Oakland County Executive Dave Coulter, joined by sportscaster and 2025 honoree Brad Galli, on Monday announced the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2026, recognizing 40 emerging leaders who are driving positive change across Oakland County and throughout our region.
This year’s class was unveiled in a special video announcement featuring Coulter and 2025 honoree Brad Galli, underscoring the program’s growing network of influential leaders and its continued momentum in spotlighting the county’s rising talent.
“Each year, this program highlights the very best of our young leaders who are making a difference today and helping to build a stronger future for all of us,” Coulter said, “And it shows the incredible depth of talent and innovation that exists across Oakland County.”
Selected by a committee of community leaders and county officials, the Class of 2026 includes professionals from a wide range of industries, including business, law, public service, education, nonprofit leadership and the arts. Throughout the year, honorees will participate in events designed to foster collaboration, connection and continued community impact. All live or work in Oakland County.
Highlighted honorees include:
—Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwamé L. Rowe, a jurist and former prosecutor whose career reflects a deep commitment to justice, public safety and community engagement in Oakland County. Currently serving on the Oakland County Circuit Court, including in the Adult Treatment Court focused on men’s mental health and sobriety, he brings a balanced, rehabilitative approach to the bench.
Prior to his judicial role, Rowe prosecuted cases ranging from narcotics and human trafficking to child welfare, earning recognition for both his legal skill and dedication to protecting vulnerable populations. Beyond the courtroom, he is an active mentor, educator and speaker, guiding aspiring attorneys and engaging young people through outreach programs across the region. Through his service, leadership and advocacy, Rowe continues to strengthen the justice system while making a meaningful and lasting impact on the Pontiac community.
—Aaron Martinez, an attorney, public servant and community leader who has quickly built a distinguished career spanning law, government, and civic engagement. A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, he has litigated complex cases across Michigan, including serving as associate trial counsel on a historic $27.5 million jury verdict and representing more than 12,000 voters in a high-profile constitutional case. In 2025, he made history as the first Latino elected to the Novi City Council, where he now helps shape local policy and infrastructure decisions.
Martinez’s commitment to public service is further reflected in his work with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, his leadership in professional legal organizations and his longstanding involvement in community and political initiatives. Through his advocacy, leadership and dedication to expanding access to justice and representation, Martinez continues to make a meaningful impact across Oakland County.
The complete list of the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 includes:
• Fernando Bales of Pontiac, chief product officer of Citizen Robotics
• Cescily Barnes of Farmington Hills, public health project leader for the Detroit Health Department
• Alexandria Bingham of Waterford, city clerk for the City of Birmingham
• Nicholas Blackmond of Grosse Pointe Woods, quality improvement manager at the Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic in Pontiac
• Jamar Bray of Southfield, assistant economic vitality manager for the City of Pontiac
• Cristia Brockway of Livonia, economic development director for City of Farmington Hills
• Kimberly S. Buddin of Novi, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union
• Brynn Cooksey of Belleville, owner of Air Doctors Heating and Cooling and HVAC U in Southfield
• Bruno Alejandro Olvera Diaz of Detroit, director of Diversity Supplier Development at Stellantis in Auburn Hills
• Kanika Ferency of Rochester, senior assistant prosecuting attorney at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office
• Mike Greene of Royal Oak, city administrator for the City of Lathrup Village
• Dr. Reda Jaber of Bloomfield Hills, director of Enterprise Innovation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• Shweta Kapur, Ph. D., of Troy, visiting assistant professor at Oakland University
• Ashley Kemp-Watkins of Farmington, senior analyst for Workforce, Training and Economic Development at Magna Services of America, Inc.
