Photo: Five recipients of MEDA’s 20 Under 35 Award gather with Everence staff at the MEDA Convention in Richmond, Va. From Left to Right: Alex Miller; Rylan Miller; Rod Diller, senior vice president for Everence; Ken Hochstetler, President and CEO, Everence; Kaylie Tiessen; Jirah Dueck; and Andrew Yantzi. Photo provided. 

Mennonite Economic Development Associates (MEDA) recently recognized 20 young professionals for their world-changing work at the 2015 MEDA Convention in Richmond, Va. This marks the second year for the 20 Under 35 Young Professionals Changing the World Awards. Everence, a faith-based financial services organization, sponsored the initiative.

MEDA established the 20 Under 35 Awards in 2014 to recognize young professionals under 35 who exemplify MEDA’s values: faith, service and an entrepreneurial spirit. After an open call for nominations, nine Canadians and 11 Americans were selected as award recipients.

“We’re recognizing an incredible class of young professionals this year,” said Ethan Eshbach, coordinator of engagement initiatives. “These individuals are exemplary leaders in their churches, communities and businesses. Their business acumen, commitment to faith and passion for service is truly humbling.”

The 20 recipients are:

Jirah Dueck, Winnipeg, Manitoba
Andrew Yantzi, Waterloo, Ontario
Andrew Ewert, Carol Stream, Illinois
Alex Miller, Sarasota, Florida
Ben Weaver, Telford, Pennsylvania
Bethany Tran, Durham, North Carolina
Brandon Kroeker, Delta, British Colombia
Chris Ewert, Carol Stream, Illinois
Chris Meyer, Goshen, Indiana
Christina Fast, Calgary, Alberta
Derek Martin, Woolwich, Ontario
Jacob Riyadi Wibowo, Philadelphia
Jeremy Goertz, New Hamburg, Ontario
Jon Carlson, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Jono Cullar, Waterloo, Ontario
Justin Oberholtzer, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Kaylie Tiessen, Toronto, Ontario
Matthew Penner, Steinbach, Manitoba
Nate Weaver, Telford, Pennsylvania
Rylan Miller, Harper, Kansas

“The world needs to know about these people,” says Dave Warren, chief engagement officer for MEDA. “The young professionals we recognized this year are living out MEDA’s values in their workplaces and communities. We want them to know that their incredible efforts don’t go unnoticed.”

“These talented young professionals are already making an important contribution and we look forward to their future impact on the world,” adds Ken Hochstetler, Everence president and CEO. “Our communities need more people like them, who are committed to living out their faith and values.”

Five of the young professionals, Jirah Dueck, Andrew Yantzi, Alex Miller, Kaylie Tiessen and Rylan Miller, were able to attend convention this year to receive their awards. The remaining 15 honorees will be recognized at select chapter events and through personal visits in the near future.

To learn more about the 2015 recipients and t MEDA’s 20 Under 35 Awards, visit www.20under35.com.