last six years, a testament to value-added delivery to all our business and nonprofit members. She has a great commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion for all chamber members and our greater community at large. Her contributions led to our chamber being recognized as Pennsylvania Association of Chamber Professionals Chamber of the Year in 2022 and 2024. |
 |
Sawyer Coffey Noel Sawyer has demonstrated an extraordinary ability to elevate and redefine the way our chamber connects with its stakeholders and the public. Through her innovative approach and unwavering commitment, she has not only modernized our communications but has also led key projects that have propelled the chamber’s mission forward, helping us achieve new levels of excellence and impact.
|
 |
Addison Cursey Addison consistently merges public relations, government affairs and creative marketing to elevate our visibility and influence. She has led large-scale community campaigns that have amplified our organization, strengthened member engagement and reinforced public trust. |
 |
Lindsay Dawkins Moon Lindsay reflects what Horizon 2035 envisions for the future of our profession: connectors who lead with purpose, bring people together, and turn bold ideas into real results. She doesn’t chase attention—she earns trust and delivers. She led our chamber’s 5-Star Accreditation effort in 2024 and played a central role in positioning us to be named 2024 Tennessee Chamber of the Year and a 2025 ACCE Chamber of the Year finalist. |
 |
Takiya N. Dixon Takiyah has proven herself as a resource for the business community and actively seeks opportunities to learn more and give more. Her expertise and initiative are critical components of the Chamber’s Accelerate 2030 strategic plan and annual program of work. She is helping to shape the ways in which the business community learns, recruits, retains, pays-it-forward, succeeds and ultimately creates a community of economic opportunity. |
 |
Katie Doherty, IOM President & CEO Katie’s career has been defined by innovation, collaboration and an unwavering commitment to strengthening the business community of Central Maine. She has transformed the chamber into a more inclusive, forward-thinking organization that champions economic growth and community well-being. Membership has grown, events have expanded and the chamber’s voice in regional economic development has never been stronger. |
 |
Danielle Dorey Danielle leads strategic programs, awards and events that elevate the brand of the Boston Chamber, benefiting members, policymakers and the broader business community. Her leadership and strategic vision have directly increased our programs and events revenue, heightened the reputation of our experiential events and helped to strengthen the future of our portfolio for years to come. |
 |
Heather Eyster Heather’s leadership has had a measurable impact on our organization’s sustainability and growth. Overseeing revenue streams that account for roughly half of our annual income, she has guided membership, sponsorship and philanthropic giving to new levels. Since taking on her role, we’ve achieved our best membership growth in over 15 years and significant increases in both dues and sponsorship revenue. |
 |
Matthew Ferraro, CCE, IOM Matthew has a gift for bringing people together. Whether it’s a small business owner looking for guidance or a large corporation seeking deeper community ties, Matthew makes every person feel valued and supported. He has an ability to listen, to truly understand challenges, and then to find creative solutions that make a real impact. |
 |
Alissa Fisher When Alissa began, stakeholder sentiment was challenging—her initial survey revealed that 84% of community stakeholders were confused or skeptical about GSP’s formation and purpose. Alissa’s creativity, professionalism and perseverance turned a moment of uncertainty into one of unity and pride. Her work has not only strengthened GSP’s identity but also modeled how thoughtful, transparent communication can transform community perception. |
 |
Michelle Glenn Michelle’s enthusiasm and consultative approach to helping members succeed has resulted in increased engagement and strengthened partnerships. She has worked with other team members to develop unique automated approaches to retention, member engagement and collections. Her efforts have increased our membership numbers by 44% and our non-dues revenue by 127% by increasing sponsorship dollars and other advertising opportunities for members. |
 |
Ryan Hecht Ryan has consistently brought creativity, innovation, and a remarkable growth mindset that have propelled our organization to new heights. He has taken on immense responsibilities and delivered outcomes that continue to strengthen our chamber’s mission and impact. His leadership has shaped multiple award-winning campaigns that not only elevate the Arvada Chamber brand but also create meaningful connections and progress within our community. |
 |
Brittany Keal Through her thoughtful guidance of diversity initiatives, Brittany has helped position the chamber as a leader in promoting equitable opportunities for all business professionals. Her approach is marked by integrity, kindness and genuine enthusiasm, inspiring those around her to strive for excellence. |
 |
Kristen King Kristen is a natural change agent who blends strategic thinking with genuine collaboration. She actively seeks feedback, fosters inclusion, and brings out the best ideas—even from the quietest voices. She is an exceptional leader who has driven measurable results, revitalized programs and played a pivotal role in our Chamber’s 5-star reaccreditation |
 |
Macy Kovarik Macy is a strategic communications leader whose creative initiative consistently yields exceptional results. She led a chamber rebranding and website redesign project that showcased her hard work and talent on a national stage, earning the prestigious Award for Communications Excellence Best in Show award from ACCE. |
 |
