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JACKSON — Mississippi Business Journal will honor 40 young leaders across the state who are under 40 years old during a luncheon at the Old Capitol Inn in Jackson on June 25 from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Mississippi Lt. Governor Delbert Hosemann will give the keynote address.

“This annual event recognizes emerging leaders from across Mississippi who are under the age of 40 and are already making a significant contribution in their communities and industries,” said J. Scott Coopwood, Publisher and Owner of the Mississippi Business Journal.  “The 2025 honorees are from diverse fields, including business, community involvement, and more.”

“We are so very proud of this outstanding Natchezian, who, after receiving his education, could have gone anywhere but chose instead to return to his hometown where he is making a huge difference,” said Natchez Mayor Dan Gibson.

Hunter is a graduate of Trinity Episcopal Day School and earned his bachelor’s degree in English from Tougaloo. He graduated from the University of Mississippi School of Law in 2020. He and his wife, Leah, are parents of a baby daughter, Harlowe.

“Appointed as our Interim Judge earlier this year, Judge Hunter is now running for the judgeship without any opposition, ” Gibson said. “Great things are in store for this young leader, and we are so very proud to say he is one of our own.”

Class members were selected by a panel of business and community leaders. Nominations were solicited through various MBJ platforms, such as the monthly print edition and social media.

“The goal of the ‘Top 40 Under 40’ salute is to not only pay tribute to these young leaders from across the state, but to inspire the next generation of leaders and highlight the contributions of emerging professionals,” said Coopwood.

Seating is limited. To purchase tickets, scan the QR code below or call the Mississippi Business Journal office at 601-364-1000 or 662-843-2700 by June 16.

The honorees being recognized this year are:

Katie Anthony – Dean of Graduate Studies at USM., Hattiesburg

Anne Hall Brashier – Chief of Staff for Gov. Tate Reeves, Jackson

Robert Carson- Attorney, Merkel and Cocke, Clarksdale

Dawn Casaus – Senior VP, BankPlus, Madison

Candace Coleman – Senior Communications Specialist for Entergy, Jackson

Michael Crowe – President, SRP Holdings, Meridian

Sunny Desai – CEO and Founder of Desai Companies, Ridgeland

Carley Dunaway – President and CEO, Architect, Dunaway Williams Architects, Jackson

Erick Evans – SVP Marketing, C Spire, Ridgeland

Charles Finkley – Director of Tunica County CVB, Tunica

Meryl Fisackerly – COO, Golden Triangle Development Link, Columbus

Rob Hairston – Director of Projects, Community Development Foundation, Tupelo

Jordan Holder – General Manager, Hol-Mac Corporation, Oxford

John Morgan Hughes – Co-Founder of Ten One Strategies, Madison

Terrence Hunter – Municipal Judge, Natchez

Grace Johnson – Founder of Bread/Co-Founder of Blue Hen, Sumrall

Marcus Johnson – HR VP, C Spire, Ridgeland

Hunter Knight – Owner, Properly Tied, Oxford

Ryker Lackey – Associate, Clearwater Group, Jackson

T.J. Mayfield – Vicksburg Alderman, Vicksburg

Jim Miller – Executive Director of MS Main Street Association, Madison

J.T. Mitchell – News Director/Host, SuperTalk Mississippi Media, Jackson

Chris Monsour – VP, AnderCorp, Jackson

Jourdan Nicoud – Founder and Managing Partner, the Secret Coast, Pass Christian

Davis Pace – CEO, MS Enterprise for Technology, Gulfport

Mary Quarles – Senior Program Manager, Vertex Corp, Clinton

Tyler Raborn – CEO,  Raborn Media, Madison County

Erica Reed – COO, Jackson Medical Mall Foundation, Jackson

Jeremy Ricks – Delta State University Comptroller, Cleveland

Colton Robison – Executive Director, Mississippi Paving Association, Jackson

Tyler Rosamond – VP, Molpus Woodlands Group, Ridgeland

Al David Saab – Senior Advisor for U.S. Senator Roger Wicker, Jackson

Bethany Stanfill – Partner, BSS Global, Ridgeland

Jordan Starnes – President, Magnolia Lane Strategy, Jackson

Davis Taylor – Director of Sudden Service, The Taylor Group of Companies, Louisville

Hagan Walker – Founder, The Glo Companies, Starkville

Andrew Whalen – President, Planters Bank, Cleveland

Benjamin Wheldon – Manager of Workforce Development, Ingalls Shipbuilding, Gulfport

Charles Woods – Chief of Staff to State Auditor Shad White, Jackson

Amanda Wyrick – VP, Community Bank, Madison