The Association for Healthcare Philanthropy (AHP) announced the inaugural class of its Forty Under 40, a program designed to recognize future leaders within health care philanthropy.

“Telling member stories and sharing best practices are at the core of what AHP is all about,” said Alice Ayres, AHP president and CEO. “I’m so thrilled that through the Forty Under 40 program, members have shared the stories of our up-and-coming leaders – those making significant impact on the industry so early in their careers,” said Ayres, who took over as president/CEO in April, succeeding Steven Churchill, who stepped down last fall to become senior advisor and chief of staff to the U.S. ambassador to China.

The 40 winners will be recognized at the 2018 Annual International Conference on Oct. 17-20 in San Diego, Calif., including an invitation-only breakfast and Forty Under 40 reception on Oct. 18.

This year’s class includes 33 women and seven men, representing healthcare organizations from 19 different states as well as 12 honorees from Canada. Colorado was home to four honorees, the most among U.S. states, and Ontario had eight honorees, the most of any state or province.

The debut year aimed the honor the industry’s brightest leaders who have demonstrated success in their careers in health care philanthropy and who are making a significant difference in health care development. Eligible nominees had to be younger than age 40 as of Oct. 20, 2018 and be employed in the health care development industry.

Nominations were due in June and were to be judged on professional accomplishments, awards and milestones. Nominees “should be established professional leaders with a strong record of innovation and outstanding performance.”

Founded in 1967, the Arlington, Va.-based international professional organization has some 4,500 members representing more than 2,200 health care facilities around the world that collectively raise more than $11 billion annually. AHP reported total revenue of $3.7 million for the fiscal year June 2017, the most recent year available, including member dues of $1.78 million and conference revenue of $1.5 million.

To learn more about AHP’s Forty Under 40 program and each of this year’s recipients, visit www.ahp.org/40under40