40 Under 40
By Elizabeth Speed Kabus
Photography by Becky Thurner Braddock
This year marks our 10th anniversary of 40 Under 40. So we thought big. Football field big. (Hey, it's fall in Pittsburgh - can you fault us?) This story kicked into gear on the 40-yard line at Heinz Field. The players? Forty of the region's MVPs - all under 40 years old. Each has his or her own game plan for making his or her community a better place to live, work and play. But in the following pages, we hope you'll stand up and cheer along with us as we celebrate the touchdowns and goals accomplished by this most impressive list of young, local professionals.
Click here to nominate for 2009!
Left to Right:
Ned Schano | Legacy builder | 32
As director of communications at Sen. John Heinz History Center, Ned Schano celebrates Pittsburgh's past accomplishments while influencing regional initiatives that will help the region grow in the 21st century. He's also on the board of directors at Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Pittsburgh, where he served as a mentor for eight years. "Working with kids is the best way to preserve our legacy," he says. "And I'm looking forward to continue working with kids in our city to help them lead brighter and more positive lives."
Michelle Dorothy | Corporate leader, volunteer and political organizer | 38
Michelle Dorothy has diverse interests. "I am active in the GLBT [gay/lesbian/bisexual/transgender] nonprofit community; I have a cool job working for a high-tech firm; I am unpaid staff on Congressman Jason Altmire's campaign, and I'm very politically active in my North Hills neighborhood," she says. Specifically, she's served on the boards of UMOJA African Arts Co. and the Pittsburgh Lesbian and Gay Film Society, is a senior product manager at Ariba and is working to re-engage Democratic voters in her community, Franklin Park.
Peter H. Shaw | Pediatric hematologist and oncologist | 39
Peter Shaw, M.D., founded the Adolescent and Young Adult (AYA) Oncology Program at Children's Hospital. In collaboration with other specialists across several hospitals, AYA addresses the medical and psychosocial issues of cancer patients ages 15 to 22. Research shows that programs focusing on this age group specifically provide better care and produce better survival rates. "I hope my work will serve as an inspiration to other medical professionals to start new programs that address the shortfalls of the current medical system," he says.
Left to Right:
Donna Michele Baxter | Founder and Web mistress, TheSoulPitt.com | 39
"People constantly tell me that if it were not for TheSoulPitt.com, they wouldn't know about half of the many wonderful soulful events and activities going on in our area," says Donna Baxter. Her award-winning Web site focuses on minorities and provides listings of events and businesses in the African-American community. Baxter also donates her Web savvy to help small businesses, teaches about social media and will release a book next February titled Dr. King Would Have Had a Dream: 27 Reasons Why Blacks Should Get Online or Get Left Behind.
Tony Joseph | Entrepreneur | 34
Tony Joseph is co-founder and vice president of sales and marketing at Motionplan Inc. His company designs custom training for the business world, and frequently wins honors for technology and for being a "Best Place to Work." He serves on the boards of The Pittsburgh International Children's Theater and The Pittsburgh New Music Ensemble. "Both of these organizations provide me with the opportunity to leverage my professional and personal growth over the years to help ensure their success," he says.
Samantha L. Barber | Neighborhood activities coordinator | 38
"I try to make sure the youth, their families and our seniors are not being left out on things that life and the city of Pittsburgh have to offer," says Samantha Barber. Active in several West End community groups, she secures grants to cover transportation and admission to cultural and sporting events for West End residents. The trips she coordinates allow kids and their families to see everything from plays, operas and musicals to museums and Steelers games. And she connects seniors in the West End with services that keep them safe, independent and healthy.
Sabrina S. Saunders | Public servant | 27
"I believe that I was made to serve," says Sabrina Saunders, who works for Mayor Luke Ravenstahl as a liaison among the mayor, local officials and constituents of the City of Pittsburgh. Saunders is also vice president of Urban League Young Professionals of Greater Pittsburgh, an organization focused on mentoring and community service. "I am dedicated to providing young leaders with a path toward personal and professional growth. I believe that by developing bright youth, we can increase opportunities for them to build relationships within the community," she says.