Written in partnership with Jessica PowersMeet 30 young leaders who have demonstrated exceptional talent, drive, and dedication. From tech startups to professional sports, the 30 Under 30 list highlights the next generation of game-changers and visionaries who are making their mark on the world.
Business
Alex Rodrigues is the CEO of Embark, a company that develops autonomous vehicles for the trucking industry. He has a background in engineering, business, and leadership. Rodrigues previously worked as an engineer at the University of Waterloo, several tech startups, and on robotics research projects for NASA and the Canadian Space Agency. Under Rodrigues’ leadership, Embark has raised over $117 million in funding and partnered with major players in the trucking industry. He is a thought leader in the autonomous vehicle industry and has been featured in Forbes and The Wall Street Journal.
Aki Stein is a dynamic, young serial entrepreneur who has made a name for himself as the Wolf of Marketing. Founder and CEO of Digital Artistry, a multi-million dollar agency based in New Jersey, Aki is leading a team of over two dozen creatives dedicated to providing full-service marketing solutions for their clients. Despite starting just a few years ago, Digital Artistry has quickly become one of the fastest-growing startups of 2023. Aki’s passion for storytelling and industry insight has helped the company thrive. Most recently, they’ve acquired major investors and strategic partners to support its rapid growth. With a deep commitment to giving back to his community and positively impacting the world, Aki inspires aspiring entrepreneurs and marketing professionals worldwide. His dedication to his craft, clients, and team makes him one to watch in the ever-evolving world of digital marketing.
David Brillembourg Jr. is an entrepreneur and founder of Brillembourg Holdings, a private equity firm investing in healthcare, real estate, and financial services. He has a strong finance background, having worked at J.P. Morgan and Goldman Sachs. Brillembourg serves as a mentor to startups and young entrepreneurs and is involved in Miami’s startup community. He also supports charitable causes, including education and healthcare initiatives in Venezuela. Brillembourg holds an economics degree from Stanford University and an MBA from the Wharton School. He is recognized as a leader in business and finance and has been featured in Forbes and The Wall Street Journal.
Iman Gadzhi is a young entrepreneur and founder of IAG Media, an online marketing agency. He also founded GrowYourAgency, an online program that teaches people how to start and scale their own marketing agencies. Gadzhi dropped out of high school at 17 to pursue digital marketing, becoming a sought-after consultant. In 2016, he founded IAG Media, a successful agency working with clients worldwide. Gadzhi also helps aspiring entrepreneurs through GrowYourAgency. He’s recognized in the digital marketing industry, featured in Forbes and Entrepreneur. Gadzhi is passionate about sharing his knowledge and helping others achieve their entrepreneurial dreams.
Sebastian Ghiorghiu is a successful YouTube personality and online marketing expert, whose journey in entrepreneurship began at just 16 years old when he started selling products on eBay. He quickly developed a passion for e-commerce and digital marketing, and began sharing his knowledge and experiences on YouTube, where he has gained over 900,000 subscribers. Ghiorghiu is a leading authority on e-commerce and online marketing and runs a successful e-commerce brand, in addition to offering courses and coaching programs to help others achieve success in the field. He is passionate about inspiring the next generation of entrepreneurs and sharing his knowledge and experiences with others.
Sports
Jalen Hurts is a professional American football quarterback for the Philadelphia Eagles of the National Football League (NFL). He played for the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Oklahoma Sooners during his college football career. Hurts won two national championships with the Crimson Tide and was named the SEC Offensive Player of the Year in 2016. He transferred to Oklahoma for his senior year and was again named the Big 12 Offensive Player of the Year. The Philadelphia Eagles selected Hurts in the second round of the 2020 NFL Draft. He has since become a key player for the team, known for his athleticism, leadership, and work ethic.
Kylian Mbappé is a French footballer who plays as a forward for Paris Saint-Germain and the French national team. He began his career at AS Monaco in 2015 and quickly established himself as one of the most promising young talents in European football. In 2018, he signed with Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking transfer deal and has since become one of the most dominant players in the world. Mbappé is known for his speed, skill, and goal-scoring ability, and has been compared to football legends such as Thierry Henry.
Austin Reeves
Austin Reeves is a professional basketball player for the Los Angeles Lakers of the NBA. He played college basketball for the University of Oklahoma, where he established himself as a versatile scorer and earned All-Big 12 First Team honors in his senior season. Reeves signed a two-way contract with the Lakers after going undrafted in the 2021 NBA Draft and has shown promise as a skilled player. He is considered a rising star in the league.
Aaron Judge is a professional baseball player for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was born in California in 1992 and was a standout baseball player at Linden High School before playing college baseball at Fresno State. Judge was selected by the New York Yankees in the first round of the 2013 MLB Draft and quickly established himself as a top young player in the league, known for his power hitting. Off the field, Judge is involved in numerous charitable endeavors and is dedicated to giving back to his community.
