Meet the Mainebiz 40 Under 40 — rising stars who are changing the state

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Now in its third year, the Mainebiz 40 Under 40 recognizes the state's up-and-comers, the next generation of leaders who are changing Maine and its economy for the better.

Mainebiz is proud to recognize these men and women as they rise in their careers. The fabulous 40 come from a wide range of industries — insurance, financial services, law, health care, the nonprofit sector, food-and-beverage, the arts, real estate, tech, government, professional sports, retail and more.

Check out the stories of these remarkable individuals, listed below.

And please join Mainebiz in celebrating the honorees at our awards reception on Thursday, Nov. 7, from 5-7 p.m. The venue will be Brick South at Thompson's Point in Portland. You can learn more and register here.

The Mainebiz 40 Under 40 Honorees of 2024

Ekhlas Ahmed, founder and executive creative director, Chance To Advance
Alexandra Blake Basinet, founder and owner, Blake Orchard Juicery
Joann Bautista, deputy secretary of state, policy advisor, Maine Department of the Secretary of State
Taylor Benay, director of marketing, Hexmodal
Stephen Carr, owner, Stephen Carr Property Services
Justin Chenette, senior director of public relations and advancement, Sweetser
Michelle Conners, executive director, Kennebunk Free Library
Jack Davies, director of finance, MaineWorks
Matt Dexter, executive director, Christine B. Foundation
Ariadne Dimoula, founder and CEO, Paramount Planet Product
Matthew DuBois, co-owner, the Bankery and Skowhegan Fleuriste
Khadija El Barkaoui, founder, Coelle Travel
Zack Frechette, president and CEO, United Insurance
Leah Graham, program director, Maine Cancer Genomics Initiative, The Jackson Laboratory
Gabe Hoffman-Johnson, founder, chief community officer, Portland Hearts of Pine
Matthew Jones, owner/lead carpenter, Forest Street Carpentry
Colleen Kavanagh, founder and CEO, SoulBeing
Kay Kerina, program manager, Maine Career Exploration Program; principal consultant, Kerina Consulting LLC
Muhammad Humza Khan, founder and CEO, Inclusion Maine
Tom Kittredge, senior investment officer, Maine Technology Institute
David Klein, head of WEX Venture Capital, WEX Inc.
Kayla Lewis, owner, Upward Consulting
Alex Maffucci, president, Atlantic Brewing Co.
Clay Maker, co-president, Penobscot General Contractors
Samantha Mason, test planning supervisor, General Dynamics Bath Iron Works
Brandon McDonald, regional hub coordinator, Northern Maine Development Commission
Reed McLean, founder and co-director, Lights Out Gallery
Sandy Nesin, CEO, Community Care Partnership of Maine; vice president of operations, St. Joseph Healthcare
Mackenzie H.T. Parsons, principal/financial planner, Cornerstone Financial Planning
Dan Reed, marketing and program manager, SCORE Maine
Lizzy Reinholt, senior vice president and COO, Peaks Renewables/Summit Utilities
Mary Alice Scott, public affairs manager, Maine Association of Nonprofits
Daniel Sipe, founder, co-director, Lights Out Gallery
Hazel Stark, co-founder and CEO, Maine Outdoor School L3C; registered Maine guide
Jon Stein, owner-founder, Fogtown Brewing Co.
Lisa Sturgeon, founder, Getting Married in Maine LLC; instructor, Husson University College of Business
Jay Tansey, co-founder and board chair, Sad Dads Club Inc.; director of strategy and operations, IDEXX Veterinary Software
David Tse, co-founder and CEO, Chargely
Scott Vogel, president and owner, the Front Porch Piano Bar and Restaurant, Crew Ogunquit and Coastal Alchemist
Karlë Woods, founder, co-director, Lights Out Gallery