Sports
Forbes unveils 2026 Under 30 list with 70% Gen Z honorees
Coco Gauff, Mikey Madison, and 598 others recognized for transformative leadership
Forbes today unveiled its 15th annual 30 Under 30 List for the Class of 2026, recognizing 600 leaders from North America within 20 different industries who are leading transformative change within business, culture, and entrepreneurship.
The publication’s associate editor noted that for this year’s 15th anniversary list, Gen Z is taking on more leadership roles and rethinking how impact is created through art, healthcare, education, and other sectors. AI is booming and becoming integrated into every aspect of lives and businesses, and this year’s list makers are harnessing technical skills to create new paths to success.
Altogether, Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 has raised $3.8 billion in funding and amassed a 200 million-plus following on social media, showcasing their massive reach and impact. This year’s list features the largest cohort of Gen Z honorees ever, with 70 percent of the cohort being Gen Z, jumping up from 50 percent last year.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 Class of 2026 highlights honorees across 20 different industries including Art & Style, Media, Hollywood & Entertainment, Education, Science, Healthcare, Sports, Music, Finance, Food & Drink, Social Impact, Manufacturing & Industry, Venture Capital, Marketing & Advertising, Retail & Ecommerce, Games, and Social Media.
Tennis star and business mogul Coco Gauff
Tennis mogul Coco Gauff was just 15 when she stunned the tennis world by knocking Venus Williams out of Wimbledon in 2019. Six years later, she has two Grand Slam singles titles to her name, including the French Open, and ranks 11th on the WTA Tour’s career prize money list with nearly $30 million. According to Forbes, Gauff is also the world’s highest-paid female athlete, thanks to the estimated $25 million she earns off the court annually.
Super Bowl champions and entertainment stars
NFL Philadelphia Eagles players Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley led their team to the 2025 Super Bowl as underdogs, defeating the Kansas City Chiefs, denying them a three-peat and securing the Eagles’ second-ever Super Bowl win.
Singer-songwriter Alex Warren saw his breakout hit “Ordinary” become the Billboard Global Song of the Summer for 2025 and surpass 2 billion global streams, earning Warren an estimated $10 million in royalties and scoring him a 2026 Grammy nomination.
Actress Mikey Madison earned her first-ever Oscar award in 2025, winning the Best Actress Oscar for her role in the film Anora. Madison was also the first actor from Gen Z to win an acting Oscar.
Rapper and singer Doechii was awarded her first Grammy for Best Rap Album this year after the success of her mixtape Alligator Bites Never Heal. The historic win made Doechii the third woman ever to win the award since the category was introduced in 1989.
AI innovation reshaping industries
Jesse Zhang, cofounder of AI unicorn Decagon, is changing the customer service industry with AI agents that can manage common tasks like product returns, cancellations, and credit card replacements. The company currently boasts a $1.5 billion valuation and has raised $55 million from notable backers like Andreessen Horowitz, securing deals with Duolingo, Hertz, and ClassPass.
Distinguished panel of judges
To develop the list, Forbes convened an independent panel of expert judges including musician Olivia Rodrigo; actor and producer Yara Shahidi; Tower 28 founder Amy Liu; Writer founder May Habib; Tubi CEO Anjali Sud; Anduril Industries founder Palmer Luckey; Andreessen Horowitz partner Olivia Moore; Disney chief brand officer Asad Ayaz; content creators Drew Afualo and Monet McMichael; fashion designer Simone Rocha; Harper’s Bazaar executive digital director Lynette Nylander; Oak HC/FT partner Annie Lamont; and Danielle Guizio founder Danielle Guizio, among others.
Fifteen years of spotlighting young leaders
Over the past fifteen years, Forbes 30 Under 30’s iconic lists have spotlighted over 12,000 young leaders and entrepreneurs around the world. The Forbes 30 Under 30 list has paved a path for success for several recognized honorees who have gone on to secure significant funding for their companies, become C-suite level executives, record-breaking musical artists, and hundreds will become billionaires while dozens already are.
Forbes lists capture some of the most prominent people and companies that have profound impact at the time of publication, while also spotlighting up-and-coming visionaries who are set to become tomorrow’s leaders.
