Celebrate the Next wave of Leadership.
Together with our Presenting Sponsor, Conductor Power, the WAVE Young Professionals Network—a program of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce is proud to introduce the 2026 Four Under 40 recipients: Drey Loge, Mata Agre, Shawna Knutson, and Trevor Pumnea!
These four young professionals are making an impact through their careers, leadership, and involvement in the Brainerd Lakes Area. At the WAVE Gala, we’ll celebrate their accomplishments and reveal one recipient as the 2026 Young Professional of the Year.
But this night is bigger than four awards.
The WAVE Gala is the biggest celebration of the year for the WAVE Young Professionals Network and the employers, sponsors, coworkers, friends, and community leaders who believe in the next generation of Lakes Area leadership.
Someone believed in you. Now’s your chance to pay it forward and be that person for someone else.
Come celebrate the Four Under 40, connect with the people moving our community forward, and recognize the growing network of young professionals who are building careers, relationships, and a future right here in the Lakes Area.
Reserve your seat or bring your team.
Individual tickets and tables are now available.
Submission Deadline: June 30, 2026
All applicants will be reviewed by a committee in July.
On The Guest List
Averion Insurance; Ascensus; Aspire Creative Co.; Bedrock Dirtworks; Borden, Steinbauer, Krueger and Knudson, P.A.; Brainerd Jaycees; Brainerd Lakes Area Community Foundation; Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce; Bridges of Hope – Common Goods; Call 2 Haul; Central Lakes Drug Testing; Cheeky Roots Farm; Clow; Conductor Power; Costco; Crosslake Dental; CTC; Deerwood Bank; Essentia Health; First Western Bank & Trust; Frandsen Bank and Trust; Grand View Lodge; Happy Dancing Turtle; Hearth Room, The; Hubbard Radio & 2060 Digital; J. Hanson Real Estate Group; Jack Pine Brewery; Jacobs Financial; Jim’s Electric; Lakes Area Bookkeeping (LAB); Lakes Area Habitat For Humanity; Lakes Printing; Luminate Bank; Magnum Research Inc.; Mid Minnesota Federal Credit Union; Mount Ski Gull; Navigate North; Nelson-Torfin Real Estate Group; Northland Arboretum; One Digital; Pequot Manufacturing; Pine Haven Shoreline & Wetland Restoration; Ruth Ann Veith – Edina Realty; Sunshine’s Summerhouse Restaurant & Catering; Susan M. Koering – Author, The Anatomy of a Role Model; T.C.B.X. Trucking, Inc.; The Vintage Golf Club; TLC Medical Company; Waste Partners; Widseth; Wild Rice Depot; Wilde North; Woods to Water Real Estate
Join the Celebration
Wednesday, October 21
Grand View Lodge
Don’t miss out on WAVE Young Professionals Network’s biggest evening of the year!
Top Level Tables | $1,000: 2 Remaining
Mid Level Tables | $800: 3 Remaining
Standard Level Tables: SOLD OUT
WAVE Gala Schedule
4:00 PM | WAVE Exclusive Social Hour – Reserved for WAVE Members & their guests
5:00 PM | GALA Social Hour
6:00 PM | Dinner & Awards Program to Follow
Attire Inspo.
Join us for an evening to celebrate at the WAVE Gala. Cocktail attire is encouraged, but not required. If you wish, take it a step further and lean into the Among the Stars dress code theme. Think deep blues, black, silver, gold, white, metallics and a little sparkle. On theme is encouraged, never required.
The Four Under 40 Awards recognize young professionals between the ages of 18 and 39 who live and work in the Brainerd Lakes Area. These four honorees exemplify leadership, ambition, and community impact—and inspire others to strive for excellence in all they do.
Award Criteria
Professional Excellence
Nominees should exhibit excellence in their profession, demonstrating a high level of expertise and accomplishment.
Leadership
Nominees should demonstrate strong leadership qualities, inspiring and motivating others to achieve success.
Community Involvement
Nominees should be actively engaged in their community, volunteering their time and talents to support local causes and organizations.
Potential for Future Success
Nominees should show promise for continued success and leadership in their careers and community.
Award Recognition
Each winner will receive a personalized award at the WAVE Gala.
Each award recipient will receive $500 for a local charity of their choice. The Young Professional of the Year will receive an additional $500 for their local charity.
Four Under 40 recipients will also receive recognition at the Chamber’s Celebration of Excellence in November.
Past Recipients
- 2024: Alex Bitter
- 2024: Erich Heppner
- 2024: Cory Jay
- 2024: Vanessa Ruedisili
- 2025: Colton Maher
- 2025: Scott Lykins
- 2025: Max Walter
- 2025: Jesse Zahn
Nomination & Application Process
Nominations are open to the public and may be submitted by individuals, businesses, or community organizations. Self-nominations are accepted. Applicants do NOT have to be members of WAVE or be Chamber members.
Nominees will be assessed based on Award criteria and the quality of content provided. Nominations must be completed and submitted by 5PM on Tuesday, June 30, 2026.
Judging Process
All applications will be reviewed in July by an anonymous panel of judges comprised of Chamber representatives, WAVE members, and community leaders. Judges will evaluate each nominee based on the award criteria. The judging committee will name four finalists, which will be publicized in advance of the award ceremony.
Why Attend?
- Celebrate with your community: Enjoy a night out with friends while celebrating the accomplishments of the WAVE community and the young professionals shaping the future of our region.
- Strengthen your WAVE connections: Reconnect with fellow WAVE members and continue building relationships with other young professionals who share your passion for leadership and community impact.
- Kick off the evening at the WAVE Social Hour, Sponsored by Jack Pine Brewery: Set the tone for evening with a high-energy social experience hosted by and for the WAVE Young Professionals Network. This pre-event gathering is designed to spark connections, welcome new and familiar faces, and enjoy gathering together before the Awards program begins. WAVE Members and their young professionals guests can enjoy a complimentary drink and early access to the experience.
- Be in the room where leadership is celebrated: Join business leaders, community champions, and emerging professionals from across the Brainerd Lakes region for an evening recognizing the next wave of leadership.
WAVE GALA SPONSORS
WAVE PROGRAM SPONSORS
