The results of the first-ever Bay of Quinte 40 UNDER 40 are in, and they include one of our own at Starboard Communications!
More than 200 nominations were received for young leaders across the region, and the competition was so fierce that the top 40 and ties have produced a total of 44 winners, including a group nomination for the Belleville Police Services Community Resource Unit.
“Reading through these applications was one of the most inspiring things I’ve done during my time with the Regional Marketing Board,” says Dug Stevenson, Bay of Quinte’s Executive Director. “We have a tonne of young leaders in this region—from Brighton to Napanee and everything in between—and we can’t wait to celebrate them and present them with their award on September 25 th at Signal Brewery. Big thanks to our sponsors so far, the City of Belleville and Snappie, for helping to make the event happen!”
The nominees are: Katie Sherratt (of Starboard Communications), Abraham Ramos Serratos, Deanna Way, Meghan “Meg” Fox, Adam DeMerchant, Dominique McIntyre. Melanie Harrington, Amber Lucas. Elisha Maguire, Natasha Mathieu, Ashley Foley, Fiona Sinclair. Noella Salter, Ashley Lough, Gregory Parker, Rachelle Baldock, Ben Hagerman, Hardik Patel, Rakesh Parmar, Bentley Davidson, Jeff McKerracher, Samantha Foley, Breanne Matthews, Jessica Purchase, Samantha Jones, Brittany Pratt, Katelyn Thompson, Taylor Nelson, Bryn McDonnell, Zack Card, Camden Thomas Lawrence, Laura Imrie, Zoe Hiscock, Caroline Birch, Lorne McDougall, Charles “Chaz” Lucas, Mariam Niazi, Corinne Sykes, Matthieu Leonard, Danielle Hanoman and Megan Blaquiere.
GROUP NOMINATION: Aaron Crawford, Brittney Blake, Josh Woodcock
Tickets for the celebration event go on sale immediately. Single tickets are $75 and include one drink + appetizers through the evening. A small number of high-top tables are also available for $450 and include four tickets + four drink tickets + a bottle of bubbly and appetizers to the table. Highlights for the event include a keynote speech from serial entrepreneur, investor, and strategic advisor, Sarah Prevette, and the celebrated local band Moon Sugar will be providing musical entertainment throughout the night.
One of the unique elements of the 40 UNDER 40 program will be a series of follow-up events which will harness the knowledge, creativity and thought processes of the winners. “This idea of subsequent idea-generation sessions was pitched by 40 UNDER 40 co-founder Matt Leonard,” adds Stevenson. “We love it – it’s one of the reasons we were inspired to take this event on. We’ve got so many bright young minds in the Bay of Quinte who we can’t wait to get into a room together later on and brainstorm community-building ideas for the region.”
A 40 OVER 40 is currently in the planning stages for 2026 by the Regional Marketing Board, with the intent to switch between 40 UNDER 40 and 40 OVER 40 each year.
More info on the winners and tickets for the celebration event are available at BayofQuinte.ca/4040. Additional sponsorship opportunities are also available.
(PAUL MARTIN)
