The judges had their work cut out for them when they were tasked with selecting 40 outstanding community and business leaders for the Business Journal’s Forty Under 40 awards. So many young people are starting businesses, leading corporations, managing people and projects, volunteering, juggling spouses and children. With this award, we honor young professionals who take community service to the next level. They are the future of our community and we tip our hats to their awesome commitment to professional, personal and philanthropic endeavors.

How exactly do 40 people rise to the top each year? The Forty Under 40 awards are about well-rounded lifestyles that focus on work and community. Plenty of businesspeople give 110% to their jobs, making this region thrive economically. However, lots of people go beyond that and donate their personal time and talents to the Lowcountry’s countless nonprofits and charitable organizations. We take this opportunity to honor those who go above and beyond in both realms.

A special thank-you to this year’s judges--past Forty Under 40 winners Crissy Ortiz and Natalie Lawrence, and SC Biz News managing editor Andy Owens.

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Photographs by Leslie Burden