Honored to Be Among Philly’s Top 40 Under 40

Grateful to be named one of Philadelphia's Top 40 Under 40. Reflecting on growth, mentorship, and the risks that drive meaningful success.

Last year, I had the incredible honor of being named one of the Top 13 IT professionals in the Philadelphia region by the Philadelphia Business Journal. At the time, I was humbled and thrilled to be recognized for my work in technology and innovation. But this year, I’m doubly grateful to share that I’ve been named one of Philadelphia’s Top 40 Under 40!

To say I’m honored would be an understatement. Joining this group of accomplished leaders feels surreal—these are individuals I’ve long admired for their vision, drive, and impact. They say you should surround yourself with people smarter than you, and this recognition feels like a testament to that philosophy. It’s both humbling and motivating to be included in such a talented cohort.

But awards like these aren’t just about personal milestones—they’re reminders of why we do what we do. For me, it’s always been about growth: improving myself, positively impacting those around me, and staying curious enough to try new things—even when they scare me.

The Power of Mentorship and Risk

This journey hasn’t been without its challenges. In fact, I recently found myself grappling with doubt about one of my ventures—ReplyWire, a project I’ve poured my heart into. During a particularly uncertain moment, I turned to one of my mentors for advice. Here’s how that conversation went:

Mentor: “If you weren’t working on this project, what would you be doing?”
Me: After some thought, I replied, “I’d probably end up working somewhere and being bored…”
Mentor: “Well, this is what you signed up for.”

That simple exchange was a wake-up call. It reminded me that pursuing something meaningful often comes with discomfort and risk. But isn’t that the point? Growth doesn’t come from playing it safe; it comes from leaning into uncertainty and giving it everything you’ve got.

Lessons Learned Along the Way

This recognition has given me a moment to reflect on some key lessons that have shaped my journey so far:

1. Take Risks That Align With Your Purpose
   Starting ReplyWire was a leap of faith—one that required time, money, and emotional investment. But every step has reinforced an important truth: if you’re not willing to take risks for what matters most to you, you’ll never know what’s possible. Whether it succeeds or fails isn’t the point; it’s about committing fully to something you believe in.

   Example: When I first pitched ReplyWire to potential collaborators, I faced skepticism about whether the market needed another solution in our space. Instead of backing down, I leaned into user feedback and iterated on our approach until we found traction.

2. Surround Yourself With People Who Inspire You
   One of the greatest joys of being recognized by the Philadelphia Business Journal is joining a network of leaders who push boundaries in their respective fields. These are people who challenge me to think bigger and approach problems creatively.

   Example: A fellow honoree shared how they scaled their nonprofit by leveraging partnerships I hadn’t considered before. That conversation sparked ideas I’m now applying to ReplyWire’s growth strategy.

3. Celebrate Progress Without Losing Sight of What’s Next
   Awards are milestones—not finish lines. While it’s important to celebrate wins, it’s equally important to stay focused on continuous improvement. For me, that means asking: How can I better serve my team? How can I create more value for our users? How can I make a greater impact in my community?

   Example: After last year’s recognition as a top IT professional, I set out to mentor more young professionals entering the tech industry. This year alone, I’ve had the privilege of guiding three mentees through career transitions.

Final Thoughts

If there’s one thing this journey has taught me, it’s this: everything will be alright in the end—and if it’s not alright, it’s not the end. Recognition like this is wonderful validation, but it’s not why we do what we do. We take risks because we believe in something bigger than ourselves: a vision worth chasing, even when the path forward isn’t clear.

To everyone who has supported me along the way—mentors, colleagues, friends—thank you for believing in me when I doubted myself. And to anyone considering their own leap of faith: remember that growth lies on the other side of risk.

Here’s to continuing the journey!

Everything will be alright in the end. If it's not alright, it's not the end