2023 Winners
2023 Winners
With many well-qualified nominations, the judges were challenged to select just 20 people in 2023. They continue the tradition of past winners through their careers and in the community. Learn more about them.
2022 Winners
2022 Winners
With 50 well-qualified nominations, the judges were challenged to select just 20 people in 2022. They continue the tradition of past winners through their careers and in the community. Learn more about them.
Jessica Marquez
Assistant Director of Human Resources
Phil and Penny Knight Campus for Accelerating Scientific Impact
University of Oregon
Marissa Zarate
Co-Executive Director of the newly forming nonprofit consisting of:
Huerto de la Familia, Centro Latino Americano, and Downtown Languages
Joel Iboa
20 Under 40: Joel Iboa
Founding Executive Director
Oregon Just Transition Alliance
The proud son of immigrants, Joel was born and raised in Eugene and is the first in his family to graduate from college. His accomplishments and the effectiveness of his work clearly demonstrates his leadership. As Founding Executive Director for the Oregon Just Transition Alliance (OJTA), Joel served as Campaign Director of the Oregon Clean Energy Opportunity during the 2021 Legislative Session. Under his leadership Oregon now has the fastest timeline and best labor standards for 100% clean energy in the country.
Joel was a Coalition Manager for Causa Oregon, Oregon’s Immigrant Rights Organization, during the Trump administration. Joel doubled the size of One Oregon, building a statewide coalition of over 100 organizations with the sole focus of defending against anti-immigrant and anti-muslim policies and ballot measures. Joel led coalitions defending the nation’s first sanctuary law as well as advocating for the passage of HB2015, making Oregon the 14th state to allow people without legal status the ability to drive.
Joel served as chair of the Eugene Human Rights Commission (2019-2021) championing two Sanctuary resolutions and a resolution condemning white nationalism. Joel is the youngest person to be elected Chair for the Oregon Governor’s Environmental Justice Task Force (2017-Present)
At 30 years old Joel has accumulated years of service, education, and leadership experience. He supports efforts and develops strategies to engage and activate communities which support racial, economic, and climate justice for all Oregonians.
Emily Little
20 Under 40: Emily Little
Founder and Executive Director
Nurturely
It is an honor to be able to share my passion for perinatal health equity with the Eugene community as Executive Director of Nurturely. As a researcher and advocate for pregnancy, postpartum, and infant health, my work has taken me around the world. However, to truly improve outcomes for parents and babies we must work locally to change our systems and dismantle racism within perinatal care. I’m proud to put down Nurturely’s roots in the Eugene community, knowing that there is much work ahead that will be embraced by the changemakers in this community.
As the Founder of Nurturely, this work is my life, yet Nurturely has blossomed into the organization it is today not because of me, but because of the incredible educators, activists, parents, researchers, and healthcare professionals alongside me. Our intersectional team pushes for equity, shares preventative education, and creates spaces for cultural empowerment that have already shifted the narrative on what it means to support infants and parents. We are honored to collaborate with community members who share our vision of a world where wellness for infants and caregivers is a right, not a privilege.
Her work in Micronesia, Central and South America, and Southeast Asia inspired her passion for strengthening cultures of support for infants and caregivers and promoting equity in all aspects of her work.
Ross Newman
20 Under 40: Ross Newman
M.D. and Ownership Partner
Eugene Pediatric Associates
Dr. Ross Newman, an owning partner at Eugene Pediatric Associates, aims to make his patients’ appointments as comfortable as possible, taking extra time to get to know his families and build their trust. He works alongside parents to incorporate their beliefs, concerns and values with evidence-based medicine, creating treatment plans that enhance the well-being of kids and their families.
A married father of four, Ross believes that being a dad has made him a well-rounded pediatrician. In addition to teaching him empathy, fatherhood has strengthened his understanding of what moms and dads face daily
A fan of the adage “If you can’t run fast, just run far,” Ross’ love for running began when he joined the cross-country team at Harrisburg middle school. He now races competitively, from marathons to 50M runs. He sits on the board of directors for the Eugene Parks Foundation. While in residency, he joined a community program designed to combat pediatric obesity by engaging kids in weekly running groups and activities, providing them a safe place to be active and to have fun. He has started a similar program in Eugene, called Runs with Ross.
Fluent in Portuguese and Spanish, Ross has a deep appreciation for Spanish and Latino culture. In addition to spending two years in Brazil during college, he and his wife travel to her home country of Mexico frequently and lead a Spanish speaking congregation for the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.
Marissa Zarate
20 Under 40: Marissa Zarate
Co-Executive Director of the newly forming nonprofit consisting of:
Huerto de la Familia, Centro Latino Americano, and Downtown Languages
Marissa Elena Zarate is a passionate advocate and leader who is committed to creating community-driven programs and systems change. As the daughter of a Costa-Rican mother and Mexican-American father, she has a deep, personal passion for her work.
