A Generation of Leaders

These inventive achievers meld fresh ideas and a strong work ethic to help shape the valley’s future

Kathy Strong Social Scene

This year’s 40 honorees, chosen from 229 nominees, gathered at The Saguaro Palm Springs.
Photography by David Fox, Ethan Kaminsky, and Dominic Verhulst

 

Every four years, Palm Springs Life celebrates the Coachella Valley’s newest generation of up-and-coming inspirational stars.

This year’s 40 honorees, chosen from 229 nominees, are self-admitted geeks, risk takers, hard workers, philanthropists, and open-minded thinkers who represent myriad professions from designers, tribal leaders, and entrepreneurs to medical professionals, marketing gurus, educators, artists, and innovative chefs.

However, one common thread links all 40 of them: a shared enthusiasm for what their generation is contributing to the valley and to the world.

We gathered these overachievers this summer at The Saguaro Palm Springs to photograph, interview, and shoot video of them, with the hotel’s colorful décor serving as a perfect backdrop.

Take a good look. These are the valley’s newest leaders and innovators.

As one astute honoree summed it up, “Coachella Valley, you are in good hands.”

Special thanks to: Agua Caliente Band of Cahuilla Indians, Agua Caliente Casino Resort Spa, The Spa Resort Casino, Integrated Wealth Management, El Paseo Jewelers, Tequila Alderete, The Saguaro Palm Springs, Tinto, and Kaminsky Productions.

 

40 Under Forty Selections

(Each recipient's link includes a bio and video)

 

    AMIR AFSAR, 36

 

   RON ALDERETE, 38

 

   MICHAEL BECKMAN, 37

 

   EMILY BIRD-HRIVNAK, 39

 

   EZEKIEL BONILLAS, 32

 

   REBECCA BROWN, 36

 

   MATTHEW BUEHLER, 25

 

  TORY CHRISTENSEN, 36

 

  ASHLEE CIORA, 36

 

  DREW DAVIS, 34

 

  KENNETH EBNER, 35

 

  JACI FITZSIMONDS, 38

 

  MARA GLADSTONE, 36

 

  JEFF GRUBBE, 37

 

  KATHARINE JOHNSON, 31

 

  CASEY JONES, 20

 

  CHRISTOPHER KENNEDY, 38

 

  JAIME KOWAL, 35

 

  ALEX LECHUGA, 32

 

  KELLY MCLEAN, 29

 

  DOMINIQUE MEDINA, 25

 

  KARINA MEDINA-THOMAS, 29

 

  MICHELE MICIAN, 38

 

  REID D. MILANOVICH, 30

 

  LIBERTY NAUD, 34

 

  ENGIN ONURAL, 29

 

  DR. NICOLE ORTIZ, 34

 

  CHRIS PARDO, 35

 

  JEFF PATTERSON, 35

 

  JOE PRADETTO, 28

 

  BIANCA RAE, 25

 

  GREG RUBINO, 37

 

  ERIN SCOTT, 27

 

  PATRICK SERVICE, 30

 

    CHRISTINE STEIN, 30

 

  DARRELL TUCCI, 37

 

    ASHLEY VERTUNO, 26

 

  GERRY WASHACK, 31 & CASEY WASHACK, 35

 

  DAVID WOODS, 39

 

  JOSH ZIPPERMAN, 32