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28 Worcester Business Journal | August 20, 2018 | wbjournal.com F O C U S 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y In 2014, Commonwealth Magazine gave Campanale a 6-percent chance of winning her first election to the state House of Representatives. She not only beat the odds to become the first woman elected from the 17th Worcester District – representing about 40,000 people in Leicester and part of Worcester – but the 29-year-old freshman legislator was appointed to the powerful House Committee on Ways & Means, which develops the $40-billion state budget. In her time at the State House, Campanale introduced legislation to deal with the student loan crisis, where employees could pay off their debts by making tax-free payroll contributions and employers would receive financial incentives to contribute toward the loan payments as well. Campanale has worked on legislation to address the opioid crisis. She has helped secure state funding for local projects, including $1 million for the Rawson Street Bridge and $2 million for Stiles Reservoir Dam in Leicester, and $400,000 for Stearns Tavern and $100,000 for Coes Pond in Worcester. Her favorite aspect of the job is speaking with students on all levels, and she volunteers for the Reach Out & Read program and mentors through YOU, Inc. – B.K. From judge Kate Sharry: "Kate's constituents are lucky to have such a hardworking, dedicated and smart woman on their side." If you could go back in time, when would you go back to? I love history! As Jimmy Buffett says in his song Boat Drinks, "You pick the century, and I'll pick the spot!" What is the best advice you've ever gotten? "Don't complain unless you get involved." I wouldn't be where I am today if my parents did not instill the importance of being engaged and thinking for myself. Kate D. Campanale, 32 State representative Massachusetts House of Representatives Lives: Worcester Birthplace: Worcester College: Sweet Briar College in Virginia In the three years since Canuel graduated, his video game startup has grown and become so recognized in the industry, Becker College has made it a cornerstone of its expansion into the field. Canuel started Petricore the day after his graduation in 2015 and today, the company – which provides art, design, programming and production services – has five full-time employees and its mobile gaming app has been downloaded more than 700,000 times, attracting people looking to play addictive games like Shopping Spree and Mind the Arrow. When Becker opened its new $7.3-million innovation and entrepreneurship center in March, Petricore was the first company to move into the building, the entrepreneurial result of the college's video game program which now makes up one- third of its student body. Canuel's advised students interested in forming their own startups and attends science, technology, math and engineering events to speak with students about video game development. Canuel creates recreation opportunities through his involvement in Working for Worcester. Canuel won the 2017 Playcrafting Boston Rising Pixel Award from an industry group, the 2016 Becker College Alumni Association Excellence Award and 2016 Worcester Regional Chamber of Commerce Entrepreneur of the Year. – G.W. From judge Milka Njoroge: "Ryan has won several awards in recognition of his work and commitment to the community." After it is all said and done, what do you want people to say about you? If people can pronounce my last name right by that time, I'd call it a huge win. What four people would you take on a road trip? Will Wright, Sid Meier, Neil Young and Jeff Bezos. I could learn a lot from them. Ryan Canuel, 25 Co-founder & CEO Petricore, Inc., Worcester Lives: Worcester Birthplace: Fall River College: Becker College Photo taken at Worcester Art Museum.