Top Forty Under 40

Since 1998, the Alaska Journal of Commerce has recognized the state’s top professionals under 40 through Alaska’s Top Forty Under 40—honoring individuals who demonstrate excellence in their careers and a strong commitment to their communities.

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WHEN:

April, 10 2026

WHERE:

Hotel Captain Cook

TICKETS:

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2026 Top Forty Under 40 Winners

The 2026 Top Forty Under 40 Awards Gala will take place on April 10, 2026 at the Hotel Captain Cook in Anchorage. Doors open at 6 p.m. for a cocktail reception, followed by dinner and the awards program at 7 p.m. Music and dancing will continue after the formal presentation.
‍Individual seats are $180. Table sponsorships are $2,000.
The Alaska Journal of Commerce is honored to celebrate the Class of 2026 Top Forty Under 40, recognizing an extraordinary group of young professionals whose leadership, drive, and community commitment are helping shape Alaska’s future.

For information about event table sponsorships or advertising in the Top Forty Under 40 Commemorative magazine, please contact topforty@alaskajournal.com.

If your nominee was not selected this year and remains eligible, we encourage you to submit their name next year. Nominations for the Class of 2027 will open in September 2026.Please join us in congratulating the outstanding individuals selected as the Class of 2026.

Samantha Angaiak-Miller 39, External Affairs Associate Manager, Donlin Gold
Navarone Copley 35, Branch Manager - Anchorage Service Center, Republic Services
Laura Dean, 37, Financial Advisor/Franchisee, Ameriprise Financial Service, LLC
Kaylee Devine, 38, President, Spawn Ideas
Laura Ditlinger, 32, Director of Business Intelligence, Imaging Associates
Ashlyn Dye, 30, Program & Community Outreach Coordinator, Anchorage Senior Activity Center
Stephanie Fain, 39, Director of University Success, Alaska Native Science and Engineering Program
Vladislav Finko, 29, Marketing Strategist, Alaska Wealth Advisors
Kyle Fox, 39, Founder and Director, Alopex Interaction Design
Connor Hajdukovich, 32, Executive Director, Resource Development Council for Alaska
Katie Holmlund, 38, Youth Programs Development & Advocacy Coordinator, Petersburg Medical Center
Allie Hartman, 30, Assembly Communications Director Municipality of Anchorage - Anchorage Assembly
Billy Hughes, 39, Founder, Tundra Testing
Amanda Keates, 39, Controller, Alyeska Pipeline Service Company
Kavya Kelagere-Mayigegowda, 33, Gastroenterologist, ANTHC
Jessica Kopischke, 38, Owner/Founder/CEO, Frontier Health and Wellness
J. Nicholas Loomis, M.D. 38 , Medical Director, Inpatient Services, and Interim Chief Administrative Officer, Providence Kodiak Island Medical Center
Jamie Lytton, 34, Physician Assistant, Neuroversion
Janie Ma, 39, Insurance Broker/Account Executive, IMA
Sierra Minder, 33, External Affairs Managers, Alaska Oil and Gas Association
Naomi Mitchell, 36, Interior Coordinator, Alaska Resource Education, Managing Director for Fairbanks Library Foundation

Kristine Morlock, 38, Sr. Director, Contracts & Pricing, Petro Star, Inc.
Kara Norby, 39, Alaska Territory Manager, Surgical Devices Corpus Mountain Medical
Zori Opanasevych, 35, Executive Director, New Chance Inc.
Brittany Rimgale, 36, Business Development Director, Alaska Regional Hospital
Danicia Shiryayev, 37, VP of Business Services, Credit Union 1
Chelsea Smith, 35, Director, Alaska Corporation for Affordable Housing
Dr. Julie Stafford, 38, Doctor of Veterinary Medicine, Anchorage Veterinary Clinic & Urgent Care
Dana Sundet, 39, Director of Data Services, Research, and Evaluation, Southcentral Foundation
Jonathon Taylor, 33, Director/Associate VP of Public Affairs , University of Alaska
Silas Tikaan Galbreath, 39,Chief Operation Officer, First Alaskans Institute
Marita Tolson, 38, Indigenous Trades Program Coordinator for Central Council of the Tlingit & Haida and Project Director for Hydaburg City School District. Tlingit & Haida Central Council
Lindsy Townsend, 38, Board Relations and Strategic Alignment Manager, Chugach Alaska Corporation
Kalani Tucker, 30, Tribal and Board Relations Manager Cook Inlet Tribal Council
Christina Twogood, 38, Product Development Operations Manager ASRC Energy
Siena Vanucci, 38, Executive Director of Quality, Providence Alaska
Sarah Villalon, 37, Chief Financial Officer, Golden Valley Electric Association
Andrew Watson, 36, Sr. Director Recovery & Reentry Service, Cook Inlet Tribal Council
Karalee Watts, 38, VP of Marketing & Community Relations, Spirit of Alaska Credit Union
Katie Yarrow, 38, VP of Marketing & Community Relations, Spirit of Alaska Credit Union

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More about Alaska's Top Forty Under 40

Nominations are open every year for individuals who fit the criteria. Nominations consist of responses to various questions pertaining to the individual's success in their careers and dedication to their community, as well as submission of letters of support.

A committee spends two weeks reading through hundreds of nominations that include upward of 500 submitted pages. Each committee member then scores the nominations, and the top 40 scoring nominations are selected for that year's Top Forty Under 40 class. These top 40 professionals are notified and photographed to be honored in a commemorative magazine and at a special evening celebration.

If you would like more information regarding the Top Forty Under 40, contact topforty@alaskajournal.com.

The Alaska Journal of Commerce is pelased to recognize outstanding young professionals across Alaska.

CLASS OF 2026