The fourth annual awards celebrate the accomplishments of 40 outstanding Kingston Young Professionals
Kingston, Ontario – September 4, 2026 – Kingston Economic Development Corporation, together with award sponsor Rockwell Commercial, is pleased to announce the recipients of the 2026 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 Awards. The 40 honourees were selected for their professional achievements, innovative contributions and ability to lead and inspire within their fields. This year’s recipients reflect the depth and diversity of talent that calls Kingston home.
“I’m continually inspired by the remarkable talent that chooses to build a life and a career here in Kingston,” said Mayor Bryan Paterson. “This year’s 40 Under 40 recipients reflect the range of experiences, perspectives and expertise that make our city such a special place to live and work. Congratulations to all recipients.”
The nomination process is open to the public, allowing community members to nominate deserving individuals, and an external adjudication committee made up of previous 40 Under 40 recipients representing different sectors to evaluate nominations and select the recipients based on the awards’ criteria.
“Kingston’s strength has always been its people, and this year’s 40 Under 40 recipients are a wonderful reflection of the talent, ambition and leadership shaping our community,” said Donna Gillespie, Chief Executive Officer, Kingston Economic Development Corporation. “These young professionals aren’t simply building impressive careers, they’re building businesses, organizations and a stronger Kingston. Congratulations to all of this year’s recipients and nominees”
The awards will be presented to recipients at the fourth annual awards gala on September 16, 2026.
To learn more about Kingston Young Professionals and previous recipients, visit investkingston.ca/kyp
The 2026 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 recipients are:
| Tanzila Afrin | Lensense Inc. |
| Dr. Aws Almufleh, MBBS, MPH, FRCPC | Queen’s University and Kingston Health Sciences Centre |
| Robyn Binsfeld, PhD | Ontario Centre of Innovation |
| Rechell Cabresos Bernales | St. Lawrence College, BGC Southeast, PIC-KO |
| Christina Cantlay | Runners’ Choice Kingston |
| Lauren Carson | Lauren Carson |
| Dr. Sophy Chan-Nguyen | Train Labs & Queen’s University |
| Kyle Compeau | City of Kingston |
| Reid Cunningham | Hulpr Accessible Transportation |
| Ian Edginton | Cityflats |
| Adam Ferguson | Aperis Enterprises Canada |
| Rosalyn Gambhir | St. Lawrence Parks Commission |
| Maleeha Ghani | Kingston Marriott Hotel |
| Isabelle Grenier-Pleau, PhD | Queen’s University |
| Dr. Nicholas Held | Queen’s University, Canadian Institute for Military and Veteran Health Research |
| Niki Hodgskiss | Venture Food Trucks |
| Mariam Hussain | Business Development Bank of Canada |
| Tasha Jawa | Queen’s University MD, PhD Program, The Wedding Lab |
| Qurratulain Kamil, RDH | DoorStep Dental Inc. |
| Jordan Kanko, P. Eng., MASc | IPG Photonics (Canada) |
| Brandon Karonhyatatye Maracle | Kingston Native Centre and Language Nest |
| Nikki Lance, CHRP | Kingston Humane Society |
| Trevor LeBel | Kingston Process Metallurgy Inc. |
| Gauge Lee Roberts | Extend-A-Family Kingston |
| Kaycee Leigh Hargadon | KLH Creative Co. |
| Mandana Liao | CARE Canada |
| Christine Luney | New Day Marketing Co. |
| Ryan Luttikhuis | Kingston Canadian Film Festival |
| Allison Maier | Southeast Public Health |
| Suha Osman | City of Kingston |
| Cade Pentland-Boyce | Northside |
| Ciara Roberts | Tiny Horse/Little Friday Video Production |
| Emma Rochon | Improbable Escapes |
| Reid Rowe-Young | Calvin Park Public School, Limestone District School Board |
| Leah Sookhoo, RN | St. Lawrence College, School of Nursing and Queen’s University, School of Nursing |
| Tony Virgin | Cunningham Swan LLP |
| Rich Wall | Norm’s Golf & Social |
| Kent Williams, B.Mus, J.D. | Empire Life Insurance Company |
| Dr. Xiaying Xin | Queen’s University |
| Ningjing (Natalie) Zhang | BridgePoint Law Professional Corporation |
Media Contacts:
Daniel Solorio
Marketing & Communications Manager
Kingston Economic Development Corporation
613-329-9270
solorio@investkingston.ca
