Acadiana's 2025 Top 20 under 40 - the705

Acadiana’s 2025 Top 20 under 40

Each year the705, Acadiana’s premier young professionals’ organization, honors twenty young leaders in Acadiana (between 21 and 40 years old) with the 20 Under 40 Award – recognizing those who have distinguished themselves in our community and motivating other young leaders throughout Acadiana.

Congratulations to the705’s 17th Annual Top 20 Under 40
Acadiana Leadership Award Honorees, presented by Advancial Federal Credit Union:

Jessica Allain, Partner, Jones Walker LLP

Murugan Ambalakannu, Director of Consulting Services, CGI

Amber Dominique Bessard, Owner, Train with Amber Fitness | Founder, Festival de Fit Fete

Ross Cockrell, Development Director, Holy Family Catholic School

Brianna G. Davis, Parish Director, Boys & Girls Clubs of Acadiana

Candice Dazet, Assistant Director of Student Engagement and Leadership, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Ryan Devillier, Center Director, Louisiana Small Business Development Center at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Christopher “Tipper” Esponge, President & Owner, E & L Construction Group, LLC | Mayor of the Town of Delcambre

Grace Farnell, Senior Consultant, CGI

Corrie R. Gallien, Attorney & Founder, Gallien Law

Dr. Madeleine Groth, Owner & Doctor, Madeleine Groth DDS, LLC

De’Marquis Hamilton, CEO, Iberia Comprehensive Community Health Center, Inc.

Mary-Katherine Hooper, Corporate Director of Compliance, Unitech Training Academy

Dr. Jorden R. Melton Jr., Associate Director for Strategic Initiatives and Program Director, University of Louisiana at Lafayette

Kylie Miller, Senior Consultant, U.S. Early Career Programs and Partnerships, CGI

Sarah Nugent, President, CETCO Energy Services

Mary Pham, Community Relations Supervisor, Acadian Ambulance

Krystal Romero, Outreach Representative, Louisiana Department of Justice | Registered Nurse, Our Lady of Lourdes Regional Medical Center

Valerie Thompson, Tobacco Cessation Coordinator/Public Health Nutritionist, Southwest Louisiana Area Health Education Center

Layla Touchet, Professional School Counselor, Prairie Elementary School

The 705's Top 20 Under 40 Acadiana Leadership Awards Alumni