The U of A is well represented on this year's '40 under 40' list

Five members of the University of Arizona community are on this year's 40 Under 40, which recognizes Tucson professionals under the age of 40 for leadership, service and commitment to advancing the Southern Arizona community.

The list is presented by the Tucson Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, the Arizona Daily Star and the law firm Snell & Wilmer.

The university employees on this year's list are:

• Denisse Brito, Manager for Learning and Engagement, Center for Creative Photography
• Stephanie Feder, Senior Director of Business Development, Andrew Weil Center for Integrative Medicine
• Danielle Oxnam, Project Director, University Initiatives and Policy
• Alyssa Padilla, Assistant Director of Operations, Comprehensive Center for Pain and Addiction

The 2025 40 Under 40 honorees will be recognized at an Aug. 26 awards breakfast at the Tucson Convention Center, which will feature a keynote address by Olympic gold medal-winning gymnast Kerri Strug.

LQP caught up with this year's employee honorees to hear their reactions to being recognized.

"It's a huge honor," said Oxnam. "My work as a project director is varied, but the thread that ties it all together is helping make the university a better place to work, study and live. This award is about recognizing people who are trying to make Southern Arizona better, and I'm proud to be doing that at a place that's right at the heart of it."

"Being named to the 40 Under 40 list is such an honor – and really a reflection of the work we're doing to elevate integrative medicine and wellness around the world," Feder said. "It's a great reminder that the passion and persistence behind our mission are making an impact."

"This award is truly an honor. It helps me and others dedicate our careers to public service and creating a better Arizona for everyone," Padilla said. "It brings visibility to our work to improve communities and advance science, education and outreach, and allows us to connect with others doing similar work to enhance the Southern Arizona experience and impact."

"I'm honored to be included in this year's 40 Under 40 class," Brito said. "This recognition highlights the value of the arts in higher education and the important role institutions like the Center for Creative Photography play in connecting people through creativity, history and visual culture. I'm proud to represent the University and the arts community in Southern Arizona."

Also being honored is Adriana Grijalva, Associated Students of the University of Arizona president and an undergraduate student in political science and Spanish.

"Being named to the 40 Under 40 list for 2025 is an incredible honor that reflects not just my work, but the support and guidance I've received from so many mentors, colleagues and my family at the University of Arizona," Grijalva said. "As the first woman and only the second student body president to serve two terms, this recognition reaffirms that the work we do especially for the underserved and the student community truly matters."

The university also had strong showings on the 2024 list and 2023 list.