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.
