As summer ends, we are heading into my favorite time of year. Fall marks the beginning of another school year, the start of football season, cooler temperatures, vibrant colors, and now our “20 Under 40.” We are delighted to welcome you to our September 2025 issue of COMO Business Times. This month, we shine a spotlight on an extraordinary group of young leaders — our 20 Under 40 Class of 2025 — who are shaping the future of business and community in dynamic and meaningful ways.
Each year, the 20 Under 40 award celebrates outstanding professionals under forty who demonstrate leadership, innovation, and civic engagement in Columbia. The selection process is nothing short of rigorous: Candidates are nominated by the community, evaluated by a diverse panel of judges drawn from both industry and civic sectors, and assessed across professional achievements, leadership potential, and measurable contributions to the greater good. This year’s cohort emerged as a standout group — from emerging entrepreneurs to rising executives — each distinguished by ambitious vision and tangible community impact.
In this issue, you’ll meet honorees who are building businesses that create jobs and nurture local economic growth, alongside those who volunteer tirelessly, expanding access to education, championing environmental sustainability, or forging partnerships that strengthen our community.
Complementing our celebration of rising talent, we are proud to introduce a feature on the Aspire Business Clinic at Columbia College’s Robert W. Plaster School of Business. This unique experiential learning hub immerses students in real-world consulting projects — transforming classroom theories into strategic business solutions. Modeled after a bona fide consulting firm, the clinic empowers students to collaborate with clients — small businesses and nonprofits — on marketing plans, communications strategies, social media, and broader strategic planning.
In many ways, the ethos of the Aspire Business Clinic echoes that of our “20 Under 40” honorees: bridging ambition with action, education with impact, and innovation with service. As we showcase these remarkable individuals this month, we also invite our readers — employers, entrepreneurs, educators, and community members — to consider how engagement and opportunity fuel growth at every level.
On behalf of the entire team at COMO Business Times, I extend hearty congratulations to our 20 Under 40 Class of 2025 honorees. Thank you for your leadership, for pushing the boundaries of possibility, and for investing in our community.
Here’s to a September full of potential, purpose, progress, and Mizzou football!
