Ambitious Austinites

Austin Under 40 reveals the impressive nominees for 2020 awards

For 22 years, Austin Under 40 has celebrated the city's young, innovative, and inspirational leaders. And this year is no different, with 80 outstanding locals who were revealed in March.

This year's finalists, chosen from the largest pool of nominees AU40 has ever received, were selected by a panel of 140 judges after five rounds of consideration. They span 16 categories and include a wide range of professions, from associate county judge to public relations star.

"AU40 spans 16 industry categories and is filled with local heroes who have rallied together to support our Austin community during COVID-19," says 2020 event co-chair Derek Steffen. "As a co-chair of this event, I’ve had the pleasure to witness and converse with individuals who are actively demonstrating the importance of professionalism, servitude, and community."

Winners in each category will be revealed at the annual black-tie gala. Originally slated for May 16, the program was rescheduled due to the COVID-19 crisis, but has been rescheduled for later this year.

Proceeds from the evening support YWAF and the Austin Sunshine Camps, the philanthropic missions of the Young Women’s Alliance (YWA) and Young Men’s Business League (YMBL), who partner on the annual event.

The 2020 finalists for Austin Under 40 are:

Architecture, Engineering, and Construction
Gerardo Gandy, David Goujon, Nhat Ho, Megan Lasch, and Ashley Wainscott

Arts and Entertainment
Anna Gallagher-Ross, Cassie Shankman, Chet Garner, Danielle Benson, and Kristyn Ciani

Civics, Government, and Public Affairs
Denise Hernandez, Aurora Martinez Jones, Bianca Garcia, Julie Fisher, and Bino Cadenas

Culinary Arts, Events, and Hospitality
John Antonelli, Turgay Yuksel, Heather Emerson, Lindsey Sokol, and Gabe Erales

Energy, Mobility, and Transportation
Dana Harmon, Sam Sargent, Mandy McClendon, Leslie Pollack, and Marissa Monroy

Financial and Insurance Services
Malini Rajput, Vanessa McElwrath, Rina VonFrisch, Chris Ragland, and Chris Palmisano

Innovation and Start-up
TiWanna Kenney, Janice Omadeke, Ben Rubenstein, Nathan Ryan, and Brooke Waupsh

Journalism, Marketing, and Public Relations
Hema Mullur, Levente McCrary, Brianna McKinney, Rusty Shelton, and Jesse Stowell

Legal
Megan G. Holloway, Lauren Schoenbaum, Rick Flores, Caitlin Haney Johnston, and Noah Galton

Medicine and Healthcare
Rebekkah Schear, Lucas G. Hill, Natalie Crawford, Jason Bradley Terrell, and Terrance Hines

Mentor of the Year
Stuart Vick Smith, Emily LeBlanc, James Butler, Paula Bookidis, and Holly Christine Hayes

Nonprofit Service
Shaleiah Fox, Alex Villa, Chas Moore, Mimi Marziani, and Lindsey Linder

Real Estate
John Berkowitz, Lezlie Tram Le, Paul Smith, Kristen Williams, and Schuyler Williamson

Sports, Wellness, and Fitness
April Owen, Gloria Chan, Emilia Edmonson, CJ Finley, Melody Afkami

Technology
Estevan Aviles, Jessica Tremblay, John Gunter, Jr., Ryan Collins, and Sherrie Nguyen

Youth and Education
Rubén Cantú, Dr. Christopher Coy, Jon Bailey, Sharon Vigil, and Dr. Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen

Jesse Stowell is nominated in the Journalism, Marketing, and Public Relations category.

Courtesy photo

Jesse Stowell is nominated in the Journalism, Marketing, and Public Relations category.

galas young-professionals awards

Night at the Museum

Austin museum opens lush gala afterparties to the public for first time

Photo from Thecontemporaryaustin.org.

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For 11 years now, the Contemporary Austin has been hosting "Art Dinners" at its lakeside location, Laguna Gloria. These fairytale-like galas take place as dusk sets in, surrounded by twinkling lights strung across the property's sprawling 14-acre sculpture park. But until now, they've been invitation-only affairs. For the first time ever, the Contemporary Austin is inviting the public to the best part this magical evening: a late-night afterparty.

The Art Dinners have welcomed 300 art luminaries, collectors, civic leaders, and philanthropists over these years to raise funds for the museum's classes and exhibits.

On October 25, once the dishes are put away and the early birds have weeded themselves out, the Art Dinner Afterparty will begin. It will go from 9:30 until "late evening."

Guests can expect a pop-up cocktail bar by the cool Austin speakeasy Garage, with specialty drinks like espresso martinis. Plus, there will be late night snacks from Dolce Bacio Gelato and Restart CBD. Live music and performances will be provided by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Highlights also include: tarot card and palm readings, live body painting, and fire dancing. All of this set to the stunning backdrop of Laguna Gloria's grounds at night. It's basically A Midsummer Night's Dream.

A DJ performs at a late-night Laguna Gloria party. Live music for this after party will include performances by J'cuuzi and DJ SuperNova of Pangea Sound. Photo courtesy of Giant Noise

"We're excited for the magic of our iconic Art Dinner to reach wider audiences," says the museum's Earnest and Sarah Butler executive director and CEO, Sharon Maidenberg, in a release. "We wanted to extend the welcome to more folks and give them the opportunity to engage with our gala, which has historically been a very intimate affair."

Tickets are now on sale on the Contemporary Austin's website at $160 for members and $200 for nonmembers. Ticket sales will benefit the museum's exhibits and educational programming. The Contemporary is Austin's only museum focused solely on contemporary artists and their work. It offers year-round exhibitions, classes, workshops, and events.

$The Contemporary Austin \u2014 Laguna Gloria$ The Contemporary Austin — Laguna Gloria is one of the most beautifu Artwork by Tom Friedman, photo by Brian Fitzsimmons via the Contemporary Austin

Event organizers recommend that guests "dress sharp." Valet parking will be provided, but if this night is as Shakespearian as we think it might be, you may want to catch a rideshare.

More information about the museum is available at thecontemporaryaustin.org.

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