Meet this year’s class of top young professionals from around the region.
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A recent study by an online marketplace for tutors and students named Hartford as a top 10 U.S. city for recent college graduates based on a number of factors, including strong starting salaries, an abundance of financial-services jobs and relatively affordable cost of living compared to other major cities.

The study by HeyTutor may be a surprise to some, especially given the negative perception of Connecticut in recent years, but it shows Greater Hartford has some key ingredients to attract young professionals.
The truth is, Greater Hartford already has a strong cohort of young professionals making a difference at their respective organizations and the broader community. It’s important to spotlight them in order to show others that starting and making a career here can pay dividends, both professionally and personally.
And that’s the purpose of 40 Under Forty. Every year for the last 23 years, Hartford Business Journal, with the help of our independent judges, has selected 40 top young professionals who are leading their respective organizations.
This year we received 177 nominations, an 8 percent increase from 2018. Narrowing down the list to 40 deserving winners was a difficult task. More importantly, our winners provide evidence that our region has a vast young talent pool. As a state, we must do everything in our power to keep them here.
Our 2019 winners hail from the private, public and nonprofit sectors and from organizations both small and large.
We’d like to thank this year’s judges (Tara Constanzo, Wilson Camelo and Julie Daly Meehan) for helping choose our winners. We will be celebrating our annual 40 Under Forty event Sept. 26, at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field.
We’d also like to thank the Hartford Yard Goats and Dunkin’ Donuts Park in downtown Hartford, which hosted this year’s photo shoot.
And if you think you have what it takes to be part of a future 40 Under Forty class, we ask that you submit a nomination next year. This award is only as strong as the class of individuals who are nominated for it.
And many nominees represent the promising future of our city, region and state.
Greg Bordonaro | Editor
Meet HBJ's 2019 40 Under Forty Awards honorees
Judges
Wilson Camelo is president and chief marketing officer of Camelo Communication, a marketing communication agency specialized in multicultural marketing.
Tara Costanzo is the co-owner of Costanzo Clothing, which provides custom clothing to clients in their home or office.
Julie Daly Meehan is the chief investor relations officer at the MetroHartford Alliance.