Trevon Diggs is a talented professional football player who currently plays as a cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys of the National Football League (NFL). He was born in Maryland in 1997 and grew up in a family of athletes. Diggs played college football at the University of Alabama where he established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in college football. In the 2020 NFL Draft, he was selected by the Dallas Cowboys in the second round and quickly established himself as a key player on the team. Diggs is known for his athleticism, speed, and ball-hawking ability and has a bright future ahead of him in the league.
Entertainment
Tom Holland is an English actor and dancer who rose to fame for his portrayal of Spider-Man in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Born in London in 1996, Holland began his acting career in the West End production of Billy Elliot the Musical. He went on to star in a number of films and television shows, including The Impossible, In the Heart of the Sea, and the BBC miniseries Wolf Hall. Holland’s breakout role came in 2016 when he was cast as Peter Parker/Spider-Man in the Marvel film Captain America: Civil War. He has since reprised the role in several other Marvel films, and has become one of the most popular and beloved actors in Hollywood.
Gaten Matarazzo is an American actor who is best known for his role as Dustin Henderson in the Netflix original series, Stranger Things. Born in New Jersey in 2002, Matarazzo began his acting career at a young age, appearing in Broadway productions of Les Misérables and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. He gained widespread recognition for his role in Stranger Things, which has become one of the most popular and critically acclaimed shows on television. In addition to his acting work, Matarazzo is also an advocate for cleidocranial dysplasia, a condition that he was born with and which affects the development of bones and teeth.
Logan Paul
Logan Paul is an American YouTuber, actor, and social media personality. Born in Ohio in 1995, Paul gained popularity on the video-sharing app Vine before transitioning to YouTube. He has since become one of the most successful and controversial figures on the platform, with over 25 million subscribers. Paul has also appeared in a number of films and television shows, including the YouTube Red film The Thinning and the comedy series Weird Loners. Despite facing criticism for his controversial content and behavior, Paul remains a popular and influential figure in the world of social media, entertainment and specifically WWE.
Finn Wolfhard is a Canadian actor and musician who rose to fame for his role as Mike Wheeler in the Netflix original series, Stranger Things. Born in Vancouver in 2002, Wolfhard began his acting career in commercials and music videos before landing his breakout role in Stranger Things. He has since appeared in a number of films and television shows, including It and The Goldfinch. In addition to his acting work, Wolfhard is also a musician and plays guitar and sings in the indie rock band, Calpurnia. He has been recognized for his talent and has won several awards for his performances.
Jake Paul is an American YouTuber, boxer, and social media personality. Born in Ohio in 1997, Paul rose to fame on the now-defunct video-sharing app Vine before transitioning to YouTube. He has since become one of the most controversial and divisive figures on the platform, with over 20 million subscribers. Paul has also pursued a career in boxing, with several high-profile matches and victories. Despite the controversy, Paul remains a popular and influential figure in the world of social media and entertainment.
Social Media
Jimmy Donaldson, also known as MrBeast, was born in North Carolina in 1998 and has become a well-known American YouTuber and philanthropist. He has gained a massive following of over 70 million subscribers on his YouTube channel, where he is known for his outrageous stunts, challenges, and philanthropic activities. His impact on social media has not gone unnoticed, and he has been recognized for his dedication to giving back and making a positive difference in the world. Donaldson’s creativity and charitable nature have inspired many people to use their platforms for good, and his work continues to have a far-reaching impact.
Charli D’Amelio, born in Connecticut in 2004, has become a household name as a TikTok sensation. Her dance videos have garnered over 100 million followers on the platform and have expanded her brand to include partnerships with major brands and music collaborations. She has become a role model for many young people who aspire to become social media influencers, and her success has opened up opportunities for other young creators to showcase their talents and gain recognition.
Khaby Lame, a Senegalese-born Italian TikTok sensation, has taken the social media world by storm with his comedic videos and unique facial expressions. He has amassed over 80 million followers on the platform, making him one of the most popular personalities on TikTok. Lame’s rise to fame has been an inspiration to many young people, especially those from immigrant backgrounds, who hope to achieve success on social media. His success has helped to break down barriers and has shown that anyone can achieve their dreams with talent, hard work, and dedication. Lame continues to entertain and inspire his followers with his humor and creativity.
Kai Cenat is a rising star in the world of social media, known for his comedic videos and skits on TikTok. Born in Florida in 2001, Cenat has gained a large following, particularly on TikTok, where he has over 9 million followers. His engaging personality and unique content have earned him a dedicated fan base and have inspired many young people who aspire to achieve success on social media. Cenat’s talent and hard work have enabled him to create a career as a social media personality and content creator, and he continues to inspire and entertain his followers with his creative content.
Adin Ross, a popular Twitch streamer and content creator, was born in Florida in 2000. With his engaging personality and collaborations with other popular streamers, Ross has become a well-known name in the world of online entertainment. He has amassed over 2 million followers on Twitch and has expanded his content to include vlogs and other forms of online entertainment. Ross’ success has become an inspiration to many young people who aspire to pursue a career in content creation and streaming. He has shown that with dedication and hard work, it is possible to achieve success and make a career out of doing what you love.
