Business Report‘s Forty Under 40 celebrates the best and brightest professionals in the Capital Region. This year’s honorees are a diverse group: Some are entrepreneurs; others, executives. They are bankers, urban planners, lawyers, teachers, chefs, news reporters, government officials and yoga instructors.
They grew up wanting to be surgeons, veterinarians, pediatricians, Major League Baseball players, lawyers—and even Cyndi Lauper. Some rise and shine without benefit of an alarm clock, ready for what lies ahead. Others hit that snooze button again and again. Some are the glass-half-full types; others see the glass always full—sometimes with champagne, bourbon or Raising Cane’s lemonade. One of them believes in just grabbing the pitcher.
On their professional paths, these movers and shakers of their generation have been inspired by a variety of books: Good to Great, My Beloved World, The Lone Survivor, The Art of Servant Leadership, Lean In, Jurassic Park and Who Moved My Cheese?
This year’s selection process was our most challenging to date: We received 461 nominations recommending 243 different candidates. Prominent members of the business community were involved in the process of choosing the 2014 Class of Forty Under 40—the 15th since 1994 (some spanned more than one year).
Get a glimpse into what makes the honorees special, where they share their childhood dreams; professional aha moments; rituals before a big meeting, presentation or pitch; favorite spots for a business lunch; the advice they would have given themselves 20 years ago; and the superpower they’ve always wished they had. Business Report will recognize and celebrate all 40 at a special event in their honor on Dec 4.
