See the complete list of winners
STAMFORD – The Westfair Business Journal’s Class of 2026 40 under Forty lived up to its moniker as a “high-concentration think tank” Thursday night at The Stamford Hotel.
The latest honorees, which join a roster of 840 alumni over the past 21 years, include eight founders and people from such industries as financial services (7), attorneys (5), real estate (3), and legislators (2).
Michael Crystal, founder and managing principal of Myriad Development Group and guest speaker, tried to inspire this year’s group of winners by reminding them about their responsibility to their business and personal community.
“When I look around this room, I see a high concentration think tank of people who are firmly rewriting the rules of how we work, how we lead and how we give back,” Crystal said. “I want to challenge each and every one of you not to think of it (making the Westfair 40 under Forty list) as a finish line, but as a launch pad.
“You have already mastered the ‘what’ of your career – the technical skills and the great (ability) to stand out. Now as you move into the next phase of your leadership, I want to get into the how and the why.”
He added that as true leaders, their job isn’t just to hit the targets. “It’s turn vision into reality and build cultures where everyone feels like they own a piece of the vision,” he said.
The awards ceremony was led by MC Matt Scott, meteorologist/Co-host Fox 61 Morning News, who used his comical schtick to enlighten the audience.
The judges for the awards were Nelson Merchan, business advisor of the Connecticut Small Business Development Center and Dr. Nikki Wingate, associate professor of marketing at Sacred Heart University’s Welch College of Business and Technology.
The event, which drew about 300 people, was sponsored by The Stamford Hotel, Martin LLP Counselors at Law, Action Entertainment, CBRE, Citrin Cooperman, DR Bank, Lexus of Westport, Moneco Advisors, Mandelbaum Barrett PC, New England Antique Lumber, the New York Yankees, Sacred Heart University, Sharc Creative and Yale New Haven Health.
Another message that resonated at the event was delivered by one of the longtime judges.
“It’s not about how the honorees, all of you, are dedicated to your profession and committed to excellence in doing your job,” Wingate said. “But somehow these wonderful honorees find time outside all of their calendar of events to find that positive energy out there and spread it among their community.”
The winners, who were given a couple of minutes to answer questions posed to them by Scott, displayed that spirit as they accepted their awards from the members of their local chamber of commerce.
“I represent not just myself, but 100 girls who I empower and mentor every single day,” said Bobbi Brown, CEO of #100Girleading Inc. “This is really in their honor for the work that we do for women in the City of Bridgeport.”
When asked who she would love to have dinner with, Brown went right to a legend in TV broadcasting. “If there was someone that I would love to talk to – which is really the reason we started our mentorship program for them to talk to great leaders – it would would be Oprah Winfrey,” she said. “As a kid, I have adored the work that she did for her community. And one of the questions I would ask her is, knowing what she knows today about the industry, would she still choose the same path?’”
Matt Vogt, owner and president of New England Aquatic Services LLC, also cited his work in the community for his success.
“My father told me when I first got involved in the community (Board of Education and Town Building Committee) I never made more enemies trying to help people (than when I didn’t),” Vogt said. “That rings true in a certain way that no matter when you try to give back you’re going to attract negative attention, misinformed attention. But the fact of the matter is there is nothing better than giving back to your community and making meaningful change.”
Jason Nova, communications advisor to Danbury Mayor Roberto Alves, believes that good deeds leads to more good deeds in the community, especially among young leaders.
“A common misconception about young professionals is that they lack loyalty,” Nova said. “In reality, many are deeply committed to the organization. The loyalty is earned through meaningful work, growth opportunity and strong leadership. Rather than staying out of obligation, they choose to invest in the organization that invested in them.”
Winners were introduced by chambers of commerce Chamber partners included the Bridgeport Regional Business Council the Connecticut Business & Industry Association, and the chambers of Brookfield, Darien, Fairfield, Greater Danbury, Greater Valley, Greater Norwalk, Greenwich, Stamford, Westport-Weston, and Wilton.
One more task Crystal asked of his “think tank” was to learn to pay their knowledge and experience forward while also nurturing their own careers.
“You’re going want to learn how to be patiently impatient,” he said. “And if you can’t be patiently impatient, then be impatiently patient. We learn a culture of now. I want a promotion now. Expansion now. Results yesterday.
“As you leave here tonight, I want you to remember this: Don’t just be successful. Be significant. Success is about what you accumulate. Significance is about what you contribute. Use your influence to mentor someone who may think or feel very different than you.”