Allyson Krull Allyson oversees programs that build leaders and strengthen the regional workforce pipeline. She inspires young professionals and high school students to see themselves as future community leaders. Her ability to bring people together—genuinely and thoughtfully—has strengthened our chamber’s culture and community impact. |
 |
Carley Lawson, IOM Carley has demonstrated an extraordinary commitment to innovation, collaboration and community engagement. Her visionary leadership has completely revitalized our Leadership Programs, including Leadership Douglas and Youth Leadership Douglas, transforming them into dynamic, future-focused platforms that cultivate civic responsibility and leadership among adults and students alike. |
 |
Lord Ryan Lizardo A former teacher of six years, Lord Ryan brings a rare combination of classroom experience and industry insight, positioning him as an effective bridge between educators and employers. His efforts have focused on strengthening work-based learning opportunities such as field trips, internships, and mentorships. |
 |
Idaliz Oriz Morales Idaliz is an extraordinary leader whose vision, creativity and strategic acumen have transformed our chamber’s reach, reputation and impact across the Washington metropolitan region. Her data-driven approach has helped the chamber amplify its mission of empowering small businesses and entrepreneurs through inclusive storytelling and meaningful community connections. |
 |
Mackenzie Poole, IOM Mackenzie is a powerhouse of operational excellence, creative programming and community impact. In the past year alone, she led the planning and execution of 330+ events, oversaw a record-breaking total resource campaign and spearheaded all programming connected to the Opelika Chamber. |
 |
Rachel Porter Rachel blends strategic vision with roll-up-your-sleeves execution. She elevated the chamber’s regional profile while driving engagement. Under her leadership, the Westside Awards for small businesses gained traction as a marquee business celebration. She also expanded place-based activation with the West Seattle Glass Float Hunt, a partnership that generated citywide media attention and foot traffic for local businesses across our peninsula. |
 |
Lauren Roberts Carter Lauren has strengthened our brand, expanded our social media reach, and cultivated strong relationships with media partners. Her work has not only enhanced our reputation but also generated innovative tools and products that provide our members with powerful promotional opportunities while creating new non-dues revenue streams for the chamber. |
 |
David Rodgers, CEcD David has been instrumental in driving significant growth and opportunity for the Mobile region. Under his leadership, the department has announced over 8,000 new direct jobs and attracted more than $6.9 billion in new investment – a testament to his strategic vision and ability to foster collaboration among business, government and community stakeholders. |
 |
Katrina Ross Katrina’s commitment to the chamber profession and her passion for supporting businesses have lead to great success in her short career. Her care for our members, desire to provide solutions and ability to find ways to improve on processes and add new services quickly put her at the highest retention and sales rates on the team. |
 |
Eric Sichau From day one, Eric demonstrated bold strategic thinking and operational discipline. Under his leadership, the chamber launched several revenue-generating campaigns that have strengthened its financial footing and expanded its reach. |
 |
Jenae Sikkink Jenae has been instrumental in the organization’s growth and the region’s talent development efforts. Many of the programs she has launched or overseen have set records in 2025. Beyond her professional achievements, she is committed to community development. She actively serves on numerous boards and committees, supporting education, workforce initiatives and the well-being of the region’s youth. |
 |
Chauntele Speckman Chauntele has elevated the Executive Peer Roundtable Program into a dynamic platform for executive growth and connection, earning the respect of her colleagues as both an adept program director and a trusted team collaborator. Under her leadership, the program has expanded participation by 32%, strengthened strategic partnerships and deepened sponsorship engagement – momentum that quickly led to additional staff support. |
 |
Cayti Stein In the three years since Cayti joined our team, the chamber has seen net membership growth of nearly 34%. Our net revenue has increased 115%. Much of this incredible transformation is the result of the leadership Cayti has shown in our community and within our chamber. She now leads not just membership sales, but also communications, marketing, and events. She aligns each of these tactical areas to drive revenue growth and loyalty. |
 |
Sarah Thomas Sarah exemplifies excellence in chamber leadership through her visionary approach to event strategy, member engagement and regional impact. She has transformed the chamber’s programming into a dynamic engine for economic development and community connection. Her stewardship of high-profile initiatives such as the COSE BIG Summit, Middle Market Forum, and our Annual Meeting has elevated organization’s visibility and influence across Greater Cleveland. |
 |
Adam Welch Adam has played a critical role in advancing economic prosperity across our community. His deep understanding of public policy, local business dynamics and strategic collaboration has led to countless successful business retention and expansion efforts. Beyond his economic development expertise, Adam's leadership of the MadeByMe Coalition has united educators, employers and community organizations to build awareness among students, parents and teachers about meaningful careers. |
 |
Dr. Stephani Womack Stephani has strengthened internal systems, introduced new efficiencies, and enhanced sponsorship fulfillment, resulting in consistently successful events and increased member engagement. Her impact on workforce and education initiatives is transformative. She has secured over $300,000 in grant funding for Whitfield County, expanded partnerships with Fortune 500 companies and educators and enhanced the chamber’s capacity to serve our members. |
??