40 young Kingston professionals named in KEDCO's annual list

Educators, civil servants, and lawyers are among those chosen.

The Kingston Economic Development Corporation released it's annual 40 young professionals under 40 list.

The official list was unveiled on Friday.

In a news release, 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. They were chosen by a panel of former 40 under 40 winners.

The 2026 Kingston Young Professionals 40 Under 40 recipients are (organizations in parentheses):

• 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)

The 40 recipients will receive their awards at a gala on September 16.

Story by Ken Hashizume