Since becoming Executive Director of Huerto de la Familia in 2015, Marissa has grown the organization extensively, more than doubling the number of families growing their own organic food in the gardens program and launching a plethora of new Latino-owned businesses in Eugene through her organization’s small business startup program for Latino entrepreneurs. Under her leadership, Huerto de la Familia received the 2019 Community Award from the City of Eugene.
Currently, Marissa is spearheading the innovative merger of her nonprofit with Centro Latino Americano and Downtown Languages to create a brand-new Latino and immigrant serving nonprofit. It will provide community members with a wide array of services and programs, and its Leadership Institute will cultivate civic engagement and leadership within the Latino and immigrant community in Lane County.
Marissa was recently recognized as a 2020 Woman of the Year recipient by the Eugene Chamber of Commerce, and she was a speaker at the University of Oregon’s TEDxUOregon event talking about “How community gardens preserve culture and grow hope.” She is currently a board member with United Way of Lane County.
In her personal life, Marissa is happiest curled up on the couch with a good book or hiking in the forest with her husband Jose, stepson Alex, and rescue dog Ruby.
Ian Winbrock
20 Under 40: Ian Winbrock
Program Lead
UO’s Center for Science Communication Research
As the Program Lead at UO’s Center for Science Communication Research, Ian advances the center’s research, teaching, and engagement. Outside of his work at UO, Ian serves as the chair of the board of directors for the Whiteaker Community Council (WCC), a Whiteaker-based nonprofit. Under his leadership, the WCC has provided over 1,100 COVID-19 vaccinations to some of Eugene’s most vulnerable residents. He also serves on the board for the Oregon Health Authority PartnerSHIP. At the PartnerSHIP, Ian guides the implementation of Oregon’s Health Improvement Plan, fostering greater health equity across the state. Additionally, Ian serves as a Lane Community College budget committee member and a police commissioner for the City of Eugene. Ian is a member-artist of the WCAT art collective where he creates interactive art installations that foster a more vibrant and equitable arts community in Eugene.
He is currently pursuing his MBA at UO and is enrolled in EUG Launchpad, the startup accelerator program of Onward Eugene. Through the accelerator, he is continuing to develop his startup ChangeFinder, a software company that improves grant application success rates for nonprofits and the foundations that fund them.
Chris Wig
20 Under 40: Chris Wig
Program Director
Emergence Addiction and Behavioral Therapies
It is a great honor to be included among this year’s 20 Under 40 rising business stars. While I have the good fortune to be recognized, it would not be possible without the support and collaboration of my colleagues at Emergence, Willamalane, and the Democratic Party of Lane County, and my brothers at Eugene Lodge 11. Each of you in your own way inspires me to become a better leader and a better man.
Having a great boss has altered the trajectory of both my career and my life. My deepest gratitude is reserved for Michael Bean, who has led Emergence as Executive Director for more than 35 years. Your friendship and mentorship have helped to transform me into the person I am today, and my commitment to you is that I will share the gifts you have given me with the next generation of leaders. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart.
The scriptures say that to whom much is given, much will be required. With that in mind, I look forward to joining with my fellow rising business stars and working together to build a safer, healthier, and more prosperous Eugene, Springfield, and Lane County.
David Teach
20 Under 40: David Teach
Network Engineer
Amazon Web Services Elemental
David Teach recently joined Amazon Web Services Elemental, an Amazon company, as a Network Engineer. David previously worked at the University of Oregon for 12 years, most recently as the Network Architect providing high-level technical leadership to create, design, and improve network tools and infrastructure necessary to keep up with the growing demand for network services in a research environment. He also served as the Managing Director & Network Architect of RouteViews, one of the world’s most extensive distributed BGP archival and looking glass services. He continues to work as a contractor for RouteViews. David is proud to be involved in the global network routing & internet community, where he’s represented the University and RouteViews in leadership capacities providing training and workshops to colleagues in the US and internationally. He has found the most fulfillment volunteering with the Network Startup Resource Center, where he has the opportunity to provide direct engineering assistance and technical training in developing regions around the globe.
Andrew Moreland
20 Under 40: Andrew Moreland
Controller
The Duck Store
Andrew is a natural born numbers guy. That’s why you’ll often find him talking accounting and business strategy at work as the Controller at The Duck Store, with business owners, or with the person he just met. Outside of work, Andrew dedicates his time with the Eugene Active 20-30 Club as their board treasurer and sits on the board for the Eugene Science Center. Woodworking is one of his passions and in 2012 he started the design company Robert Carlton Designs with his business partner Conrad Hulen. They focus on building home goods with locally sourced products. In 2020 he put his woodworking skills to the test and built over 60 school desks for families in need at Two Rivers, Dos Rios elementary school when all learning went virtual. Andrew enjoys his free time with his wife Megan and their two whippets Pre and Otis.