Gaming
Kyle Giersdorf, also known by his online alias “Bugha”, is an American professional gamer. Born in Pennsylvania in 2002, Giersdorf gained recognition in the gaming community after winning the Fortnite World Cup in 2019. The victory earned him a $3 million prize, making him one of the highest-earning esports players in history. Giersdorf has since become a well-known figure in the gaming industry, with a large following on Twitch and other social media platforms. He has inspired many young people to pursue their dreams in esports and has proven that gaming can be a viable and rewarding career path.
Turner Tenney, also known by his online alias “Tfue”, is an American professional gamer and Twitch streamer. Born in Florida in 1997, Tenney gained recognition in the gaming community for his exceptional skills in games like Fortnite, Call of Duty, and Halo. He has competed in numerous esports events and has won several championships, including the Fortnite Fall Skirmish Series in 2018. Tenney has a massive following on Twitch and other social media platforms, where he streams his gameplay and interacts with his fans. He has become an inspiration to many young people who aspire to become professional gamers and has helped to promote the esports industry.
Eric Wright, also known as “Problem”, is an American professional Madden gamer. Born in Virginia in 1988, Wright has made a name for himself in the esports world as one of the most successful players in Madden history. He has won multiple championships and has been recognized as the Madden Bowl champion three times. Wright has also become a well-known figure in the gaming community, with a large following on social media platforms. He has inspired many young people to pursue their passion for gaming and has helped to promote the esports industry.
Brian Awadis, also known as “FaZe Rug”, is a popular American YouTuber and gamer. He gained recognition in the gaming community for his exceptional skills in Call of Duty and has since expanded his content to include vlogs, pranks, and challenges. He has a massive following on YouTube and other social media platforms, where he posts his gameplay and engages with his fans. Rug has become a well-known figure in the gaming and content creation world, inspiring many young people to pursue their passion for gaming and online entertainment.
Ali Kabbani, also known as “Myth”, is an American professional gamer and Twitch streamer. Born in Michigan in 1999, Kabbani gained recognition in the gaming community for his exceptional skills in Fortnite, one of the most popular battle royale games. He has competed in numerous esports events and has won several championships, including the Fortnite Pro-Am tournament in 2018. Kabbani has a large following on Twitch and other social media platforms, where he streams his gameplay and interacts with his fans. He has become an inspiration to many young people who aspire to become professional gamers and has helped to promote the esports industry.
Music
Bad Bunny is a Puerto Rican reggaeton singer and rapper who has become one of the most successful and influential artists in Latin music. Born Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio in 1994, Bad Bunny gained recognition for his unique style and blend of trap, reggaeton, and Latin pop. He has released several critically acclaimed albums and singles, including “Mía” and “Dakiti”, which have topped charts worldwide. Bad Bunny has been recognized for his contributions to Latin music and culture, and has won several awards, including a Latin Grammy for Best Urban Music Album. He has become a role model for young Latinx people around the world, and continues to push boundaries in the music industry.
Yeat is a rising American rapper and producer who gained popularity through social media. Born in 2002, Yeat first started producing music in his teenage years, gaining traction through platforms like SoundCloud and TikTok. His unique style and energetic performances have earned him a growing fan base, and he has since released several popular tracks including “Damage” and “Riot”. Yeat’s success as an independent artist has gained him attention from major record labels, and he is widely regarded as one of the most promising talents in the rap scene today.
Olivia Rodrigo is an American singer-songwriter and actress. Born in California in 2003, Rodrigo gained recognition for her role in the Disney+ series High School Musical: The Musical: The Series. She then skyrocketed to fame with her debut single “drivers license” in 2021, which broke several records and topped charts worldwide. Rodrigo’s music is often introspective and emotional, drawing from personal experiences and heartbreak. She has been praised for her songwriting abilities and powerful vocals, and has quickly become a role model for young people who relate to her honest and relatable lyrics.
The Kid LAROI ,born Charlton Kenneth Jeffrey Howard in Australia in 2003, is a rapidly rising star in the world of music. He first gained recognition for his collaborations with fellow Australian rapper Juice WRLD, and has since gained popularity with his own music. LAROI’s music is a blend of rap, pop, and R&B, and often deals with themes of heartbreak and personal struggles. His energetic performances and unique style have earned him a growing fan base, and he has been recognized as one of the most promising young artists in the industry today.
EST Gee is an American rapper from Louisville, Kentucky. He gained recognition in the music industry through his unique blend of trap, street rap, and soulful melodies. After releasing several mixtapes and singles, EST Gee signed with Yo Gotti’s record label CMG in 2020, and has since released several popular tracks including “Price Tag”. He has gained a reputation for his gritty, authentic lyrics and energetic performances, and has been recognized as one of the most promising young artists in hip-hop today. EST Gee’s success has earned him collaborations with several big-name artists, including Lil Durk and Future.
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