32 Under 32: Shining Through

Celebrating the emerging talent igniting our industry

Our vibrant community gives the Twin Cities color. What makes us shine, however, are the people who light us up – those that beam with talent and make the industry brighter. On June 11, we’re setting the Mosaic Venue aglow to highlight these individuals. Join us to celebrate those 32 and under whose impacts shine through.

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FAQ

Congratulations to the 2026 32 Under 32 nominees listed below!

Our list is based off the spelling and information submitted by nominators. If you have corrections or edits, please reach out to 32Under32@AdFed.org so we can properly recognize nominees. An additional questionnaire for event programming purposes will be emailed to nominees closer to the event time.

  • Abbie Kinn, True Media
  • Abby Kohner, Carmichael Lynch
  • Abi Spethmann, Ovative Group
  • Adam Thomas, Ovative Group
  • Addison West, Bold Orange
  • Alejandro Romero, Carmichael Lynch
  • Aleksandra Gurneau, KNOCK Inc.
  • Alex Hostetler, The Lacek Group
  • Aliana Kell, Carmichael Lynch
  • Althea Larson, AdFed Minnesota
  • Angely Guevara, Curious Plot
  • Anna Matenaer, Carmichael Lynch
  • Anna Torrez, Lola Red
  • Anna Zollar, Jack Link’s Protein Snacks
  • Anne Richardson, SixSpeed
  • Annie Huynh, Colle McVoy
  • Arwa Bashir, Ovative Group
  • Ash Nichols, KNOCK Inc.
  • Ashley Lueck, True Media
  • Audrey Campbell, Curious Plot
  • Avalon Seckinger, Bold Orange
  • Becky Josephson, Curious Plot
  • Ben Farmer, KNOCK Inc.
  • Ben Nicholson, BBDO MW
  • Ben Vaske, Collective Measures
  • Brenna Zollman, The Lacek Group
  • Brett Fischer, Collective Measures
  • Briana Lerner, WPP Media
  • Brianna Smiley, Bold Orange
  • Brinley Zoller, Mall of America
  • Bryce Fongvongsa, Ovative Group
  • Carly Richardson, Ovative Group
  • Caroline Mendez Pedraza, Ovative Group
  • Carter Gruss, Carmichael Lynch
  • Carter Mason, broadhead.
  • Catherine Boonstra, MONO
  • Cecilia Harold, Hunt Adkins
  • Chelsey Fulton, Collective Measures
  • Chloe Hoff, Colle McVoy
  • Chloe Ward, Colle McVoy
  • Chris Birkholm, The Agency at MSP
  • Claire Barrera, broadhead.
  • Claire Johnston, Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Connie Xiong, KNOCK Inc.
  • Corey Jolma, The Lacek Group
  • Courtney Gosso, Colle McVoy
  • Daelin Mackey, True Media
  • Dani Stratton, Roundpeg Consulting
  • Danielle Martins, Bullseye Media
  • Elise Oxford, Hunt Adkins
  • Elisha Axelson, KNOCK Inc.
  • Elizabeth Gaule, Securian Financial
  • Ellen Mullen, The Lacek Group
  • Ellie Brockman, Ovative Group
  • Emilia Johansen, Carmichael Lynch
  • Emily Dehn, Curious Plot
  • Emily McCallson, Great Clips
  • Emma Pitzl, The Agency at MSP
  • Emma Trettel, Curious Plot
  • Ethan Farina, Ovative Group
  • Eva Berezovsky, KNOCK Inc.
  • Femi Adewola, Carmichael Lynch
  • Feyisayo Ayobamidele, Ovative Group
  • Fuechee Thao, KNOCK Inc.
  • Gabby Foss, True Media
  • Gabriella Scarpa, KNOCK Inc.
  • Gavin Bowman, Ovative Group
  • Gianna Camorani, Freelance / Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Hanna Lacke, Ovative Group
  • Hannah Bronston, Roundpeg Consulting
  • Hannah Downs, KNOCK Inc.
  • Hannah Hill, SixSpeed and Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Hannah McMahon, Carmichael Lynch
  • Hannah Pawlak, The Agency at MSP
  • Hannah Peterson, FINN Partners
  • Harry deGrood, Rise and Shine and Partners
  • Isabelle Olson, Curious Plot
  • Jace Aspling, True Media
  • Jack Plahn, SixSpeed
  • Jade Childers, Pixel B
  • Jaelynn Jackson, Carmichael Lynch
  • Jake Folska, Carmichael Lynch