The Forbes 30 Under 30 list also has worldwide impact with more than 30 global licensees publishing their own local 30 Under 30 lists including Forbes Middle East, Forbes Central America, and Forbes Africa.
Generational shift accelerates
The dramatic increase in Gen Z representation from 50 percent last year to 70 percent this year signals a generational shift in leadership and innovation. These young leaders are leveraging technology, particularly artificial intelligence, in ways previous generations couldn’t imagine.
The $3.8 billion in funding raised by this cohort demonstrates that investors recognize the potential of Gen Z entrepreneurs and innovators. Their collective 200 million-plus social media following shows how modern influence extends beyond traditional business metrics.
AI integration defines the class
Artificial intelligence emerges as a dominant theme throughout the 2026 class. From Jesse Zhang’s customer service revolution to countless other honorees leveraging AI across industries, this technology is no longer optional but fundamental to modern innovation.
The integration of AI into healthcare, education, entertainment, and business operations reflects how this generation approaches problem-solving differently than predecessors. They view AI as a tool for amplification rather than replacement, creating hybrid solutions that combine human creativity with computational power.
Athletic and entertainment excellence
The inclusion of Super Bowl champions Jalen Hurts and Saquon Barkley highlights athletic excellence alongside business achievement. Their underdog victory over Kansas City represents the kind of determination that defines successful entrepreneurs as well as athletes.
Mikey Madison’s historic Oscar win as the first Gen Z acting winner demonstrates how young talent is breaking through traditional barriers in entertainment. Her achievement alongside Doechii’s Grammy win shows how Gen Z is claiming space in established institutions while maintaining authentic voices.
Music industry transformation
Alex Warren’s success exemplifies how the music industry has transformed. His breakout hit “Ordinary” generated $10 million in royalties from 2 billion streams, representing the new economics of music where streaming dominance creates substantial wealth without traditional album sales or radio play.
The Grammy nomination validates streaming success as legitimate artistic achievement, reflecting how institutions adapt to recognize new forms of musical impact and distribution.
Global influence expands
The Forbes 30 Under 30 list’s expansion to more than 30 global licensees demonstrates its worldwide influence. Regional lists in the Middle East, Central America, Africa, and other territories recognize that innovation and leadership emerge globally, not just from traditional power centers.
This geographic diversity enriches the overall ecosystem, creating networks of young leaders across continents who share perspectives, collaborate on projects, and drive change in their respective regions.
Celebration and recognition
Forbes will host its 30 Under 30 List Launch Celebration in New York City, sponsored by Meta Lab, in celebration of the honorees on the 2026 list. The event provides networking opportunities for this year’s class while connecting them with previous honorees who’ve built successful careers.
The 15th anniversary of the list represents a milestone for Forbes’ commitment to identifying and celebrating young leadership. The 12,000-plus honorees over fifteen years form a powerful network of innovators, entrepreneurs, and leaders reshaping industries worldwide.
Sports
Track & Field Opening Indoor Season with Split-Squad Weekend – Penn State
UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State track & field is set to begin its indoor slate with a three-meet split-squad weekend. The Nittany Lions will start their week in Philadelphia on Friday, Dec. 5 at the Penn Opener, also competing on Saturday, Dec. 6. On Saturday, there will also be Nittany Lions competing at the Bucknell Opener in Lewisburg, and the Sharon-Colyear Danville Season Opener in Boston on Saturday. Dec. 6.
Penn State is set to begin the 2025-26 indoor season while continuing to build off its success from a season ago. The men’s squad finished 12th in the Big Ten last indoor season while the women finished seventh. The squad returns six All-Americans from last year’s indoor team including 2024 First Team All-Americans Handal Roban and Hayley Kitching.
Head Coach John Gondak enters his 12th season leading the Nittany Lion track & field program. His coaching resume includes 62 First Team All-Americans and 11 Big Ten team titles.
PENN OPENER – Friday-Saturday, December 5-6
Live Results | Watch on Saturday (ESPN+)
Penn State will send seven athletes to compete at the Penn Opener. Maddie Pitts will be the lone competitor on Friday in the pentathlon.
