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2026 Top 40 Under 40 Presented by BDO LLP

Nominations open Friday, December 12, 2025 for the 12th Annual Top 40 Program, presented by BDO LLP. This signature Chamber initiative celebrates exceptional individuals who inspire, lead, and contribute to the Central Okanagan’s thriving business and community landscape.

In partnership with our program sponsor BDO LLP, we are proud to once again recognize remarkable leaders who elevate and strengthen our region through their work, innovation, and community engagement.

Each year, the focus alternates between ‘Under 40’ and ‘Over 40’ honourees. This distinction allows us to highlight both experienced mentors who shape the next generation and emerging professionals who are carving bold new paths for the future.

Top 40 Under 40

For 2026, we are proud to present the Top 40 Under 40, shining a spotlight on the next generation of leaders, innovators, and change-makers in our community.

Our independent judging panel—comprised of accomplished business and community leaders—evaluates each nominee based on their professional achievements, leadership, philanthropy, innovation, and community impact.

Nomination Period

Nominations open: December 12, 2025
Nominations close: February 20, 2026

Nominate an exceptional individual under the age of 40 who has demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas:

  • Business Success & Entrepreneurship

  • Innovation & Technology

  • Social Advocacy

  • Environmental Sustainability

  • Arts & Cultural Achievement

  • Government or Legal Affairs

  • Indigenous Leadership & Achievement

  • Health & Medicine

  • Science & Research

  • Community Service

Through partnerships with local media, all 40 honourees will be profiled throughout the program to showcase their achievements and contributions to the Central Okanagan. Neither the nominator nor nominee is required to be a Kelowna Chamber member.

Important Dates

  • Dec 12, 2025: Program launch & nominations open

  • Feb 20, 2026: Nominations close

  • Apr 9, 2026: Top 40 Under 40 announcement

  • April – June 2026: Weekly media highlights of honourees

  • June 2026: Top 40 Community Celebration

Nominee Criteria

  • Nominees must be under 40 years of age as of January 1, 2026.

  • Must reside and work in the Central Okanagan and have contributed meaningfully to the community within the past 24 months.

  • Individuals previously recognized in the Top 40 Under/Over 40 program are not eligible.

  • Nominees do not need to be Kelowna Chamber members.

  • Employees, Board Members, Judges, or direct contractors of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce are not eligible.

  • Self-nominations are accepted.

  • Judging is based on the nominee’s activities and accomplishments over the past 3–5 years.

Information collected from honourees may be shared with program sponsor BDO LLP for internal use.

Nomination Requirements

  • Nominations open December 12, 2025 and close at 11:59 PM on February 20, 2026.

  • A person or company may submit multiple nominations.

  • Incomplete or late nominations will not be considered.

  • All nominations are evaluated by an independent judging panel using a numerical scoring system.

  • A minimum score of 80/100 is required to be recognized as an honouree.

  • All submissions are subject to verification and are protected under the Kelowna Chamber’s privacy policy.

Disclosure

  • Information collected from honourees (bio, photo, etc.) becomes the property of the Kelowna Chamber for promotional purposes, including current and future marketing materials.

  • Nominees may be contacted for interviews, photography, and promotional use.

  • A nominee may be disqualified if they cannot complete the required interviews or photo submissions in a timely manner or if false information is provided.

Contact

For more information, please contact the Kelowna Chamber Top 40 Program at hello@kelownachamber.org

History of the Top 40 Program

The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce launched the Top 40 Program in 2014, in partnership with BDO LLP, to recognize and celebrate the emerging leaders who drive success and growth in our community.
In 2017, the Top 40 Over 40 program was introduced to honour established professionals and mentors who continue to make outstanding contributions to the region.

Now celebrating over a decade of community recognition, the Top 40 Program remains a cornerstone initiative—amplifying the stories of those shaping Kelowna’s future.