Atlanta Business Chronicle’s 40 Under 40 Award has reached its 15th year, and it is clear that as a group we have come of age. Another great class of 40 amazing business and community leaders, culled from 570 applications, are joining the over 500 alumni from previous years as our network around Atlanta grows wider. So clearly it seems time for the alumni group to celebrate its Quinceañera this year!
As in the past, a selection panel of 20 alumni waded through the sea of nominations over the course of a day. We read and re-read them, ranked and discussed them, and like a top university could have filled at least two to three more classes of 40 with deserving, accomplished professionals of all types. The 40 we eventually picked all demonstrated what we seek: an ability to make strong impact; a passion to create, build and lead; and a talent for strengthening communities.
As history, a dozen awardees in the second class of 2005 met at a Dunwoody restaurant to mingle and talk, and set in motion a force. No nice dinner or trophy came with the award then, but the energy and clear synergies in that small room sparked a vision in my head that the group built into an intention to create a new community — an organized alumni group that could grow year-by-year to evolve into a cohesive network of Atlanta movers and shakers.
Now as we are in full quince adolescence, much of that vision has become real. After connecting to the other young leaders in the following months and gaining strong support from Chronicle Publisher Ed Baker, we started planning events. Interconnectedness and reach has grown steadily, with social and game events, business deals, nonprofit work, and even two marriages resulting! Thanks to the growing network effects, winning access to this network is now not only far better than a trophy, but conveys an even larger benefit than it ever has.
Over time this award has come to reflect Atlanta’s increasing business diversity. Winners encompass a wider variety of professions and firm size, and make strong contributions in many varied sectors. Everyone, no matter their focus, had to impress the selection panel that they are impactful stars who not only have game, but raise the games of their colleagues too. Given the low odds of entry, if you did not quite make it and are still under 40, please keep creating impact and try again next year!
Our large network of energetic, young and no-longer-so-young alumni membership remains focused on connecting, both within the group and to the many leaders improving metro Atlanta. I like to say that we are only focused on three things: the past, present, and future:
1. Past: Learn from the longtime builders of Atlanta. We try to meet and talk with at least one Atlanta legend each year.
2. Present: Share our views with current Atlanta leaders, and hold a couple of fun get-togethers to develop synergies amongst alumni. We hold great events at sports stadiums and city halls alike!
3. Future: Help mentor, train, and accelerate the next generation through our strong partnership with 21st Century Leaders (21CL), which transforms today’s high school students into tomorrow’s leaders.
21CL provides kids from around the state impactful programs and interaction with top business leaders to build their knowledge, speaking skills, and confidence. We first worked with them 10 years ago to establish and present the 20 Under 20 Awards to highlight top students leading change in their schools and communities. They never fail to inspire us 40 Under Forty alums who mentor them, and the event has grown to become the Georgia Youth Leadership Awards. It is being held March 2 at The Buckhead Theatre. We encourage all readers to attend and be inspired as well!
Likewise we invite this class of 2018 to join in the fun work to strengthen this network to bind our city and state. Now more than ever, in the midst of an often-divisive political climate, we need today’s young business leaders to come together and focus on growing community.
About 90 percent of each new class stays active in the alumni group, but more importantly, our alumni continue to support and lead Georgia’s civic and nonprofit institutions. We know the 2018 class fits this tradition of leadership. We have had our quince-like celebration (without anyone having to learn a waltz!), and now we look forward to what this group will accomplish over at least the next 15 years.
Martin Fleischmann is a tech entrepreneur, fractional C-level executive, and principal at Ascension Strategy Consulting. As the founding chair of the 40 Under 40 Alumni group, he’s now well over 40.
