Do you want to be a BD+C 40 Under 40 superstar?

1. Career development

You must show the growth of your skills, responsibility, and success in your chosen profession: How fast you moved up the career ladder, how you took on increasing responsibility, how well you did in handling increasingly responsible roles.

2. Education attainment

While formal education is not always a reliable indicator of career growth, the judges need to know how far you've gone in your education and how it contributed to your overall career development. Did you earn an advanced degree at night while working a full-time job? Did you go back to get advanced training—like a CDT or EDAC or some other professional designation?

3. Service to professional organizations

How involved are you in your professional organization(s)? Are you more than "a member of ..."? Did you chair a key committee? Run an education event for your society? Serve on the board?

4. Community service

Habitat for Humanity? What roles/titles did you assume in your community work? Were you President of your church board? Being a member of your firm's CANstruction team is one thing; devoting a year's volunteer work to chair an important committee for your college alma mater is another.

5. Other evidence of exemplary professional or personal development

Are you involved in activities not specifically related to work or community/professional service—for example, are you learning to play the bassoon? Why? Here's your chance to tell a little about the inner you.

How To Submit Your 40 Under 40 Application

Does this sound like you? You're in luck. We're currently looking for young, rising stars to be a part of our 40 Under 40 "Class of 2025". Our application process is simple:

1. Make sure you are eligible. Nominees must be under the age of 40 as of August 31, 2025, to be eligible.
2. Review the 40 Under 40 Frequently Asked Questions, especially if this is your first time submitting.
3. Review our “How to Win” Tips and Advice. These tips go a long way with the judges, so make sure to give them a read!
4. Check out our previous winners to see the kind of well-rounded superstars we're looking for.
5. Begin writing your Personal Statement.
6. Compile supporting documents (Résumé/CV, portfolio, letters of endorsement, etc.).
7. Submit entire application via our new online portal.

Kimberly Dowdell, AIA, NOMAC, NCARB, LEED AP BD+C, SEED
Principal, Director of Strategic Relationships          
HOK          
Chicago, Ill.

Kimberly was elected as the first Black woman and first Millennial to serve as the 100th President of the American Institute of Architects (AIA). First Millennial President of NOMA (2019-2020), helping to grow the organization's membership by 273%. Co-founder, Social Economic Environmental Design (SEED) Network.

Before the age of 25, co-created the NOMA Annual Service Project, helping architects make civic contributions to communities across the nation. Co-founded HOK Impact in 2010, a social outreach program encouraging synergies between the built form and philanthropic outreach.

Michael I. Howard, AIA, ASLA, AICP
Principal, Director of Planning & Interiors
Parkhill
Frisco, Texas

Michael started as a CAD draftsman at Parkhill in 2007 and was named youngest principal and partner at age 36. Holds licenses in architecture and landscape architecture and certification as a city planner.

Opened Parkhill’s Frisco, Texas, office in 2013; now leads a staff of >50. Graduate, Leadership Frisco (Frisco Chamber of Commerce); chair of curriculum, Leadership Frisco Advisory Council. Helped raise >$20,000 toward the construction of the Frisco Community Garden.

Christian Lawrence
Founder, CEO
RISE Modular
Minneapolis, Minn.

Christian founded RISE Modular in 2019, and by 2021, completed the five-story, 192-unit modular project Alvera Apartments in St. Paul. “I saw modular working in other countries and starting to come to the U.S. I wanted to build a project that way, but there weren’t any suppliers in the central U.S. and not enough suppliers in the U.S. overall. So, I decided to become one.”

Has grown the company to 159 employees in just four years. He was also the founding partner at Lake Harriet Development in 2018.

Stephen Reichwein, PE, SE  
Principal  
Severud Associates  
New York, N.Y.

Stephen served as the Project Director for the structural design of Sphere at The Venetian in Las Vegas, Nev. His first major project, The Madison Square Garden Transformation, received the highest engineering excellence awards in its category from ACEC, SEAoNY, and NCSEA.

Co-Chair, Programs Committee, Structural Engineering Association of New York (2015–Current). Member, ASCE Chapter 26 Wind Loads on Buildings Committee, Structural Engineering Institute (2017–2021). Guest Lecturer, Penn State College of Engineering (2020).

Alissa Bautista  
Preconstruction Manager, Hawaii Division  
Rosendin Electric  
Aiea, Hawaii

Alissa is a member (and 2024-2025 President) of the National Association of Women in Construction, Hawaii Chapter 114. Member, Communications Committee, The Rosendin Foundation, which since 2021 has raised more than $1 million for community focused nonprofits. Partnered with Make-A-Wish to build a therapy clubhouse for a child with autism and severe seizure disorder.

She was named a Power Mover to Watch in 2024 by Building Industry Hawaii. Pacific Business News 40 under 40 honoree (2023). Key recent projects include $3.2 million reconstruction of Kaiaulu O Kupuohi affordable housing complex that was destroyed by Lahaina fires in August 2023; and the $8 million electrical contract for the Wai Kai Waterfront recreational facility.