NJBIZ names 2026 Forty Under 40 honorees and Rising Stars (updated)

Originally posted on NJBIZ

Many of New Jersey’s young professionals are wasting no time blazing trails and driving innovation. NJBIZ is honoring these changemakers with the 2026 Forty Under 40 awards.

Launched in 2006, this event recognizes professionals under the age of 40 who are not only building strong communities but also setting the pace for the state’s economic future.

For the third year in a row, NJBIZ is also spotlighting a select group of Rising Stars. This designation recognizes individuals age 29 or younger who are already making a significant impact across industries and communities throughout New Jersey. These 14 individuals are poised to become the influential leaders of tomorrow.

An independent panel of judges chose honorees following an open nomination process.

The individuals recognized this year contribute to their own industries – spanning healthcare, finance, real estate, law, education and more – along with the New Jersey community at large.

Honorees must live and work in New Jersey, and their company must have a physical office here.

NJBIZ will recognize these professionals, listed alphabetically below, during an Oct. 27 ceremony at The Marigold in Somerset. Tickets are on sale now on our event page.

Recipients will also be celebrated in a special NJBIZ events supplement.

Sponsorship opportunities are available for this event. For more information, please contact Associate Publisher and General Manager AnnMarie Karczmit at 732-246-5717 or akarczmit@njbiz.com.

Congratulations to the 2026 NJBIZ Forty Under 40 honorees!

Sean Albert, chief operating officer
CURE Auto Insurance

Panagiota Babadelis, senior director, marketing and communications
Berkeley College

Brittany Bewalder, head, veterinary digital engagement
Zoetis

Alex Capozzi, member
Brach Eichler LLC

Samantha Isabel Carpio, business administrator
Township of Rochelle Park

Andrew Coombs, CEO and managing partner
Coombs CPA

CJ Cruz, vice president of operations
Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital Somerset, a member of RWJBarnabas Health

Zachary Csik, vice president, North Central development
Rockefeller Group

Michelle Delaney, practice group leader, CSG Law Corporate Group
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (CSG Law)

Samantha Diorio, partner
Connell Foley LLP

David Disler, principal
Porzio, Bromberg & Newman PC

Chelsea Dormer, senior vice president, business banking sales manager
Valley Bank

Darian Eletto, chief clinical officer, behavioral health services
Bergen New Bridge Medical Center

Krystal Fitzpatrick, director, nursing, clinical operations
Atlantic Health, Morristown Medical Center

Juan Garcia, director, health care compliance
Johnson & Johnson

Sean Gaynor, partner
Cohen Seglias

Adrienne Hawkins, assistant general counsel
JP Morgan Chase

Aditya Vikram Kashyap, vice president, firmwide innovation
Morgan Stanley

Nicholas Klacik, executive vice president
CBRE

Matt Kroll, assurance principal
BDO USA

Kara Kushnir, founder and clinical director
A Work of Heart Counseling

Naju Lathia, partner
Day Pitney LLP

Jaclynn McDonnell, counsel
Stevens & Lee

Joseph Natale, associate
Greenbaum, Rowe, Smith & Davis LLP

John Orecchio, chief financial officer and treasurer
Doris Duke Charitable Foundation Inc.

Ana Parikh, partner
Rivkin Radler LLP

Marie Pryor, TechSpark New Jersey manager
Microsoft

Naima Ricks, managing director
Reading Partners

John Saffioti, senior vice president, operations
Inspira Health

Jonathan Sherman, partner, commercial real estate
Ansell Grimm & Aaron PC

Caitlin Smith, partner
SKC & Co. CPAs LLC

Kaitlyn Stone, partner
Barnes & Thornburg

Julius “Jay” Suarez, partner
Fox Rothschild

Malcolm Thorpe, attorney
McManimon Scotland & Baumann

Daniel Umana, vice president, senior commercial relationship manager
Provident Bank

Jenna Vaccaro, chief administrative officer, executive offices and Children and Family Health Institute
VNA Health Group

Tanya Walliser, partner and senior financial advisor
Condor Capital Wealth Management

Matthew Walsh, partner and practice leader
Withum

Bill Winters, CEO
Victory Home Remodeling

Congratulations to the 2026 Rising Stars!

Robby Arthur, marketing coordinator
Redridge Construction

Adela Barbura, associate
Chiesa Shahinian & Giantomasi PC (CSG Law)

Carina Castagna, founder and CEO
Pesto Joe LLC

Liz Farias, community marketing and partnerships manager
Fair Lawn Main Street Inc.

Lindsey Florio, leasing administrator
Bell Works

Alex Friedenberg, vice president
JLL

Uday Kumar Gunda, CEO
Nile Tech Inc.

Peter Kizima, associate
Saiber LLC

Molly Nemesszeghy, digital marketing manager
Creative Click Media

Dan Scannapieco, senior development associate
The Michaels Organization

Grant Shulman, wealth manager
Prosperity Capital Advisors

Cara Joy Skelley, associate
Brach Eichler LLC

Jamie Sumilang, portfolio manager and engineer of projects
Port Authority of New York and New Jersey

Hayley Yurowitz, marketing manager
Jarmel Kizel Architects and Engineers

Editor’s note: This story was updated at 3:46 p.m. Sept. 3, 2026, to reflect the most updated list of honorees.