Northern Kentucky Young Professionals announced the 2025 Next Generation Leader Awards finalists.
The awards recognize young professionals 40 years old and younger for significant professional accomplishments in their chosen field and for their commitment and contributions to the community. Finalists represent young professionals in nine categories based on their primary job responsibilities across various industries. Applications were scored by a panel of 18 judges comprised of industry and community leaders.
The winners will be announced during an awards ceremony on Nov. 20 at The Carnegie in Covington.
The three highest-scoring applications in each category are recognized as finalists, and the top-scoring application will be named the category winner.
The finalists are:
Advocacy and government affairs
- Hailey Barr-King, United Way of Greater Cincinnati
- Josh Tunning, City of Newport
- John Willis, City of Newport
Arts, entertainment and hospitality
- Cherish Ludlow, Embassy Suites by Hilton
- Hillary Long, AEG Presents – MegaCorp Pavilion
- Nick Wade, ArtsWave
Education
- Eileen Shanahan, Northern Kentucky University
- Katie James, City of Florence
- Paige Nieporte, Boone County School District
Entrepreneurship
- Jordan Smith, MEDICINLOGIC
- Katelyn Kleist, Kate’s Catering and Personal Chef Services
- Madeline Martini, Cintrifuse Capital
Media and marketing
- Emily North, The Christ Hospital Health Network
- Molly Wheeler, Gravity Diagnostics
- Rudy Harris, Harris Media Co.
Medical and healthcare services
- Brad Bolte, St. Elizabeth Physicians
- Brittany Sorrell, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
- Danae Brown, St. Elizabeth Healthcare
Professional services
- Angela Hagedorn, Heritage Bank
- Jimmy Beatrice, Business Benefits, Inc.
- Tyler Blau, Deloitte Tax LLP
- Hank Heidrich, Fifth Third Securities
Public service and community-based organizations
- Justin Beale, Meals on Wheels of Southwest OH & Northern KY
- Lauren Allhands, Brighton Center
- Carlos Ruiz, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport
Skilled trades
- Aaron Drake, TENTE Casters, Inc.
- Madalyn Reller, Arlinghaus Plumbing, Heating, Air Conditioning, and Electric
- Mark Steller, Flottman Company
In addition to recognizing the finalists, Vice President, Middle Market Banking at Fifth Third Bank, David Kay, will be honored with the NKYP Legend Award, given to a community leader in the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region who has continued to inspire leadership and career success among young professionals throughout their career.
Kay is actively involved in the community, having served on a variety of boards, including the NKY Chamber, Covington Business Council, The Carnegie, the European American Chamber of Commerce, and the Northern Kentucky Education Council. Kay is also a past chair of Northern Kentucky Young Professionals.
“I am honored and admittedly humbled to receive this recognition from NKYP,” said Kay. “I love this region, and I am proud to be one of many in this region who are helping to strengthen our community by supporting the young leaders who will continue to shape it. As a past chair of NKYP, it is exciting to be celebrating all of the NGLA finalists, and to be recognized by this extraordinary group of young leaders is very meaningful.”
For more event information or to register, click here.