They don't do it for the recognition, but 40 young professionals across East Tennessee who make a difference each day for their clients, colleagues and communities are being honored as Knox News' 20th class of 40 Under 40, presented by SouthEast Bank.
If you know someone on this list, be sure to congratulate them. Selection as a 40 Under 40 honoree is among the most prestigious achievements in the East Tennessee business community, recognizing young professionals who are leading by example and building careers that will shape the region for years to come.
From research scientists to small business owners and everything in between − including attorneys, medical professionals, nonprofit leaders and communications experts − this diverse group will
be honored in January with individual profile stories on knoxnews.com and a group ceremony celebrating their achievements.
The Knox News 40 Under 40 committee faced the always-difficult task of narrowing down the list from hundreds of applications submitted by people who have seen firsthand the difference young professionals make in Knoxville and throughout the region.
Congratulations to the 40 Under 40 Class of 2026:
- Jasmine Allmon | Allmon Artistry
- Carly Baskette | Mood Ring Vintage
- Andy Beckmann | University of Tennessee System
- Jeremiah Corbett | Johnson Architecture, Inc.
- Emily Corwin | Dolly Parton Children's Hospital
- Krista De Cooke | Homegrown National Park
- Kristy DuBose | Koinonia Foundation of Tennessee
- Anthony El Chibani | Brand Clinic
- Scott Erland | Knoxville Police Department
- Ashley Ford | Horse Haven of Tennessee
- Aaron Fritts | City of Knoxville
- Lauren Fyfe | Loch & Key
- Sudershan Gangrade | Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Wala Habiby | The Wala Group
- Carter Hall | City of Knoxville
- Ryan Hensley | Tennessee 4-H
- Garrett Holt | Knox County Commissioner, medical student
- Kylie Julius | Strata-G, LLC
- Adrienne Landes | Realty Executives Associates, Turking Knox Rental
- Blake Lawson | Knoxville Habitat for Humanity
- Zack Lawson | Litson PLLC
- Bethany Lemons | Metro Drug Coalition
- Andrew Link | Knoxville Fire Department
- Maria Matney Foran | Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
- Dani Miller | Lauderdale Design Group
- Alex Moseman | Knox County Schools
- Houston Oldham | Oldham Hospitality
- Margo Pressley | DICK'S House of Sport
- Deeksha Rastogi | Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- David Ratliff | Clarence Brown Theatre
- Talisa Roach | Scruffy's Cat Cafe
- Denarius Ross | Wesley House Community Center
- Josie Russell | City of Knoxville Police Advisory and Review Committee
- Bradley Self | Interstate Mechanical Contractors
- Kimberly Smith | The Wilderness Society, Tali Elohi
- Star Starks | City of Knoxville
- Kandace Stephenson | Halls Elementary School, Rigazzi Mobile Wellness
- Stephanie Tanksley | University of Tennessee at Knoxville
- Alicia White Price | Girl Scouts of Southern Appalachians
- Stevean Wilson Jr. | Fatheads Barbershop
Want to see your name on this list? Anyone who will be 40 or younger by the end of next year will have another chance to be considered when nominations open again in 2027.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor for Knox News. Email: ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com; Cell: 865-317-5138; Instagram: @knoxscruff.
This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Congratulate these 40 Under 40 honorees shaping East Tennessee's future
