North Idaho Business Journal Honors 40 Young Professionals at Third Annual 40 Under 40 Ceremony in Idaho
North Idaho Leaders Under 40 Recognized for Community Impact and Business Excellence
COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — Good leadership often goes without recognition, but that changed Wednesday evening when nearly 150 business owners, professionals, and community supporters gathered at the Best Western Plus Coeur d’Alene Inn to celebrate the next generation of North Idaho’s workforce. The North Idaho Business Journal hosted its third annual 40 Under 40 awards ceremony, shining a spotlight on individuals who are already shaping the region’s future — not waiting for someday to make their mark.
The honorees were selected by a panel of judges drawn from nominations across the region. The program highlights executives, founders, and industry leaders who demonstrate excellence, innovation, community impact, and a demonstrated dedication to the growth of North Idaho. The event drew an enthusiastic crowd, with applause filling the room as names were called and individual accomplishments were recognized.
“It’s exciting, I was super surprised. It’s a huge accomplishment and I love North Idaho. To be recognized is pretty awesome,” said Jessica McMurray, one of the honorees. McMurray is the founder of Fox Contracting Services, a company that serves as an intermediary between contractors and citizens and has been serving the community for several years.
A Celebration of Responsibility, Not Just Potential
The tone of the evening was set early by Clint Schroeder, president and executive publisher of Hagadone Media Group, who framed the recognition not as a celebration of promise, but of performance already delivered.
“It’s easy to build something, take the win and move on. What’s harder, and far more meaningful, is choosing to invest your time, your energy and your leadership into a community long enough to shape it,” Schroeder said. He added: “This is not a celebration of potential. This is a recognition of responsibility. Because every person in this room who is being honored tonight is already influencing the trajectory of this community. Not someday. Not in the future. Right now.”
Those words resonated with honorees throughout the evening. Nicole Rumpel, who has worked at Avista for 10 years and serves as the company’s outreach program manager, reflected on what the recognition meant to her personally. “The time and effort I have put into this community is definitely being recognized. Through my work at Avista, I have been able to hone in on that,” Rumpel said.
Drew Lakin, owner of Visiting Angels, said the event served as a meaningful reminder of the growth of his business and its value to the community. “Seeing your business grow, seeing revenue increase, you are providing a service that people are interested in,” Lakin said.
The crowd included dozens of honorees representing a wide cross-section of North Idaho’s business community — from healthcare and technology to contracting and energy. Among those recognized were Alicia Hall, Krystal Manley, David Till, Amanda Bauer, Italia Jimenez, Tiffany Camp, Kacie Owens, Anthony Perrotti, Anthony Minutoli, Sarah Cushman, Travis Jank, Elsa Goodsen, Shannon Roman, Cameron VanDenBerg, Caroline Wedel, Emily Nelson, Megan Sheppard, Emily Hildebrand, Casey Carr, Rose Olson, Chad Young, Josh Ribble, Peter Mahoney, Jim Jackson, Pat Jones, and others.
The atmosphere inside the venue was described as electric, with drinks, conversations, and inspiring stories shared as awardees waited for their moment in the spotlight. Comments overheard throughout the evening captured the spirit of the event: “I am so excited to be here,” “It feels great to be recognized,” and “I love providing a service that people feel is important.”
The recognition connects to a broader thread of community investment visible across North Idaho. From young professionals building businesses to volunteers supporting local causes, events like this underscore a vibrant regional culture. Readers interested in other examples of community-driven initiatives in the area can learn more about the local student adventure club’s film festival fundraiser for a conservation trip and the upcoming Women in the Woods Field Day scheduled for May 8 in Sandpoint.
What Comes Next
The North Idaho Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 program continues to grow each year, reflecting an expanding pool of talent and leadership emerging across the Panhandle region. Organizers are expected to open nominations for future cycles in the coming months. Community members interested in nominating outstanding young professionals in Bonner County, Kootenai County, and surrounding North Idaho communities are encouraged to follow updates from the North Idaho Business Journal and Hagadone Media Group. The program’s continued success signals that the region’s next generation of leaders is not waiting — they are already at work building the communities they call home.