When I started interning at COMO Magazine and COMO Business Times last year, the 20 Under 40 issue and its respective event planning were already well underway. Of course, this meant I didn’t have much of a hand in it, aside from a couple of contributed articles. This year, I feel like I’ve gotten the whole experience: nominations, judging, social media rollouts, ad placements, and writing class profiles. It has been nothing short of exhilarating and exhausting (in the best way possible).
As a young person trying to find her footing in the professional world, it’s both heartwarming and inspiring to hear the stories of and write about the local leaders, creatives, and trailblazers in our community.
Among many, two predominant lessons have stood out to me in this process:
- Every accomplished person has a unique story and path that led them to where they are now.
The rat race is relentless. For me, I’ve always felt like I could be doing more. Better. Faster. After graduating, I felt stuck for a while, trying to land in a career that was not only full of growth and experiences, but also aligned with my goals and desires. I think everyone was a little surprised when I decided to take on an unpaid internship, no longer needing the school credit, purely for the learning opportunity and chance to build my portfolio. Interning as a 23-year-old doesn’t really feel the most glamorous. But in the end, it worked out, and I feel so blessed to be where I am now.
I think we sometimes forget that the leaders we admire also face hardship, failure, and disappointment — both personally and professionally. One of the many 20 Under 40 application questions asked: “If you could improve one thing about yourself, what would it be?” and the answers ranged from having more patience to working on self-doubt to overthinking.
This experience has been a reminder that success is never a straight line. It’s all about the determination to keep going amidst the setbacks and detours.
2. Kindness and empathy matter most.
I’ve always believed that success should be measured by the way you treat people and the impact you leave behind. This year’s 20 Under 40 process only reinforced that belief.
Reading through applications, I saw how our honorees combine leadership with generosity. Adam Saunders works to bring healthy food to residents in need. Allie Teagarden devotes her time to learning about and educating others on social, educational, economic, and health disparities. Anna McDaniel seeks to make Columbia more inclusive for individuals with disabilities. These stories (and many others) prove that while titles and accolades are impressive, it’s the tangible difference you make in people’s lives that stands out. We should all strive for the betterment of our city and the small communities that make up the beautiful place we call home.
It’s been an honor to help recognize these standout individuals. In this issue of COMO Magazine, you’ll meet some of our illustrious 20 Under 40 alumni, including Elias Abadi, Sunitha Bosecker, Austin Isley, and Kari Utterback, while COMO Business Times introduces our 2025 class.
Happy reading!
