The 2026 class of the Top 10 at 10 Young Professionals to Watch was honored at the Augusta Metro Chamber of Commerce’s June Member Economic Luncheon.
Photo Credit: RedWolf Advertising
The cohort is made up of professionals aged 25-35 representing all segments of Metro Augusta, from government to education and nonprofit organizations. They have joined the accomplished 170 individuals selected since the program started in 2009.
“Augusta is so blessed to have such extremely talented young professionals throughout all genres, all industries, all business sectors,” Anie Cox, Chamber President and CEO, told ABD. “To have a way to really recognize them, and to also for them to have the ability to share what their goals and their aspirations and their career journeys might look like, I think, is something that’s really important.”
In keeping with tradition, Augusta Mayor Garnett Johnson joined the ceremony to present the new leaders.
He told the crowd this year is particularly special as it coincides with America’s 250 Birthday. However, he added this year also marks the city of Augusta’s 290th birthday.
“So, your work today is to keep going and keep getting,” he said. “We’re going to celebrate you. You’ve done some amazing things, but we’re going to continue to expect more. Continue to pour yourself into this region, continue to give more charitably, continue to love this region as much as I do, but most importantly, keep going and keep growing.”
This year’s Top 10 are:
- Anna Freeman, Georgia Cyber Innovation & Training Center
- Ansley Guerrero, Destination Augusta
- Benjamin Tom, Club Car
- Brennan Meagher, Tuttle-Newton Home
- Katlyn Gates Danner, Southeastern Residential, LLC. & Southern Gates Weddings and Events
- Abigayle Kelley, Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Augusta
- Amanda Cruz, City of Augusta – Planning & Development Department
- Janelys Villalta, The Salvation Army of Augusta
- Josh Baker, Wynn Capital
- Katherine Covington, Augusta University
The chamber requests applications early in the year. Then a panel of business and civic leaders reviewed the submissions. The panel is tasked with selecting the final ten.
“Thank God, I don’t have to; that’s why I acknowledge the selection committee,” quipped Cox. “It differs each year, depending upon the executive board at the chamber and past Best in Business winners and things like that. We like to switch that up because it’s a big responsibility and it’s hard. Sometimes it can come down to this person has this volunteer work, or this person just needs one more thing. Because they’re all deserving. They all excel in their own right.”
Previous individuals selected for the Top 10 at 10 include Nicholas Wood, Executive Director/Administrator at Piedmont McDuffie; Kari Viola-Brooke, Executive Director of Child Enrichment, Inc.; and Mark Thompson, former dean of the James M. Hull College of Business at Augusta University and a member of the 2009 inaugural cohort.
In addition to the local recognition, the chamber will submit these 10 individuals for consideration for Georgia Trend Magazine’s 40 under 40 statewide honor. That list will be announced in the fall.
The Top 10 at 10 is a joint project between the Augusta Chamber and Augusta Magazine. Learn more and view previous recipients at: www.augustametrochamber.com/top10in10.
