The University of Georgia has named its 2026 class of 40 Under 40, honoring young alumni who are making significant contributions in their professions, communities and beyond. Representing industries that range from healthcare and technology to athletics and the arts, this year’s honorees reflect the breadth and impact of the Bulldog network. 

“Our 40 Under 40 honorees remind us how powerful the alumni network can be,” said Lee Zell, executive director of alumni relations. “They are building careers, strengthening communities and opening doors for others, all while staying connected to the university that helped shape them.” 

Honorees will return to campus in September to be recognized at the annual 40 Under 40 Awards Luncheon. The 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, including graduation year(s) from UGA, city, title and employer, are: 

• Cameron Banks (BSHP ’10), Snellville, Georgia; chiropractor and clinical director, AICA Orthopedics 
• Walker Beard (JD ’13), Atlanta; CEO and partner, Super Canoe 
• Drake Bernstein (BSED ’11), Athens, Georgia; women’s tennis head coach, University of Georgia Athletic Association
• Ward Black (BSA ’09, MS ’11), Commerce, Georgia; owner and CEO, Solid Ground Services & Supply 
• Dylan Brown (BSME ’19), Atlanta; executive officer, Georgia Air National Guard 
• Lucas Brown (PHARMD ’14), Tifton, Georgia; co-owner and pharmacist, Friendly City Pharmacy 
• Nettie E. Brown, (BSBCHE ’18), Lithonia, Georgia; co-founder and CEO, Renalsignal, Inc. 
• Ellen Clarke (JD ’14), Arlington, Virginia; security counsel, Google 
• Lizzie Digiovanni (BMUS ’20), Huntsville, Alabama; music therapist and founder, Music Therapy Augmented 
• Kristen Dunning (BSA ’21, MBA ’24), Dallas, Georgia; founder and CEO, Gently Soap 
• Jason P. Edwards (BSED ’15, MS ’18, EDD ’23), Athens, Georgia; public service faculty, University of Georgia J.W. Fanning Institute for Leadership Development 
• Justin Ernest (BBA ’13), Dunwoody, Georgia; founder and managing partner, Sabertooth Capital 
• Skye Estroff (BSFCS ’15), Atlanta; food journalist, host and culinary contributor, Skye Estroff LLC 
• Renee Regina Fuller (ABJ ’10), Oakland, California; vice president of marketing, Unilever, OLLY 
• Alex Griffin (BBA ’13), Martinez, Georgia; assistant vice president, Medical College of Georgia Foundation 
• J. Hillyer Jennings (BBA ’09), Atlanta; partner, King & Spalding LLP 
• Patrick Klibanoff (BBA ’14, ABJ ’14), New York; senior product manager II, The Walt Disney Co.
• E. Darren Liddell (BSFCS ’10), Brooklyn, New York; co-founder and CEO, Vesta Prosperity 
• Braden T. Meadows (BLA ’20, MLA ’21, MBA ’24, JD ’24), Knoxville, Tennessee; COO and general counsel, Stephen W. Hackney Landscape Architecture 
• Clark Milner (BBA ’09), Alexandria, Virginia; special assistant to the president and senior advisor for policy, the White House 
• Megan Moroney (BBA ’20), Nashville, Tennessee; singer-songwriter and recording artist, Sony Music Nashville, Columbia Records Nashville 
• Georgia Evert O’Donoghue (BBA ’11), Atlanta; vice president of operations, AMB Sports and Entertainment, and COO, Atlanta World Cup Host Committee  
• Katie Penland (AB ’13), Washington, D.C.; principal and owner, KEP Strategies, LLC 
• Cole Phillips (BS ’12, AB ’12), Athens, Georgia; CEO and medical director, Mercy Health Center  
• Sara Powell (BSA ’12, DVM ’17), Newnan, Georgia; owner and veterinarian, SweetWater Veterinary Hospital 
• Blake Raulerson (AB ’15), Athens, Georgia; vice president for government relations, University of Georgia Office of Government Relations
• Brittany Cassell Raway (AB ’10), Atlanta; partner, Alston & Bird LLP 
• Colin Rocker (BBA ’18), New York; founder, CareerColin 
• Kenneth Sanchez (BSENVE ’22), Commerce, Georgia; civil engineering analyst, Kimley-Horn 
• Jackie Sherry (BSFR ’11, MNR ’14), Athens, Georgia; water conservation coordinator, Athens-Clarke County Unified Government 
• Jamey Shirah (BBA ’10), Atlanta; CEO, Revival Restaurant Group  
• Harina Somasundaram (BSCSE ’20), Long Island City, New York; senior data and AI architect and customer success manager, SAP 
• Claire Stephens (BSA ’10), Watkinsville, Georgia; senior advisor and development project leader, Elanco Animal Health 
• Miranda Williams Thomas (BSED ’17), Washington, D.C.; southeast regional advocacy director, southeast legislative director, ExcelinEd, ExcelinEd in Action 
• Austin Tull (BSA ’09), Smyrna, Georgia; CEO and owner, Cherokee Custom Script Pharmacy 
• Travis A. Voyles (BSES ’11), Alexandria, Virginia; associate deputy administrator, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency 
• Laura Warren (ABJ ’11), North Augusta, South Carolina; community development regional manager, Meta 
• Masato Webb (BBA ’21), Dallas; sustainable aviation fuel manager, Chooose 
• Samantha H. Weldon (BS ’11, MAT ’16), Buckhead, Georgia; owner and board-certified behavior analyst, Pure Heart Behavioral Therapy, LLC 
• Tiffany N. Wooten (AB ’11, MPA ’15), Atlanta; director of corporate partnerships, The Ron Clark Academy 

This year’s selection process drew hundreds of nominations from across the country. Nominees must be UGA alumni under the age of 40 who exemplify the university’s guiding principles of wisdom, justice and moderation — core values represented by the Arch. 

Full eligibility criteria and additional details about the program and its honorees are available on the UGA Alumni website. 

“It’s a privilege to celebrate this group and the meaningful ways they are making a difference,” Zell said. “Their achievements are a testament to the lasting impact of a UGA education and the communities they continue to serve.”