  • Jamey Boerjan Moertel, Collective Measures and Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Jeremiah “Jay-J” Schuster, Harvest Film Company
  • Jayne Heitner, Colle McVoy
  • Jenna Frank, MONO
  • Jensine Beyer, KNOCK Inc.
  • Johanna Beierle, Mall of America
  • Jordyn Odagwe, WPP Media
  • Jorge Vazquez, Colle McVoy
  • Joseph Wheaton, Bold Orange
  • JP McMonagle, KNOCK Inc.
  • JT Torgeson, Carmichael Lynch
  • Juhyun Kwon, Ovative Group
  • Julia Carey, True Media
  • Julia Gasper, Solve
  • Justin Vang, Rise and Shine and Partners
  • Kaitlyn Huss, Ovative Group
  • Kalalyna Murphy, KNOCK Inc.
  • Kalika Yamada, MONO
  • Kate Barker, Lola Red
  • Kate Johnson, SixSpeed
  • Kate Witte, Mall of America
  • Katerina Sines, KNOCK Inc.
  • Katie Rohling, Lola Red
  • Keenan O’Neill, Appcast, Inc.
  • Kelsey Hanscom, The Agency at MSP
  • Kennedy Perkins, MONO
  • Koisey Hiama, Thrivent
  • Kyle Caulfield, Ovative Group
  • Kyle Jensen, Ovative Group
  • Kyle Tsuchiya, Carmichael Lynch
  • Kyra Lucke, Ovative Group
  • Lauren Demchuk, Appcast, Inc.
  • Lauren Fontaine, Carmichael Lynch
  • Lauren Smith, Rise and Shine and Partners
  • Lester Zhu, Ovative Group
  • Levi Thoreson, Bullseye Media
  • LiFan Liao, Ovative Group
  • Lilli Ferry Ellis, The Social Lights
  • Lily Nguyen, X-FCTR and Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Livio Bolzon, Ovative Group
  • Madeline Fix, KNOCK Inc.
  • Madison Amland, Mall of America
  • Madison Guetter, Bold Orange
  • Madison Hermann, Ovative Group
  • Maggie Cooper, Ovative Group
  • Maren Viker, broadhead.
  • Maria Camila Prada Torres, Bold Orange
  • Marie Campos, Lake Street Council
  • Mary Knack, Carmichael Lynch
  • Mason Pint, Carmichael Lynch
  • Matt Campion, KNOCK Inc.
  • Maya Ellis, Clarity Coverdale Fury
  • Megan Koenig, Appcast, Inc.
  • Melissa Curwick, Bold Orange
  • Mic Kuschel, Studio Kuschel
  • Michael Lee, The Lacek Group
  • Molly Hoopingarner, Colle McVoy
  • Morgan Briere, Lola Red
  • Narra Moreen, The Social Lights
  • Natalie Kauls, WPP Media
  • Natalie Nordskog, Ovative Group
  • Nathan Prachanty, Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Nick Fredrickson, Ovative Group
  • Nicole Luczynski, Ovative Group
  • Nikki Frick, The Social Lights
  • Noah Vande Loo, Colle McVoy
  • Noelle Singer, KNOCK Inc.
  • Olga Baumann Arias, Best Buy
  • Paul Hudachek, Colle McVoy
  • Petra Holtze, Carmichael Lynch
  • Phung Banh, KNOCK Inc.
  • Quinn Romero, Carmichael Lynch
  • Rachel Gruntner, Ovative Group
  • Riley Runnoe, Ovative Group
  • Hannah Johnson, The Agency at MSP
  • Saji Fernandes, Ovative Group
  • Sam King, Freelance and Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Saskia Van Riessen, The Social Lights
  • Scott Westerman, Carmichael Lynch
  • Selena Thor, Rise and Shine and Partners
  • September Olsen, Bold Orange
  • Shelby Stahl, Beloved Social
  • Simone Asen-Klaskin, Ovative Group
  • Skylar Rohling, Appcast, Inc.
  • Sophia Flamini, Ovative Group
  • Sophie Ringold, Knock
  • Spencer Godfrey, Collective Measures
  • Stephanie Kirk, Ovative Group
  • Summer Freed, The Social Lights
  • Sydney Schoeberle, Bellmont Partners
  • Sydney Skemp, JT Mega and Ad 2 Minnesota
  • Sydney Tigue, Carmichael Lynch Relate
  • Tabitha Evans, Rise and Shine and Partners
  • Tamar Patterson, The Social Lights
  • Thomas Bailey, Ovative Group
  • Tori Surma, Ovative Group
  • Trey Spille, Ovative Group
  • Trushna Visavadia, Ovative Group
  • Tyler Samler, The Lacek Group
  • Valentina Lopez, Ovative Group
  • Vincent Eckles, Ovative Group
  • Yunha Seo, KNOCK Inc.
  • Zéa Hirsh, Collective Measures

