The Greater Minden Chamber honored the area’s top young leaders during the 15 Under 40 Awards Gala on October 7 at the Minden Civic Center. The event, presented by TG Companies, drew a large crowd to celebrate the accomplishments of professionals making an impact in the community.
This year’s top honor, the 2025 Terry L. Gardner Young Professional of the Year Award, was presented to Neisa Murray.
“This person has used her gifts not simply to build a career but to build a community. She has turned hardship into hope and vision into opportunity for others,” said Sarah Overall, last year’s award recipient. “Her work has inspired entrepreneurs, uplifted families, and sparked change in ways that is impossible to overlook.”
Murray is the owner of NeNe’s Corner, a graphic design company in Minden. She also organized Pop Up & Pose, a Juneteenth celebration, and founded Hearts & Halos, a nonprofit that supports families experiencing the loss of an infant or pregnancy.
“She doesn’t just talk about change, she creates it. She doesn’t just lift herself, she lifts everyone around her,” Overall said.
This year’s 15 Under 40 honorees were Brianna Arrington, Realtor/Owner of Jadore Real Estate; Jessica Bordelon, controller for Hunt Forest Products; Ashlee Drake, administrative assistant to Mayor Nick Cox; Stephen Dickerson, foreman and crew leader for Mettle Services; Ana Fleming, teacher at Central Elementary; Krystal Friday, principal of J.L. Jones Elementary; Reagan Lee, teacher and coach at Webster Junior High School; Lance McGuire, owner/CEO of Championship Carts and branch manager of Black Label Services; Dr. Sarah McNeil, pediatrician at Busy Bee Pediatrics; Hannah Pevy, instructional coach at the Webster Parish School Board; Tiffany Ritchie, teacher at J.L. Jones Elementary; Dr. Chelsea Shaw, veterinarian at Minden Animal Clinic; Katie Tippen, membership engagement coordinator for the Greater Minden Chamber; and Kyle Towns, owner of Kyle Towns Services.
Presenters for the evening were Carlie Day and Jerame Durden, with guest speaker Max Causey, a Super Bowl official.
The 15 Under 40 Awards program, presented annually by TG Companies, recognizes emerging professionals under age 40 for their leadership, volunteerism, and contributions to the growth of the Greater Minden area.
