Inaugural Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 award winners announced

The recipients of the inaugural Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 Awards have been announced — including Kingstonist’s Editor-In-Chief, Tori Stafford — and will be celebrated at a black-tie event later this month.
Kingston Economic Development (EcDev) announced the outstanding individuals on Wednesday, Sept. 6, 2023, and stated that these 40 young leaders have “demonstrated exceptional achievements and contributions, making an impact in various fields and shaping the future of Kingston.”
“The remarkable talent of these individuals shows why Kingston is seen as a leading city in Ontario and across the country for establishing a business or launching an innovative project,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “Their contribution to our community is immensely felt and is a true testament to the caring and connected community we want to foster here in Kingston. I hope that, through recognizing our top 40 Under 40, aspiring young professionals will be motivated to keep pursuing their dreams.”
Selected from a diverse pool of nominees, the Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 winners have “showcased unparalleled dedication, innovation, and commitment to their respective industries,” according to a release from Kingston EcDev. Their accomplishments span across business, technology, healthcare, arts, culture, and more, highlighting the diverse young leaders that Kingston is proud to nurture and support.
“Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 recipients are a testament to the incredible talent and innovation that thrives within our city. These young leaders are shaping our community’s future and by recognizing their achievements, we not only celebrate their accomplishments but also fuel the inspiration for other young leaders to make their mark in our city. We are immensely proud of what our honourees have achieved and we look forward to a future where their impact continues to make Kingston a desirable place to live and work,” said Donna Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer of Kingston Economic Development.
Relaunched in March of this year, the Kingston Young Professionals network provides a supportive platform for networking, collaboration and professional advancement, according to Kingston EcDev. Through a range of engaging events and opportunities, the network comes together to share knowledge, build meaningful connections and contribute to the vibrant professional landscape of Kingston.
“This recognition is not just about individual accomplishments but a celebration of our collective potential to drive positive change as young leaders. Together, we’re shaping a future where innovation, collaboration and community engagement thrive. I’m excited to continue this journey alongside my fellow young professionals and inspire others to dream big and contribute to our vibrant city,” said Nour Mazloum, Marketing & Communications Manager with Kingston Economic Development.
The 2023 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 recipients are:
Adam Rondeau | Daft Brewing |
Alexandra (Ali) ten Hove | Sail Canada |
Alyssa Proderick | Amherstview Golf Course |
Anne-Sophie Verhaeghe | Umicore |
Braden Dragomir | Untold Storytelling |
Cedric Pepelea | Cedric Pepelea Consulting |
Connor Holway | Royal Bank of Canada |
Constantin Mugenga | Imperial Painting Reno, Imperial Cleaning System |
Cory Firth | Neuma |
Daniel Desjardins | Distributive |
Daniel Liao | St. Lawrence College |
Daniel Mulder | Kingston Health Sciences Centre |
Emma Fitzgerald | Assante Financial – Fenlon Division |
Francisco Corbett | FORWORLD |
Gregory Ridge | City Councillor |
Irsa Wiginton | mDETECT |
Jacqui Collier | Tamarack Homes |
James McCarthy | Cunningham Swan |
Jenn Bossio | Tri Health Clinic |
Jennifer Ng | Templeman LLP |
Jessica Hellard | Jessica Hellard Real Estate Group |
Kailey Longhurst | Grabbing Grapefruit |
Kel Martin | Yellow House, Queen’s University |
Krista LeClair | Kingston Accommodation Partners |
Latoya Powder | Patry Group |
Laura Novitsky | Jobwell Social Enterprise |
Liv Rondeau | Limestone District School Board |
Liz Jensch | Grains and Goods Farmstead |
Maddee Linton | Maddee Rose Design |
Malcom Eade | Spectra Plasmonics |
Melissa Eapen | Improbable Escapes, Visual Menace, waypoint |
Melissa Phelan | Missy Welds, St. Lawrence College |
Patrick Garrett | Cambium Inc. |
Prashant Agrawal | Plantee Bioplastics |
Rathi Perumal | Uyir Engineering |
Rishabh Chopra | Cyclic Materials |
Sina Tahamtan | Rogers & Trainor |
Tianna Edwards | Queen’s University, Keep Up With Kingston |
Tori Stafford | Kingstonist |
Zach Fang | Miss Bao, Royal Bank of Canada |
An awards gala will be held from 6 to 9 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 13, 2023 at the Frontenac Club to honour the Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 winners. For more information and to RSVP for the awards gala, visit investkingston.ca/youngprofessionals.
Congrats to all. Keep shining your light to brighten our city.
Agreed. Congrats. Independent journalism is something to be proud of!