• Aaron R. Martinez of Novi, attorney at the Law Offices of Jason Waechter and Novi city councilman
• Amanda May of Madison Heights, chief behavioral health officer at Honor Community Health
• Sam Miller of Huntington Woods, deputy chief of investigations for the Michigan Department of Attorney General
• Emily Mueller of Farmington Hills, director of Community Investments for United Way for Southeastern Michigan
• Emad Nawasreh of Bloomfield Hills, CEO of Cyber Firm Solutions
• Christopher Okoye of Novi, CEO and founder of Chinedu and Associates, vice president of ICare Home Help
• Katie Chaka Parks, Ph.D., of Oakland Township, director of education at The Zekelman Holocaust Center
• Jody Paulan of Waterford, project manager/senior business development analyst for NorthStar Clean Energy
• Sara Pitchford of Hazel Park, clinical mental health therapist at Nature’s Playhouse
• Melanie Plank of Brighton, owner and instructor of Play and Grow in Milford
• Gisele Poole of Waterford, director of quality & data at Community Housing Network
• Monica Rattee of Hazel Park, bookkeeper/event coordinator for Hazel Park Promise Zone
• Davida Reed of Pontiac, owner of Divine Twenty Six
• Judge Kwamé L. Rowe of Pontiac, judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court
• Jake Serwer of Bloomfield Hills, founder & CEO of Espresso Public Relations LLC
• Paul Shkreli of Lake Orion, attorney at Shkreli Legal PLLC
• Andrew Skandalaris of Clarkston, partner and founder of Quantum Services Group, an Oakland County–based technology services company
• Angelina M. Sulaka of Franklin, attorney and chief of court unit security branch for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Art Thompson III of New Hudson, chief information officer for City of Detroit
• Raghavender Tummala of South Lyon, EV safety subject matter expert for General Motors
• Ashley R. Turner of Highland, attorney at Patrick and Associates, PLLC
• Adrian J. Walker of Royal Oak, regional manager of Corporate & Government Affairs at DTE
• Kory Woods of Pontiac, Detroit Lions beat reporter for MLive
• Joann Wrobel of Birmingham, public health nutrition supervisor at the Oakland County Health Division
• Chantelle S. Yancy, Ph.D., of Troy, supervisor of wellness and community engagement at Troy School District
• Zach Zuchowicz of Waterford, DEI and community engagement coordinator for Oakland County Parks
For additional information about Oakland Together 40 Under 40, visit OakGov.com/40under40.
This year’s class was unveiled in a special video announcement featuring Coulter and 2025 honoree Brad Galli, underscoring the program’s growing network of influential leaders and its continued momentum in spotlighting the county’s rising talent.
“Each year, this program highlights the very best of our young leaders who are making a difference today and helping to build a stronger future for all of us,” Coulter said, “And it shows the incredible depth of talent and innovation that exists across Oakland County.”
Selected by a committee of community leaders and county officials, the Class of 2026 includes professionals from a wide range of industries, including business, law, public service, education, nonprofit leadership and the arts. Throughout the year, honorees will participate in events designed to foster collaboration, connection and continued community impact. All live or work in Oakland County.
Highlighted honorees include:
—Oakland County Circuit Court Judge Kwamé L. Rowe, a jurist and former prosecutor whose career reflects a deep commitment to justice, public safety and community engagement in Oakland County. Currently serving on the Oakland County Circuit Court, including in the Adult Treatment Court focused on men’s mental health and sobriety, he brings a balanced, rehabilitative approach to the bench.
Prior to his judicial role, Rowe prosecuted cases ranging from narcotics and human trafficking to child welfare, earning recognition for both his legal skill and dedication to protecting vulnerable populations. Beyond the courtroom, he is an active mentor, educator and speaker, guiding aspiring attorneys and engaging young people through outreach programs across the region. Through his service, leadership and advocacy, Rowe continues to strengthen the justice system while making a meaningful and lasting impact on the Pontiac community.
—Aaron Martinez, an attorney, public servant and community leader who has quickly built a distinguished career spanning law, government, and civic engagement. A graduate of the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law, he has litigated complex cases across Michigan, including serving as associate trial counsel on a historic $27.5 million jury verdict and representing more than 12,000 voters in a high-profile constitutional case. In 2025, he made history as the first Latino elected to the Novi City Council, where he now helps shape local policy and infrastructure decisions.
Martinez’s commitment to public service is further reflected in his work with the Michigan Department of Attorney General, his leadership in professional legal organizations and his longstanding involvement in community and political initiatives. Through his advocacy, leadership and dedication to expanding access to justice and representation, Martinez continues to make a meaningful impact across Oakland County.
