The clock is ticking: Only a week remains to nominate East Tennessee's next 40 Under 40 honorees.
Who's the young entrepreneur, executive, nonprofit leader or community builder everyone should know about? Nominate them now for the program's landmark 20th class before 11:59 p.m. Aug. 12.
40 Under 40, presented by SouthEast Bank, has become one of the East Tennessee business community's most prestigious recognitions. The requirements are simple, but earning a place among the 40 is no easy feat.
- Nominees must be 39 years old or younger by Dec. 31, 2026, to be considered.
- They must live and work in East Tennessee.
- And they must not have received 40 Under 40 recognition in the past.
The nomination process is open to young professionals across all industries, whether they work at large companies, small businesses or somewhere in between. 40 Under 40 classes in recent years have featured a range of professions, from attorneys and bankers
to entertainment entrepreneurs and social media influencers to medical doctors and nuclear researchers.
Tips for a good 40 Under 40 nomination
Knox News is looking for young professionals whose leadership and innovation is shaping East Tennessee.
The strongest nominations don't just tell us someone is a great leader or community volunteer. They show us why.
- Instead of: "She's a strong leader who gives back to the community."
- Tell us: "She has mentored four employees into management roles over the past three years and organizes an annual backpack drive that provided 150 local students with school supplies in 2026."
The more specific, the better.
40 Under 40, presented by SouthEast Bank: Important dates
- By 11:59 p.m. Aug. 12: Make your nominations at knoxnews.wufoo.com/forms/q11gvd9j161oo4j
- August: Members of the Knox News 40 Under 40 committee roll up their sleeves and start reviewing nominations.
- September: The big news arrives. Honorees will receive an email letting them know they've been selected, and we'll introduce the entire class at knoxnews.com. Each recipient will complete a Q&A about their career journey, accomplishments and community involvement.
- Through the rest of 2026: This is where the fun begins. Knox News journalists will work with honorees to tell their stories and schedule fresh, fun headshots in our studio!
- January 2027: It's time to celebrate. Full profiles of all the 40 Under 40 honorees will be published online and in print. The new class will gather in downtown Knoxville for a special event recognizing East Tennessee's top young professionals.
Ryan Wilusz is the business growth and development editor for Knox News. Email: ryan.wilusz@knoxnews.com; Cell: 865-317-5138; Instagram: @knoxscruff.
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This article originally appeared on Knoxville News Sentinel: Time's running out to nominate for 40 Under 40, presented by SouthEast Bank
