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August 24, 2026 – Today, the U.S. Council of the International Association of Emergency Managers (IAEM-USA) announced the 2026 40 Under 40 honorees. The IAEM-USA Awards & Recognition Committee developed the program to recognize professionals under 40 for outstanding leadership and notable contributions to the emergency management profession. The honorees were announced on the IAEM website and on social media.

IAEM members were invited to nominate exceptional members who give their all to their communities, even while balancing family, friends, and life. A special selection task force of the IAEM-USA Awards and Recognition Committee assessed candidates based on criteria such as innovation, impact, leadership qualities, and community involvement. Of more than 92 nominations, IAEM congratulates the following 40 selected as this year’s recipients.

Meet the 2026 40 Under 40 Honorees

Andrew M. Aleman, AEM, Pasadena, TX
Jason A. Bhulai, CEM, North Haledon, NJ
Baillie Brooks, AEM, Littleton, CO
Wayne Bullard Jr., CEM, Homestead, FL
Lauren Chilton, CEM, Ellicott City, MD
Tonya Clarke, CEM, Houston, TX
Alexa Dickie, AEM, Providence, RI
Dakota Duncan, CEM, Westfield, IN
Allen Dyess, CEM, Metairie, LA
Melissa Eberle, CEM, Coram, NY
Ryan Friel, CEM, St. Louis, MO
Ella Gardner, CEM, Howell, MI
Meghan Howard-Hutchinson, CEM, Scott Depot, WV
Héctor J. Huyke, Alexandria, VA
Corbin A. Hyland, CEM, Charlotte, NC
Eric Johnson Jr., Ramona, CA
Jonathan Jones, Bishop, GA
Tom Kitchen Jr., CEM, Harrisburg, PA
Erin Kopacz, CEM, Alexandria, VA
Tina Laboy, CEM, Germantown, MD

Steven Lerner, CEM, Sanford, FL
Nicole Marks, CEM, Livingston Manor, NY
Osjané Mayfield, Chesterfield, VA
Ross McKenzie, CEM, Bloomington, MN
Natalie Michalak, CEM, Fairfax, VA
Ashley Morris, CEM, Fredericksburg, TX
Elizabeth O’Donnell, CEM, Huntington Station, NY
Tiffany Parker, CEM, Wylie, TX
Michael Parr, CEM, Grosse Pointe Farms, MI
Christian K. Parrott, CEM, Loveland, CO
Cody M. Santiago, CEM, Baltimore, MD
Mary Kate Seborowski, CEM, Pasadena, MD
Dan Simon, CEM, Normal, IL
Nicholas Sporer, CEM, Severance, CO
Ryan Steele, CEM, Anna, TX
Brianna Strawn, Kansas City, MO
Coulter A. Tallent, CEM, Denison, TX
Steven Torrence, San Rafael, CA
Christopher Washington, CEM, Carrollton, TX
Georgia White, Krugerville, TX

Learn more about the IAEM 40 Under 40 Recognition Program and honorees here.

For an official copy of this press release, please contact Dawn Shiley, CAE.

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