The complete list of the Oakland Together 40 Under 40 Class of 2026 includes:
• Fernando Bales of Pontiac, chief product officer of Citizen Robotics
• Cescily Barnes of Farmington Hills, public health project leader for the Detroit Health Department
• Alexandria Bingham of Waterford, city clerk for the City of Birmingham
• Nicholas Blackmond of Grosse Pointe Woods, quality improvement manager at the Dr. Gary Burnstein Community Health Clinic in Pontiac
• Jamar Bray of Southfield, assistant economic vitality manager for the City of Pontiac
• Cristia Brockway of Livonia, economic development director for City of Farmington Hills
• Kimberly S. Buddin of Novi, senior policy counsel at the American Civil Liberties Union
• Brynn Cooksey of Belleville, owner of Air Doctors Heating and Cooling and HVAC U in Southfield
• Bruno Alejandro Olvera Diaz of Detroit, director of Diversity Supplier Development at Stellantis in Auburn Hills
• Kanika Ferency of Rochester, senior assistant prosecuting attorney at the Oakland County Prosecutor’s Office
• Mike Greene of Royal Oak, city administrator for the City of Lathrup Village
• Dr. Reda Jaber of Bloomfield Hills, director of Enterprise Innovation at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Michigan
• Shweta Kapur, Ph. D., of Troy, visiting assistant professor at Oakland University
• Ashley Kemp-Watkins of Farmington, senior analyst for Workforce, Training and Economic Development at Magna Services of America, Inc.
• Aaron R. Martinez of Novi, attorney at the Law Offices of Jason Waechter and Novi city councilman
• Amanda May of Madison Heights, chief behavioral health officer at Honor Community Health
• Sam Miller of Huntington Woods, deputy chief of investigations for the Michigan Department of Attorney General
• Emily Mueller of Farmington Hills, director of Community Investments for United Way for Southeastern Michigan
• Emad Nawasreh of Bloomfield Hills, CEO of Cyber Firm Solutions
• Christopher Okoye of Novi, CEO and founder of Chinedu and Associates, vice president of ICare Home Help
• Katie Chaka Parks, Ph.D., of Oakland Township, director of education at The Zekelman Holocaust Center
• Jody Paulan of Waterford, project manager/senior business development analyst for NorthStar Clean Energy
• Sara Pitchford of Hazel Park, clinical mental health therapist at Nature’s Playhouse
• Melanie Plank of Brighton, owner and instructor of Play and Grow in Milford
• Gisele Poole of Waterford, director of quality & data at Community Housing Network
• Monica Rattee of Hazel Park, bookkeeper/event coordinator for Hazel Park Promise Zone
• Davida Reed of Pontiac, owner of Divine Twenty Six
• Judge Kwamé L. Rowe of Pontiac, judge of the Oakland County Circuit Court
• Jake Serwer of Bloomfield Hills, founder & CEO of Espresso Public Relations LLC
• Paul Shkreli of Lake Orion, attorney at Shkreli Legal PLLC
• Andrew Skandalaris of Clarkston, partner and founder of Quantum Services Group, an Oakland County–based technology services company
• Angelina M. Sulaka of Franklin, attorney and chief of court unit security branch for the Administrative Office of the United States Courts
• Art Thompson III of New Hudson, chief information officer for City of Detroit
• Raghavender Tummala of South Lyon, EV safety subject matter expert for General Motors
• Ashley R. Turner of Highland, attorney at Patrick and Associates, PLLC
• Adrian J. Walker of Royal Oak, regional manager of Corporate & Government Affairs at DTE
• Kory Woods of Pontiac, Detroit Lions beat reporter for MLive
• Joann Wrobel of Birmingham, public health nutrition supervisor at the Oakland County Health Division
• Chantelle S. Yancy, Ph.D., of Troy, supervisor of wellness and community engagement at Troy School District
• Zach Zuchowicz of Waterford, DEI and community engagement coordinator for Oakland County Parks
For additional information about Oakland Together 40 Under 40, visit OakGov.com/40under40.