BUCKNELL OPENER – Saturday, December 6
Live Results
The largest group of Nittany Lions will be headed to Lewisburg to compete in the Bucknell Opener. 36 athletes in field events and sprints will be the main competition group for PSU this weekend at Bucknell.
SHARON COLYEAR-DANVILLE SEASON OPENER – Saturday, December 6
Live Results | Watch (FloTrack)
Penn State will be sending 10 athletes to Boston for season opening action. The middle distance/distance group will make up the group competing against some of the top talent in the nation.
FULL 2025-26 INDOOR TRACK & FIELD SCHEDULE
Dec. 5-6 – Penn Opener | Philadelphia, Pa.
Dec. 6 – Bucknell Opener | Lewisburg, Pa.
Dec. 6 – Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener | Boston, Mass.
Jan. 17 – Nittany Lion Challenge | University Park, Pa.
Jan. 24 – Penn 10 Team Elite | Philadelphia, Pa.
Jan. 30-31 – Penn State National Open | University Park, Pa.
Feb. 7 – Sykes & Sabock Challenge | University Park, Pa.
Feb. 13-14 – Tyson Invitational | Fayetteville, Ark.
Feb. 13-14 – David Hemery Valentine Invitational | Boston, Mass.
Feb. 20 – Penn State Tune-Up | University Park, Pa.
Feb. 27-28 – Big Ten Indoor Championships | Indianapolis, Ind.
Mar. 13-14 – NCAA Indoor Championships | Fayetteville, Ark.
FOLLOW THE NITTANY LIONS
Follow along with the team on our social media pages on Facebook (PennStateTFXC) and X/Instagram (@pennstatetfxc). Live updates on race day regarding start times and other important notes will be posted on X.
Sports
Women’s Volleyball vs University of Alaska Anchorage on 12/4/2025 – Box Score
Sports
#11 Creighton Volleyball Outlasts Northern Colorado to Advance to Second Round of NCAA Tournament
Courtesy of Rob Anderson, Creighton Athletics
OMAHA, Neb. — No. 11 Creighton Volleyball was pushed to the brink but survived to win its 21st straight match on Thursday evening, opening up NCAA Tournament play with a 3-2 victory over Northern Colorado. Scores of the Bluejay triumph were 25-12, 23-25, 23-25, 25-17, 15-8.
Creighton earns itself a Second Round match-up against Northern Iowa (26-5) after the sixth-seeded Panthers finished off their first reverse sweep in the NCAA Tournament since 2022 with a 15-25, 21-25, 26-24, 25-20, 15-10 win over Utah. Creighton defeated the Panthers at D.J. Sokol Arena on Sept. 14 to close out play at the Bluejay Invitational.
Five women had multiple kills in the first set as Creighton powered past Northern Colorado, led by six kills from Ava Martin. Martin also had a pair of aces late in the set to solidify CU’s 25-12 victory. The Jays hit .438 and had 17 kills to UNC’s six kills on .000 hitting and never trailed in the frame.
UNC snapped Creighton’s 17-set win streak with a 25-23 victory in the second set, which featured nine ties and five lead changes. Isabel Bennett had go-ahead kills to make it 23-22 and 24-23 and Alayna Tessena put down the winner on set point. Northern Colorado had 15 kills and 18 digs in the second set and held the Bluejays to 11 kills and .200 hitting. Martin had seven kills for CU in the second set, while Sydney Breissinger added six digs.
The Bears won the first three points of the third set and moved in front 8-4 to force an early timeout from CU head coach Brian Rosen. The stoppage did little to improve the fortunes for the hosts, who called another timeout six points later after falling behind 12-6 to the Big Sky Tournament champions. The second timeout did the trick, as the Bluejays countered with an 8-2 burst to even the score at 14-all. Northern Colorado settled down, never surrendering the lead, and led 23-20 before one last push from the hosts. Martin pounded her 18th kill of the night, and Nora Wurtz followed with her 56th ace of the fall to cut CU’s deficit to 23-22 and lead UNC coach Lydnsey Oates to call timeout. Martin slammed a cross-court kill to tie the score at 23-all, but UNC answered with a Zoe Gibbs kill for a set point opportunity. The Bears won the set on a Bluejay attack error, 25-23.
