SCV 40 Under Forty Nominations Are Now Open Help Us Find the Class of 2025

SCV 40 Under Forty is an award ceremony that honors 40 individuals (from ages 18-40) that are dedicated, passionate, and heart-led who actively work and lead others toward a better, brighter future within the Santa Clarita Valley and its neighboring communities.
JCI Santa Clarita and Santa Clarita Magazine are proud to announce that nomination submissions for this year’s SCV 40 under Forty is open now and close on August 15, 2025.
This year, Tressa Lacy, Morgan Aguero, and JB Martinez are co-chairing this event. Tressa and Morgan won this award last year, and they are very excited to take the lead this year. We asked the co-chairs why they are doing this event and this is what they said.
“It is such an honor to serve as a Chair of this year’s SCV 40 Under Forty. As a 2024 honoree, I was inspired by the remarkable stories and impact of my fellow awardees. They lead with such heart and purpose, and it is a privilege to be part of recognizing the next class of changemakers who are shaping our valley. Through my work as an educator, speaker, and changemaker I’ve learned that leadership takes many forms, and that it is important to create a space where diverse talents are celebrated and where community connection is front and center. I’m especially excited to work alongside our dedicated committee and partners at Santa Clarita Magazine and JCI Santa Clarita to make the 2025 event meaningful and memorable. The energy in this valley is unmatched, and I can’t wait to celebrate the next generation of difference-makers who call SCV home,” said Tressa Lacy.
“Years ago when I first heard of 40 Under Forty, I asked myself, who are these rising stars in the community? Then after being involved in JCI Santa Clarita, I joined the 40 Under Forty committee and saw the beautiful event that Brittany Barlog, Alex Hafizi, and Jessica Escorza did to highlight these honorees. I loved getting to see the passion that our peers in the Santa Clarita Valley have for their work and volunteerism. This event truly encapsulates the dedication people have to help each other and to focus on making the world a better place. So what better thing to do than help Co-Chair it in 2025 and build on the wonderful foundation! Iron sharpens iron, and I can’t think of a better event in Santa Clarita to see all our friends sharpen one another,” said JB Martinez.
“When I first saw a cover of Santa Clarita Magazine featuring the 40 Under Forty Awards, I immediately knew that I wanted to be the kind of person who was impactful enough to their community to win this award. The young people who won were inspiring to me, there was so much being accomplished by impassioned folks who valued those around them. This led me to join JCI and learn new ways to give back to the community, and then to the joy of becoming an honoree in 2024. Since then, I knew that I wanted to be part of making this incredible event happen, and when the opportunity came to co-chair the event with two of the most dynamic minds I have ever met, I jumped at the opportunity. This year, we hope to have all of Santa Clarita join with us in celebrating the folks who have achieved so much for our community and make this event a night to remember,” said Morgan Aguero.
Start nominating your friends, family members and colleagues and follow this criteria:
1. Must be between 18 and 39 years of age as of December 31, 2025.
2. Must serve in a leadership role in their work or volunteer life.
3. Must either work or live in the regions listed: Santa Clarita Valley, which includes the geographic boundaries of Castaic, Canyon Country, Valencia, Saugus, Newhall, Stevenson Ranch, Agua Dulce, and Acton; or Antelope Valley, which includes the geographic boundaries of Palmdale and Lancaster or the San Fernando Valley.
4. Is not a past 40 Under Forty Honoree.
To nominate someone go to www.scv40underforty.com/nominate.
Interested in supporting JCI Santa Clarita’s SCV 40 under Forty event? We are now looking for sponsors. With the support of this community, we have been able to keep this event going since 2009 and have had over 550 honorees. Let’s make 2025 the best year yet.
Need assistance? Contact co-chairs Tressa Lacy, Morgan Aguero, and JB Martinez by emailing them at scv40under40@gmail.com.
For more information about this event and to nominate someone go to www.scv40underforty.com.