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CSG Names 2024 20 Under 40 Leadership Award Recipients

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2024) — Twenty up-and-coming elected and appointed state officials have been selected by The Council of State Governments as recipients of the 2024 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award. This year’s class, representing 16 U.S. states and territories across all four CSG regions, is composed of esteemed and accomplished public servants whose hard work and dedication to public service is exhibited through service to their communities.

CSG annually welcomes outstanding leaders to join the 20 Under 40 community who exemplify a commitment to bipartisan and innovative solutions. While politically and personally diverse, the 2024 class is united in their pursuit of advancing the common good.

“As these exceptional leaders step forward to shape the future of their states, they embody the values that drive our work at The Council of State Governments — civility, collaboration and innovation. The 2024 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipients represent the best of public service, demonstrating that leadership knows no age. Their achievements inspire confidence in the promise of state government to meet the challenges of tomorrow.”

– CSG Executive Director/CEO David Adkins

Congratulations to the 2024 CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipients:

  • Senate President Pro Tempore Ken Bogner, Montana
  • Delegate Adam Burkhammer, West Virginia
  • Sen. Mary Cavanagh, Assistant Majority Whip, Michigan
  • Rep. Megan Cotter, Rhode Island
  • Sen. Sydney Davis, South Dakota
  • Sen. Forrest Dunbar, Alaska
  • Rep. Diamond Garcia, Minority Floor Leader, Hawaii
  • Sen. Troy Hashimoto, Hawaii
  • Rep. Nick Hoheisel, Kansas
  • Sen. Andrew Jones, Alabama
  • Michon Lindstrom, Director of Communications, Office of the Secretary of State, Kentucky
  • Rep. Javier Mabrey, Colorado
  • Rep. Donavan McKinney, Michigan
  • Rep. Cyndi Munson, Minority Leader, Oklahoma
  • Rep. Stetson Painter, Majority Whip, Arkansas
  • Rep. Monique Priestley, Vermont
  • Rep. Neil Rafferty, Alabama
  • Sen. Mark Spreitzer, Minority Caucus Vice Chair, Wisconsin
  • Assemblyman Howard Watts III, Majority Whip, Nevada
  • Rep. Maurice West II, Illinois

“Recipients of the CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award showcase the incredible influence young leaders are having across the country to make meaningful impact in their states. We look forward to having the opportunity to feature their achievements and celebrate their success during our annual national conference in December.”

– CSG Director of Leadership Development Lorna Patches

The CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award was launched in 2020, inspired by the vision of New Hampshire Sen. Lou D’Allesandro, a devoted public servant of more than 50 years. As the 2019 CSG National Chair, D’Allesandro recognized a need for CSG to foster engagement with younger state leaders. Thanks to his efforts, the talents of 100 emerging elected and appointed state officials have since been recognized.

“The young leaders recognized with the award are a diverse group of change makers whose passion for public service matches the enthusiasm Sen. D’Allesandro has brought to his many public service roles,” Adkins said. “Coach Lou’s legacy looms large in the New Hampshire Capitol and his dedication to serve others is embodied in the recipients of the award he inspired.”

CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award recipients are selected from a competitive pool of applicants based on their bipartisan work, leadership and work within a specific policy area. Award nominees have demonstrated excellence in one or more of the following areas:

  • Ability to engage officials across party, departments, branch and/or state lines in meaningful ways to advance the common good for their state/territory.
  • Provide exceptional leadership to a state project, committee, chamber, commission or special group.
  • Serve as a champion of change and seek to enhance the lives of all constituents within a specific policy area.

In addition to being an elected or appointed state official from a U.S. state or territory, nominees must be age 40 or younger on Dec. 31 of the year in which they are selected.

Recipients of the 2024 CSG Under 40 Leadership Award will be recognized at the CSG National Conference, Dec. 4-7, in New Orleans.

To learn more about the CSG 20 Under 40 Leadership Award, visit web.csg.org/20-40. Applications will reopen in spring 2025 for next year’s class of award recipients.

About The Council of State Governments

The Council of State Governments is our nation’s only organization serving all three branches of state government. CSG is a region-based forum that fosters the exchange of insights and ideas to help state officials shape public policy. This offers unparalleled regional, national and international opportunities to network, develop leaders, collaborate and create problem-solving partnerships.

For more information about The Council of State Governments, visit csg.org.