 

Event Details

  • Thursday, June 11, 2026, 6–9:30 pm at Mosaic Venue (817 5th Ave S, Suite 300, Minneapolis, MN 55404)

Agenda:

  • 6–7:30pm: Check-In, Networking, Food & Drink
  • 7:30–8:30pm: Awards Ceremony
  • 8:30–9:30pm: Wrap-Up

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Frequently Asked Questions

Nominations

Who is eligible to be a nominee?

Any professionals working in advertising or marketing in Minnesota or for Minnesota-based companies. They must be 32 or under at the time of the award. (June 11, 2026)

Why is there a nomination fee?

As our event grows, a nomination fee helps us continue providing each nominee with a discounted ticket to the event. A portion of the fee proceeds will go to Ad 2 MN’s 2026 Public Service client, Joy Collaborative. Joy Collaborative is a Minnesota-based nonprofit founded in 2019 designing and building joyful, therapeutic spaces for people with life-limiting and complex medical conditions. 

Do nominees receive a discounted ticket? 

Yes, nominees receive a discounted ticket to attend the 32 Under 32 award event. This does not include a plus one. An Eventbrite promo code will be sent to them via email. If nominees cannot find the code, please email 32under32@adfed.org to follow-up.

Note that the discounted nominee ticket is intended for the nominee’s individual attendance only and cannot be applied toward a table purchase or used to offset the cost of a table. Companies wishing to bring a group are encouraged to purchase a table, which can include seats for their nominees.

When do nominations close?

“5/14 Edit: Nominations have been extended and will now close Sunday, May 17, 2026

When will the nominee list be posted?

The nominees list will be posted on the AdFed.org website on Tuesday, May 19, 2026.

What makes a good nomination?

The best nominations are specific and complete. Judges evaluate each submission across three areas: how your nominee supports their team, what they’ve contributed to their organization, and how they’re involved in the broader community. A nomination that speaks to all three — with real examples and concrete details — will always be stronger than one with general praise.

If you don’t know all the answers, it’s okay to ask your nominee directly. A thorough nomination matters more than a surprise.

When will winners be announced?

Winners will be announced live at the 32 Under 32 event on June 11 at Mosaic Venue. Winners will be posted to the AdFed.org website the following day.

Judging

Who are the judges?

Judges are  leaders and luminaries in the Minnesota advertising and marketing industry, volunteering their time and expertise to evaluate every nomination.

How does the judging process work?

All nominations are anonymized before they reach our judges — names and companies are removed so every nominee is evaluated purely on the strength of their submission. We also make sure no one is judged by someone from their own agency or company.

From there, judges evaluate each nomination against four questions, scoring each one on a 1–5 scale. Every nomination is reviewed by multiple judges, and the final scores are averaged to determine the 32 Under 32 class.

Event

How do I buy tickets?

Tickets and tables are for sale on our Eventbrite. Special ticket packages are also available for certain sponsorship packages.

Can I book a table for my company?

Yes! Tables of 12 are available on our Eventbrite.

Where is the event?

32 Under 32 2026 will be taking place at Mosaic Venue, located at 817 5th Ave S, Minneapolis, MN 55404.

Where do I park for the ceremony?

Several options are available near the venue:

    • On-site: Paid parking, a 250-space underground lot with direct elevator access to our event space — available after 3pm. Enter with your vehicle from 8th Street, navigating to 501 S 8th St.
    • Centre Village Ramp: Paid parking, a short half-block walk northwest.
    • Kensington Lot: Paid parking, located half a block south, accommodating up to 125 vehicles.
    • MPLS Street parking: Available on 5th Ave, 8th St, and 9th St.

Will there be food and beverages? If so, what kind?

Yes! Light hors d’oeuvres will be served. A cash bar will be open as well. 

What is the dress code? What should I wear?

The dress code is semi-formal. If this were a brief, we’d also add to err more on the side of color, gradients and evening wear as opposed to more casual fare. That said, wear what makes you light up and glow. Take a look at our socials for a sense of suggested color palette.

Can my company sponsor the event?

Yes! Please reach out to Ad 2’s Executive Sponsorship Director Courtney Humphrey at 32Under32@AdFed.org.

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