VIP Bowling Green reveals 2026 40 Under 40 class
BOWLING GREEN, Ky. (WNKY) — VIP Bowling Green Magazine celebrated the 10th year of its annual 40 Under 40 recognition Thursday night, revealing the 2026 class during a special dinner for the first time. The program honors 40 young leaders, executives and professionals under age 40 who are making a positive impact across South Central Kentucky.
Recognizing young leaders
The annual feature recognizes people for career success, leadership and strong involvement in their communities. This year’s class represents a wide range of fields, including health care, banking, education, media, law, construction, manufacturing, athletics and real estate.
VIP Bowling Green Editor Amelia Bowen said the recognition is also an opportunity to show younger professionals the leadership already present in the area.
“I think it’s so important, especially with WKU right down the street. We have so many up and coming leaders, and at least, that’s how it was for me. You know, I stuck around because I was inspired by other leaders in our community. And I think that’s something for us to have mentors and mentees, and it’s inspiring the next generation,” Bowen said.
Building connections
The reveal dinner also gave members of the class an opportunity to spend time together beyond the recognition itself.
“I hope that they feel community,” Bowen said. “I hope that they’ve been given the opportunity tonight to network with some of their fellows, because they do know each other.”
The honorees had previously met during a photo shoot in the spring. Bowen said she hoped the dinner would give them another opportunity to get to know one another and develop connections as a group.
2026 VIP Bowling Green 40 Under 40 honorees
- Addilene Hernandez — UK College of Medicine
- Alex McCubbin — The Win Crew
- Ally Higdon — Kobelco Aluminum Automotive Products
- Andrew Hayes — Hayes Agency with Shelter Insurance
- Andrew Stewart — Sunbelt Construction
- Barrett Metzger — Baird Private Wealth Management
- Brittany Bennett — TriStar Greenview Regional Hospital
- Cassie True — Hospice of Southern Kentucky
- Chad Winston — WKU | Kingdom Boys Leadership Academy
- Chloe Stewart — Impact Center for Leadership and Innovation
- Christina Ranger — BlueCotton
- Clayton Lilla — Stock Yards Bank & Trust
- Colton Givens — Kerrick Bachert, PSC
- Courtney Ingram — Bowling Green Municipal Utilities
- Darryl Jackson — WKU Athletics
- Diego Cabrera, M.D. — Med Center Health
- Erin Barber — Gray Digital Media | WBKO
- Gentiana Shabani — LP Building Solutions
- Harlan Holmes — Graves Gilbert Clinic | Time Team
- Hilarie Spalding — Bluegrass Supply Chain
- Jake Larkin — Bowling Green Winsupply
- Jenna Settle — Lifeguard Press
- Jessica Mann — Foreman Watson Land Title
- Jewel Jordan — Edmonton State Bank | Braids by Jewel
- Julia Rivas — Chestnut Park Professionals | WKU | Bright Vida Counseling & Wellness
- Kate Payton — ELPO Law
- Kayla Bitner — Sublime Media Group
- Kristen Robinette — Back Down South
- Lashlee Anthony — Fifth Third Bank
- Lindsey McCarty — American Bank and Trust
- Maggie Tidwell — Med Center Health
- Makayla Meredith — Houchens Industries, Inc.
- Nathan Williams — Williams Associates Architects
- Nicole Swaby — The Miliare Group
- Olivia Howard — Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
- Patrick Tyler Jaggers — Leachman Buick GMC Cadillac
- Shelby McIntyre — TJ Regional Health
- Whitnee Mosley — Highland Stables | GypsyMoon Marketplace
- Zac Ross — Ross Wealth Advisory
- Zachary French — Mills Real Estate & Auction Company
