Recently, Orlando Business Journal celebrated its 2025 40 Under 40 honorees, which include 19 Knights.
Meet the alumni, students and staff who are making an impact in their industries and across The City Beautiful.
Dana Damato ’10
Regional marketing manager, Greystar
Bachelor’s in English major with a minor in legal studies
Jennifer Hilaire
Executive director, The Desire Foundation
Incoming student pursing a bachelor’s in political science and minor in nonprofit management
Pedro Araujo
CMO, Orlando City Soccer Club and Orlando Pride
Senior finance student
Charlotte Leavitt ’10MPA
Operations director, Center for Independent Living in Central Florida
Master’s in public administration alum
Richardo Garcia
Co-Founder, vice president, Veterans Entrepreneurship Initiative
Former employee who worked as government resources manager for Business Inubation Program
Darrel Taylor ’09
Founder of BNA Sports
Bachelor’s in criminal justice
Cyndia Muñiz ’13EdD
Senior director of Hispanic Serving Institutions Institute, UCF
Doctorate in educational leadership
Bridget Jackson ’07
Owner, Key Life Fitness and Training Bachelor’s in health sciences and a minor in health services administration
Diego Diaz ’22
Business analyst, Innventure
Bachelor’s in finance
Adeta Gayah ’09MBA
Senior director of social media and content, Visit Orlando
Master’s in business administration
Monica McCown ’07
Consultant, Make it So Strategies
Bachelor’s in psychology
Ursula James ’23
CEO, JH Group Inc.
Master’s in business administration
Laura Lockner ’14
Executive director, Runway to Hope
Bachelor’s in theatre
Pedro Turushina ’10
President/CEO, Hispanic Chamber of Metro Orlando
Bachelor’s in art
Elizabeth (Stein) Forrest ’13MPA
COO, Dan Newlin Injury Attorneys
Master’s in public administration
Briana Rebello ’21
School partnerships program manager, Second Harvest Food Bank of Central Florida
Bachelor’s in political science, graduate certificate in public administration student
Theresa Smith-Levin ’08
Founder/chief executive director, Central Florida Vocal Arts & Opera del Sol
Bachelor’s in music education and minor in Spanish
Ryan Rapolti ’11MBA
Founder, Reception 24/7
Master’s in business administration
Latest Community
- UCF Researcher Earns Presidential Academic Honor from Native PolandMichal Masternak, a professor in the College of Medicine, has conducted research on senescence, the process of aging and decline in cellular and organismal function over time, and its role in the body.
- From the Ground UpCarol Anne Logue instilled a homegrown approach with UCF’s Innovation Districts and Incubation Program, helping the region blossom into a world-class business center.
- UCF Remembers Carl Balado, Tenured Professor of School PsychologyCarl Balado, professor of school psychology for nearly 25 years, leaves an inspiring legacy of service and dedication.
- UCF Awarded $1.25M to Prepare Special Educators, Speech-language Pathologists in AutismThrough funding from the U.S. Department of Education, Project ASD 7 will help 46 scholars from two graduate programs complete their degrees and earn a certificate in the developmental disorder.
- New Habits for the New YearProfessor of Educational Psychology Michele Gill shares a few of her favorite things that have helped her with cueing and rewarding new behaviors.
- UCF Celebrates Thad Seymour Jr.’s Impact with Honorary DegreeThe former interim UCF president was honored for his contributions to growing Central Florida and the university.
