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The 40 Under Forty, Class of 2020 F ive or 10 years from now, when you look back on 2020, what will you say about this year? Regardless of how the coronavirus pandemic, calls for social justice, and economic recession impacted you over the short and long term, this certainly has been a year like no other. We've gone through a complete shutdown due to the pandemic, figuring out how to live and work while remaining socially distant, those with children and pets now having to incorporate them as regular fixtures in their professional lives, seeing societal inequities exposed locally and across the nation, trying to understand what activities are safe to restart and the best way to do so. is year's 40 Under Forty class is certainly like no other. Although full of the archetypal up-and-coming leaders of Central Massachusetts business organizations, each member of the Class of 2020 has found a way to thrive in the midst of an international crisis and – more oen than not – are taking the lead in helping the local community fight its way through to the other side, even as they go through the same adjustments to their personal and professional lives as the rest of us. Among the winners this year are entrepreneurs who have found new ways to meet the rapidly changing needs of the world, company leaders who are helping their firms protect employees and support their communities, advocates for social justice who have made their voices louder in a chaotic time, and – at their core – caring people who want the best for their families and friends, their businesses and our society. For good or bad, 2020 will be a year we all remember vividly. For all the danger, chaos, problems and negativity surrounding this year, there still are plenty of good things to celebrate. Here we have the 40 newest members of WBJ's 40 Under Forty family, the best among our region's young professionals who are making us all better. – Brad Kane, editor All 2020 40 Under Forty photos taken by Matt Wright 16 Worcester Business Journal | August 17, 2020 | wbjournal.com 4 0 U N D E R F O R T Y