For the past 28 years, Peoria Magazine has honored the rising stars of central Illinois with the 40 Leaders Under Forty recognition. One of the first programs of its kind in the entire country, it has become a rite of passage for Greater Peoria’s emerging young leaders.
Each year, the ranks of leadership in our community renews with a new generation of young professionals who bring fresh ideas and a different perspective. This year’s honorees are not only passionate about making our community a better place to live, work and play—they are committed to doing so in an inclusive way that brings everyone’s voice to the table.
On behalf of Caterpillar Inc. and the rest of our sponsors—OSF HealthCare, Cullinan Properties, Hometown Community Banks, RLI, Farnsworth Group, Bradley University, Commerce Bank, Heart of Illinois United Way, Community Foundation of Central Illinois and UnityPoint Health – Central Illinois Foundation—we are proud to present the 2021 class of 40 Leaders Under Forty.
- Josh L. Auxier – Greater Peoria Sanitary District
- Rachel Berchtold – Eli's Coffee Shop
- Carita A. Bright – Illinois Mutual Life Insurance Company
- Shalandra Burch – Illinois Department of Corrections
- Joseph Cecil – Busey Wealth Management
- Sarah Chapman – Peoria Public Schools
- Miles A. Colwell, Sr. – Commerce Bank
- Katie Cox – Susan G. Komen Memorial
- Leland Deehring – Bump Boxes
- Brittany Duffield – MMC Brokerage
- Misty Marie Dykema – Simantel
- Zak S. Edmonds – OSF HealthCare
- Dr. Shacorrah N. Evans, PT, DPT – Tri-County Special Education Association / OSF Home Care Services
- Christell Yosunni Frausto – Greater Peoria Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Megha Garg – Caterpillar Inc.
- Laura Gleissner – PNC Financial Services Group
- Joshua Gunn – Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce / CEO Council
- De'Marcus "Marc Supreme" Hamilton – NIU, Strictly Hip Hop 90.7FM
- Chanel Hargrave-Murry – Boys and Girls Clubs of Greater Peoria
- Vance U. Jordan III – Farnsworth Group, Inc.
- Riley J. Kerestes – Caterpillar Inc.
- Betsy Larson – River City Construction, LLC
- Eric Larson – Illinois American Water
- Anthony Mini – Pearl Technology LLC / Air National Guard
- Katie Yocum Musisi – Easterseals Central Illinois
- Michelle Nielsen Ott – Methodist College
- Corinne Olson – ALSAC/St. Jude Children's Research Hospital
- Angie Ostaszewski – Ameren Illinois
- Gretchen Pearsall – Peoria County
- Kala Bertrand Pierce – OSF HealthCare Foundation
- Aaron J. Rossi, MD – Reditus Laboratories / PAL Health Technologies
- Laura Ruiz-Santamaria – Caterpillar Inc.
- Kelly L. Schneider – CEO Council
- Emily Shields – OSF HealthCare
- Marcellus D. Sommerville – Peoria Friendship House of Christian Service
- Bethany G. Thimote – Caterpillar Inc.
- Chris Watkins – Peoria County Sheriff's Office
- Jennifer S. Weaver – RSM US LLP
- Travis R. Weaver – Caterpillar Inc.
- Gregory S. Wilson, Jr. – Illinois Central College
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