The Bluejays got off to a 6-2 lead in the fourth set thanks in part to three early UNC hitting errors, then extended the advantage to 14-6. The Jays won the set 25-17, with freshman Abbey Hayes stepping up with a team-best four kills. CU had 4.5 blocks in the set, including one of set point from Reinhardt and Martin.
Creighton got off to a quick start in the fifth frame, scoring the first three points on two Martin kills and a UNC attack error. CU led 8-3 at the changeover
Martin was dominant with 30 kills on 65 swings, while Jaya Johnson finished with 12 kills. Reinhardt rounded out the Bluejays in double figure kills with 10. Annalea Maeder closed the match with a double-double, delivering 53 assists and 20 digs.
Tessena led Northern Colorado with 14 kills, while Brynn Reines finished with 11 kills
First serve of tomorrow’s Second Round match is at 6:30 p.m.
NOTES: Creighton improved to 18-14 all-time in 15 NCAA Tournament appearances, including a 12-3 mark in the First Round … Creighton has won 21 straight matches, its third-longest streak in program history … Creighton is now 8-4 in home matches in the NCAA Tournament, including five straight victories … Creighton has won its last 11 home matches this fall … Creighton is now 4-1 all-time against Northern Colorado … Creighton has won 68 straight matches over unranked foes and 56 non-televised matches in a row … Ava Martinmoved into third place in CU history in career service aces with 126 … Ava Martinhad her 25th straight match with 10 or more kills and 108th in a row with five or more kills … Ava Martin had her 13th career match with 20+ kills, and seventh this season.
Sports
Throwers Set Personal Bests At Liberty Kickoff
LYNCHBURG – Propelled by a pair of personal-best performances in the weight throw, the Elon University women’s track and field team opened its indoor season Thursday at the Liberty Kickoff inside the Liberty Indoor Complex.
In the women’s weight throw, the Phoenix placed two athletes inside the top four. Adriana Clarke claimed runner-up honors with a personal-best toss of 18.14m, moving into third on Elon’s all-time performance list. Isabella Johnson finished third overall at 17.33m, also marking a new PR for the sophomore.
Elon also featured three competitors in the pentathlon. Senior Lizzie Lopez was the top Phoenix finisher, placing seventh with 3,510 points. She highlighted the event by tying for first in the high jump with a clearance of 1.65m. Freshman Greta Urbonaviciute debuted with a tenth-place finish and 3,309 points, landing inside the program’s top-10 performance list. Classmate Carolina Frada scored 2,832 points to place 11th in her first collegiate pentathlon.
ON DECK
Elon continues action at the Liberty Kickoff on Friday, beginning with the women’s 5,000-meter run at 10 a.m.
— ELON —
Sports
Five Dons Earn WCC All-Academic Honors
SAN BRUNO, Calif. – The West Coast Conference officially announced its Volleyball All-Academic team for the 2025 season on Thursday afternoon.
For San Francisco, Crystal Galaviz, Jamie Low, Shannon Knight, Astrid Puig, and Abby Wadas earned WCC All-Academic Honorable Mention honors.
At the conclusion of each athletic season, the West Coast Conference selects an all-academic squad for each conference-sponsored sport. To be considered, a student-athlete must maintain at least a 3.20 cumulative grade point average, while also being a significant contributor to her team and in at least their second year at their school.
The full 2025 West Coast Conference Volleyball All-Academic Team can be viewed below:
2025 WEST COAST CONFERENCE VOLLEYBALL ALL-ACADEMIC TEAM
| Name | School | Class | GPA | Major |
| Genevieve Bane | Saint Mary’s | Gr. | 3.70 | Busiiness Administration |
| Olivia Bennett | San Diego | Sr. | 3.54 | Behavioral Neuroscience |
| Lucie Blazkova | Washington State | So. | 3.92 | Psychology |
| Maddie Boerstra | LMU | Gr. | 3.82 | Sociology |
| Nevaeh Bray | Portland | Gr. | 4.00 | Sports Business |
| Lucia Busso | Portland | Sr. | 4.00 | Marketing |
| Alyson Cox | Pacific | So. | 4.00 | Computer Science |
| Alyssa Eimer | Santa Clara | Sr. | 3.94 | Marketing |
| Grace Flanagan | Santa Clara | Jr. | 4.00 | Studio Art |
| Kate Herrick | Gonzaga | So. | 3.91 | Biology |
| Emma McMahon | Pepperdine | Sr. | 3.83 | Psychology |
| Chloe Pravednikov | Pepperdine | So. | 3.63 | Pre-Business Administration |
| Maui Robins | Portland | Sr. | 4.00 | Marketing |
| Lauren Rumel | Oregon State | Sr. | 3.91 | Speech Communication |
| Cate Shanahan | Santa Clara | Jr. | 3.83 | English |
| Lexi Trapani | Santa Clara | Jr. | 3.88 | Business |
For more information and updates on the University of San Francisco volleyball program, follow the Dons on Twitter @USFDonsVB, @USFDonsVB on Instagram, and @USFDonsVball on Facebook.
