Young Professionals’ Inititiative Names 40 Under Forty Class of ‘23

The Young Professionals Initiative of Northwest Louisiana, a program of the Greater Shreveport Chamber, is introducing the 40 Under Forty Class of 2023.

“It is truly a privilege to honor this outstanding group of young professionals for their contributions to our community,” said Liz Chreene, YPI executive committee chair and marketing director for Visit Shreveport-Bossier. “We cannot wait to get to know this year’s class better and to celebrate their accomplishments and continued efforts to make Northwest Louisiana a better place to live, work and play.”

The 40 Under Forty Awards honor 40 professionals under 40 who have excelled in their careers, education, professional development, community leadership and volunteer efforts. One honoree is chosen out of the 40 to receive the Young Professional of the Year Award for exemplary efforts in each category and will be announced at the 40 Under Forty Awards Gala on Dec. 1, 2023, at Sam’s Town Hotel & Casino.

Sara Nelms, YPI 40 Under Forty chair and director of sports at the Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission, said, “It was so challenging for our selection committee to choose from all the strong applicants this year. We are very excited to celebrate this class of honorees and showcase their contributions to northwest Louisiana.”

YPI exists to create a network of community leaders under the age of 40 to enhance the development of Northwest Louisiana for the attraction and retention of young professionals in our region.

The 2023 40 Under Forty Honorees

KaDavien Baylor, KaDavien Baylor, LLC Liz Buhler, Heard, McElroy & Vestal, LLC Jeremy Burge, Louisiana Truck Stop & Gaming Administration, LLC Dr. Kiran Chahal, Ochsner LSU Health Shreveport Kelli Cole, Good Granoly Cory Joy Craig, Bossier Parish Schools Shocker Creal, City of Shreveport Krystal Critton, Junior Achievement of North Louisiana Inc. Krysta Cyr, Red Ball Oxygen Co. Inc. Meagan McDuffy Davis, CenterPoint Energy Biskie Duncan, KSLA News 12 Lakeisha Florence, Providence House Christena D. Francis, Magnolia School of Excellence - Upper Wanda Gertin, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Ally Real Estate Bridgetta Jene’ Giles, Choices, Inc. Lariana Graham-Taylor, LCSW-BACS, Overton Brooks VA Medical Center Tamika Hayden, Louisiana State University Chris Henry, CMD, Willis Knighton Health System Radiation Oncology Dominique Horton Washington, City of Shreveport Jodi Hutto, Keller Williams Realty Clarke Jackson, Shreveport Fire Department

The Greater Shreveport Chamber of Commerce announced this year’s class of 40 Under Forty honorees in the Sky Room at Louisiana Downs on Aug. 18. The program recognizes 40 people under the age of 40 who excel in their careers, education, professional development, community leadership, and volunteer efforts. The awards gala is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, 2023. – Mark Crawford Dr. Ryan Jacobsen, Overton Brooks VAMC RJ Johnson, McElroy Metal LLC Erin Johnston, Healing Minds LLC Dr. Jimmy Jones, PhD, Axom Development Rodjerick Larry, Alloy Piping Products Shawn McNeil, MD, LSU Health Shreveport Paige Melton, United Way of Northwest Louisiana Lucas Morgan, LSU Shreveport Matt Oates, Home Federal Bank Corrie Parker, Holy Angels Residential Facility Dr. Sierra Pollock, University Veterinary Hospital Thomas Pressly, Pettiette Armand Dunkelman Woodley & Cromwell LLP Krista Queen, LSU Health Shreveport Allison Richardson, Volunteers for Youth Justice Jason Shidiskis, Praeses, LLC Matt Stephens, Willow Chute Financial LaToria Stewart, Caddo Parish Schools Nikura Tucker, Community Care Partners Inc. Brittany R. Willis, City of Shreveport