The Top 10 in 10 ‘Young Professionals to Watch’ initiative celebrates outstanding young professionals who are making a measurable difference in Cherokee County today. This recognition honors residents ages 20–40 whose leadership, service, and professional achievements are strengthening our community now and will continue to shape its success for years to come.
2026 Top 10 in 10 ‘Young Professionals to Watch’
The rising stars recognized as Cherokee County’s next generation of community leaders include (front row, l to r): Laura Rollins Derrick, Partner, Dyer Rusbridge Argo PC; Mallory Woernlein, Radiology Manager, Northside Hospital Cherokee; Emily Johnson, Assistant Solicitor General, Cherokee County Office of the Solicitor-General; Abigail Cuneio, Senior Assistant General Manager, Chick-fil-A Canton; Elise Holcomb, Communications & Project Manager, Cherokee Office of Economic Development.
(back row, l to r): Dakota Botts, Community Liaison, Comfort Keepers; Juan Valencia, Owner, V&V Printing and Apparel; Dr. Josephine Sagoo, Pediatric Nurse Practitioner, Northside Cherokee Pediatrics; Brian Golson, Engineering Supervisor, Georgia Power Company; Jacky Cheng, Digital Content Specialist, City of Canton/Explore Canton.
Top 10 in 10 Young Professionals to Watch
Past Honorees
Past Honorees
2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trent Anderson Kathryn Cruz Annie DeLuca Adam Fussell Ashley Rowe Harwell Lauren Hrib Dr. Chelsea Leming Dana Spayde Alana Jacobs Ware Lauren Youmans | Casey Barton Casey Belli Dr. Neely Bursmith Laura Chambers Daylan Greene Jesse Hamilton Vanna Hernandez Chris Luly Hillary Nichols Kevin Turner | Madison Beaulieu Zack Bobo Joshua Cole Kristin Norton Green Lindsay Harris Justin Lamb Ashley Polito Michael Sims Thomas Trawick Ashley Witcher | Kyle Bennett Sarah Bowen Brady Cornelison Sandi Harrison Alyssa Rumsey Sheehan Jacob Sluder Andy Smith Marcie Smith Rajpal Sagoo Bethany Watson | Jeremy Adams Brian Albrecht Lindsay Bowley Christopher Brazelton Robert Capovilla Angela Cortellino Savannah Holcomb Elizabeth Lanier Evans Anna Teal Coty Thigpen |
2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 |
| Kelly Dobson Victoria Hill Blake Honea Paige Reid Eric Rein Nick Richert Amanda Rostin Jose Luis Sanchez Rebekah Smith Luke Williams | Colin Ake Hayden Holcomb Jamie Johnston Dr. Ashley Kennerly Justin Page Emili Roman Melissa Sneed Dr. Daniel Tari Marsha Terry Crystal Welch | Jessica Akers Leah Bleisath Nick Estes Ollie Evans Michael Manzella Heath Matiak Tori O’Bryant Julie Peppers Jennifer Puckett Brandon Roberts | Kayla Cleveland Jennifer Davo Kristi Estes Amy Hall Jessica Helms Evan Ingram Courtney Putnam Jennifer Reynolds Abby Roach Dixie Williams | Rachel Ashe Will Carlan Ashley Carlile Brittany Duncan Melissa Forrester Amy Graham Todd Hayes Dr. Rory Hekking Angela Reece Cory Wilson |
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | |
| Meagan Biello Paul Ghanouni Matt McClain David Pitts Kryss Roch Adam Smith Mark Smith Ben Thacker Matthew Thomas Kyle Wallace | Zach Blend Doug Fountain Michelle Homier Blake Kononen Lee Lusk Karen Norred Brian Stockton Jordan Thrasher Shannon Wallace Katie E. Wise | Josh Bagby Rand Bagwell Michael Caldwell John Cline Cleve Hill Barbara Jacoby Jake Osaer Jamie Pritchett Rebekah Shelnutt Heath Tippens | Chris Bishop Neil Blackman Greta Foll Mark Goddard Alison Higgins Erika Neldner Jason Nelms Billy Peppers Jeff Rusbridge Jeremy Swafford |
THANK YOU TO OUR ELITE PARTNERS!!
THANK YOU TO OUR PLATINUM PARTNERS!!