Sports
No. 3 Volleyball Opens NCAA Tournament Versus Campbell – Texas A&M Athletics
The Aggies ensured their third-straight tournament berth under the leadership of head coach Jamie Morrison, concluding the regular season and SEC Tournament with a 23-4 record. Their performance throughout the year earned them the highest AVCA ranking in program history of No. 6 and their first NCAA Tournament hosting opportunity since 2019.
Shining at home this season, the Maroon & White boast a 9-1 ledger at Reed Arena with its lone loss coming against then-No. 3 Kentucky (3-1). The 12th Man has been a force all year, as they helped break the program attendance record standing 9,801 strong versus Texas as well as accounting for another five top 10 attendances during the 2025 campaign.
Texas A&M’s depth of talent has been evident throughout the year and was rewarded during the SEC’s postseason honors, as a conference-high four Aggies were named to the All-SEC First Team including Logan Lednicky, Ifenna Cos-Okpalla, Maddie Waak and Kyndal Stowers. The honors didn’t stop there as Lednicky was named an AVCA Player of the Year Semifinalist, while the group accounted for 24 total accolades throughout the season.
The Matchups
Texas A&M enters its third NCAA Tournament with coach Morrison at the helm of the program, coming off a sweet 16 run during the 2024 season. The Maroon & White played the role of the hunter last season, downing No. 3 seed Arizona State in on their home court in the second round and came up just short in a five-set thriller against No. 2 seed Wisconsin.
The Aggies earned their highest seed since 2015 at No. 3 and welcome Campbell, TCU and SFA to Aggieland. They open their campaign versus the Camels who hold a 23-6 ledger and earned their second ever NCAA Tournament bid after winning the CAA Championship title in a five-set battle with Hofstra.
Friday’s meeting will be the first all-time between Texas A&M and Campbell. The Camels hold a strong 8-3 record when playing on the road but will come against the 12th Man and the Maroon & White’s 9-1 ledger in Reed Arena. On the stat sheet the Aggies hold the advantage in five of the seven team statical categories leading Campbell in kills per set, assists per set, hitting percentage, opponent hitting percentage and blocks per set, while the Camels have the upper hand in aces per set and digs per set.
Tracks and Trends
Logan Lednicky sits nine kills away from climbing to fourth in career kills at Texas A&M, she would pass three-time Olympian Stacy Sykora who has 1,586 kills.
Ifenna Cos-Okpalla has 159 blocks on the year and is three away from breaking her single season best of 161 and six from recording the most in a season since 1999 (165).
Streaming & Stats
Fans can watch the match on the ESPN+ and follow stats on 12thman.com.
Tickets
Fans can purchase their tickets to the opening round matches through 12thman.com/ncaatickets.
Students will be granted free admission to tomorrow’s game if they show their student ID’s at the north entry of Reed Arena.
Parking
Make plans to arrive early and exhibit patience for the expected traffic and parking congestion around Reed Arena. Multiple parking options are available for fans:
- General parking is available around the arena on gameday for $5 – cash AND card payments accepted.
- Fans with a valid TAMU parking pass can park for FREE in lots surrounding the arena. Make sure to have your pass barcode ready to show the lot attendant.
Follow the Aggies
Visit 12thMan.com for more information on Texas A&M volleyball. Fans can keep up to date with the A&M volleyball team on Facebook, Instagram and on Twitter by following @AggieVolleyball.
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