2016 Top 40 Under 40

The young men and women who rally for change, serve others and bring the Richmond community together.

In the early days of Richmond’s Top 40 Under 40, someone asked, “Won’t you eventually run out of people?” After all, this city’s aspirations may be big, but part of its charm is that it can feel like a small town.

But steadily they marched through — suggestions, nominations, impassioned letters of referral. We’ve been introduced to thousands of young professionals worthy of recognition for building successful careers while finding ways to forge change.

And still, they are only a sampling.

Their stories have inspired, illustrating creativity, innovation, enthusiasm, hard work and the desire to look around where the region most needed them.

The Top 40 Under 40 debuted in Style’s former sister publication, Inside Business, nearly 20 years ago. Style picked up the mantel in 2003. So this year’s edition marks the 19th issue, bringing the total of recipients to 760.

You find them scattered throughout the region and beyond in positions of leadership, service and community focus. They continue to build companies, guide young minds, rally for change and bring a creative spirit to Richmond.

Fortunately, we haven’t run out of them yet. — Jason Roop

Profiles by Annie Tobey, Brent Baldwin, Brandon Fox, Jackie Kruszewski, Melissa Scott Sinclair, Karen Newton and Colby Rogers


The 2016 Class of Top 40 Under 40

Kerry L. Richardson, 32
Second-Grade Teacher and Lead Reading Teacher, J.E.B. Stuart Elementary School

Brett Carreras, 38
President, Virginia Comicon

Jenny Friar, 37
Director of Development and Campaign Director, St. Joseph’s Villa

Jennifer Rawlings, 39
Roast Master and Co-Owner, Lamplighter Roasting Co.

Noelle Archibald, 35
Coffee Director and Co-owner, Lamplighter Roasting Co.

Zach Archibald, 39
Chef and Co-Owner, Lamplighter Roasting Co.

Garet Prior, 32
Senior Planner, Town of Ashland
Chief Organizer, Richmond Forward

Danielle Gilbert, 35
Administrative Director of Human Resources, Bon Secours

Annie Colpitts, 26
Co-Founder and Managing Director, TheatreLab

Kiara Lee, 26
Founder, #SchoolGirlHustle

Katrina Fontenla, 39
Policy Analyst, United Network for Organ Sharing

Andrea Gleason, 37
Designer and Founder, Helena Noelle

Patton Gleason, 37
President, Thrivident

Tasha Chambers, 35
Museum Director, Black History Museum and Cultural Center of Virginia

Octavion X, 29
Artist and Co-Founder, Slapdash RVA and Epic Fest

J.R. Walthour, 38
Director of Special Events and Community Relations, Brown Distributing Co.

Natalie Garramone, 30
Chief Executive, The Frontier Project

Kim Lammi, 31
Director of Development and Communications, Homeward

Paul Eaton, 33
Social Worker, Virginia Supportive Housing

Matt Crane, 31
Director of Development, Richmond Cycling Corps

Dr. Romesh Wijesooriya, 39
Assistant Professor and Chief of General Pediatrics, Children’s Hospital Richmond at VCU

Phillip Perrow, 35
Co-Owner and Co-Chef, Dutch & Company and Stroops Heroic Dogs

Michelle Shriver, 38
Co-owner and Front-of-House Manager, Dutch & Company and Stroops Heroic Dogs

Caleb Shriver, 32
Co-Owner and Co-Chef, Dutch & Company and Stroops Heroic Dogs

Nicholas Harrison, 37
Tax Advisory Partner, Dixon Hughes Goodman

Melissa Stanley, 39
Founder and Executive Director, Richmond Wildlife Center

Craig Toalson, 36
Chief Executive Officer, Home Building Association of Richmond

Michelle Nelson, 38
Chief Financial Officer, The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia

Johnathan Harris, 36
Founder and Headmaster, Lynnhaven Academy

Michael P. Goldman, 37
Counsel, Hunton & Williams

Chris Beach, 38
Executive Director, The Relationship Foundation of Virginia

Tara Franzetti, 33
Library Community Services Manager, East End Branch of the Richmond Public Library

Carolyn Champion, 33
Corporate Social Responsibility Director, Genworth Financial

Lorie Coker, 34
Owner and Principal Consultant, Table 5 Consulting

Carol Anne Lajoie, 39
Director of Development, VCU’s Institute for Contemporary Art

Chris Rizzuti, 31
Master Detective, Chesterfield County Police

Matthew Shapiro, 25
Disability Consultant and Public Speaker, 6 Wheels Consulting

Christopher Davis, 39
Owner, Alamo BBQ

Brian Forrester, 38
Co-Founder, Workshop Digital

Andrew Miller, 35
Co-Founder, Workshop Digital


Top 40 Under 40 Awards Celebration

What: Join us for a networking reception and ceremony honoring the recipients.

When: Tuesday, Oct. 25, from 6-8:30 p.m.

Where: Virginia Historical Society, 428 N. Boulevard

To Go: For information and to purchase tickets, at $35 per person, please visit styleweekly.com/top40.

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