BCW Celebrates Westchester’s Next Generation of Leaders at 2026 Rising Stars: 40 Under 40 Awards

The Business Council of Westchester (BCW) celebrated 40 of the region’s most accomplished young professionals at its 2026 Rising Stars: 40 Under 40 Awards, held Tuesday, September 22, at Million Air at Westchester County Airport.

One of the BCW’s annual signature events, Rising Stars recognizes individuals under the age of 40 who are already making a meaningful impact through their careers, leadership and commitment to the Westchester community. Representing a diverse range of industries and professions, this year’s honorees exemplify the talent, innovation and dedication that continue to move the region forward.

The Rising Stars Awards are about more than professional achievement. They recognize young leaders who are stepping forward, bringing new ideas to their industries, strengthening the organizations they serve and finding meaningful ways to uplift the communities around them. Their accomplishments demonstrate the important role the next generation of leaders will play in shaping Westchester’s economic and civic future.

As Westchester continues to evolve, cultivating and retaining emerging talent is essential to maintaining a strong and vibrant business community. Through Rising Stars, the BCW is proud to provide a platform that not only celebrates what these young professionals have already accomplished, but also encourages them to continue building connections, pursuing leadership opportunities and making a difference throughout the region.

A Thoughtful Selection Process

Each year, the Rising Stars honorees are selected through a thoughtful and competitive process. BCW’s Rising Stars Selection Committee reviews nominations from across the region, considering each nominee’s professional accomplishments, demonstrated leadership, innovation, community involvement and potential for continued impact.

With so many accomplished young professionals contributing to Westchester, selecting only 40 honorees is no small undertaking. BCW extends its sincere appreciation to the members of the Selection Committee for the time, care and consideration they dedicate to reviewing the nominees and identifying a class that reflects the extraordinary talent found throughout the county and beyond.

The 2026 class joins a growing network of Rising Stars alumni who have gone on to become influential leaders in business, nonprofit organizations, healthcare, law, government, education, entrepreneurship and many other sectors.

Meet the 2026 Rising Stars

BCW proudly congratulates the 2026 Rising Stars: 40 Under 40, an exceptional group of young professionals representing healthcare, finance, law, real estate, education, hospitality, technology, nonprofit leadership and many other sectors. Together, this year’s honorees reflect the depth, diversity and talent of Westchester’s emerging leadership and the many ways young professionals are helping strengthen the region.

The 2026 Rising Stars are:

• Usman Ahktar, MD — NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital Westchester
• Justin Alvis — The HEINEKEN Company USA
• Liz Bass — Berkman Bottger Newman & Schein, LLP
• Jenna Bergquist — Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS)
• Sayidana Brannan-Douglas — SBD Digital Media
• Edward “Teddy” Bugniazet — Marsh McLennan Agency
• Sharon Bushi, MD — Burke Rehabilitation
• Justine Carino, LMHC — Carino Mental Health Counseling Services, PLLC
• Kaitlin Carroll — Con Edison
• Shannon Sullivan Casey — YMCA of Central & Northern Westchester
• Samantha Cepin – The Business Council of Westchester
• Michael Cirocco — LRC Construction, LLC
• Rocky DeLuca — Newmark
• Michael DeSimone — The Charter School of Educational Excellence
• Kristina Gazivoda, MPH, RN, OCN — Northwell Health Phelps Hospital
• Will Giangrande — The NextGen Playbook
• Brittany Hodgins — Hope’s Door NY
• Ari Kwitkin-Close — Westchester Soccer Club
• Lee Lefkowitz — Zarin & Steinmetz
• Mark Mangold — IMA Financial Group, Inc.
• Tim McCorry — Iron Oak Discovery
• Nicole Mercer-Lindsay, PhD — Burke Neurological Institute
• Tricia Molfetta — Pace University
• Ryan Muller — Orange Bank & Trust Company
• Thomas Petriccione — Jackson Lewis P.C.
• Kaitlyn Phillips — E.J. York, Inc.
• Brett Poniros, DC, CSCS — Apollo Performance Chiropractic PLLC & Apollo Performance Training LLC
• Janani Ranganathan — Regeneron Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
• Emily Rosen — Yonkers Partners in Education (YPIE)
• Brittany Rossing — NY Hospitality Group – Sam’s of Gedney Way, Caperberry Events and The Great American BBQ Co.
• Jeremy Scalchunes, BCBA, LBA-NY — Westchester Children’s Museum
• Urshila Shah, Pharm.D., BCPS — Westchester Medical Center Health Network
• Jodi Shulman — WPH Cares, White Plains Hospital
• John Sprague, MBA — Verizon
• Erica Swansen, PE, PTOE — Swans Engineering, PLLC
• Joe Trumbetti, P.E., LEED AP — RXR
• Flavia Verzivolli — Houlihan Parnes Realtors, LLC
• Brian Vigue — ENT and Allergy Associates
• Brandon W. — Million Air
• Annie Willis — Office of NYS Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins
• Melanie Zamenhof — Westchester County Bar Association / Neighbors Link

The BCW is proud to celebrate these individuals not only for what they have already achieved, but for the promise they represent for the future of Westchester. Their leadership, creativity, professional excellence and commitment to their communities embody the spirit of the Rising Stars program, which annually recognizes 40 young professionals who exceed expectations and set new standards for success.

Thank You to Our Sponsors

An event of this scale would not be possible without the extraordinary support of BCW’s sponsors and partners. The Business Council of Westchester extends its sincere gratitude to every organization that helped make the 2026 Rising Stars celebration possible.

Presenting Sponsors: Heineken and Regeneron.

Chairman Sponsors: Cappelli Organization, Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts and RXR.

Hosted By: Million Air.

Media Sponsor: Westfair Business Journal.

Supporting Sponsors: Corporate Audio Visual Services, Cuddy & Feder LLP, D&D Elevator Maintenance, Fordham University, Jackson Lewis P.C., Marsh McLennan Agency, NewYork-Presbyterian, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NewYork-Presbyterian Westchester, Rhinebeck Bank, Veekast and Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth).

VIP Reception Sponsors: Alera Group, Alliant Insurance Services, Bleakley Platt & Schmidt, Burke Rehabilitation, ENT and Allergy Associates, Galvanize Worldwide, Houlihan-Parnes Properties, IMA Financial Group, Northwell Health Phelps Hospital, Pace University, PKF O’Connor Davies, Westchester Publishing Services and Zarin & Steinmetz.

Friend Sponsors: Altium Wealth, Association of Development Officers, Citrin Cooperman, Co-Communications, Inc., Elisabeth Haub School of Law at Pace University, HSS | 4L IN Orthopedics, Houlihan Lawrence, Metro-North Railroad, Orange Bank & Trust Company, Tompkins Community Bank, Verizon, YMCA of Central & Northern Westchester and YPIE – Yonkers Partners in Education.

Event Sponsors: Aries Wine & Spirits, Million Air, Sam’s of Gedney Way, ESP Creative, Leros Point to Point, Red Oak Transportation, Walter’s Hot Dogs, Zaro’s Family Bakery and additional participating event partners.

BCW congratulates all 40 members of the 2026 Rising Stars class and thanks the sponsors, Selection Committee, attendees, colleagues, families and community partners who joined together to recognize them.

The evening served as a celebration of what these young professionals have accomplished — but also of what lies ahead. By investing in emerging leaders and giving them opportunities to connect with one another and with established members of Westchester’s business community, BCW continues its commitment to strengthening the region for generations to come.

Congratulations to the 2026 Rising Stars — Westchester’s future is brighter because of the leadership, ideas and community spirit you bring to it today.