The International Cemetery, Cremation, and Funeral Association is proud to announce the winners of its inaugural 40 Under 40 Award, recognizing young, outstanding professionals in the death-care profession. This prestigious award celebrates individuals with exceptional talent, leadership, and a deep commitment to the profession’s future.

Nominated by their peers, supervisors, and colleagues, these 40 trailblazers have all made remarkable contributions to death care, excelling in their professional roles, community engagement, and forward-thinking innovation. They are the ones helping to shape the profession’s future and inspiring others to strive for excellence in service and care.

“The 40 individuals we honor today represent the future,” said Lee Longino, president of ICCFA. “Their leadership, dedication, and passion for innovation set a powerful example for all of us. We are thrilled to celebrate their achievements and lasting impact on the death-care profession.”

Winners of the 2024 ICCFA 40 Under 40 Award:

  1. Jennifer Yessenia Aguilar Franco de Lopez – Señoriales Corporación de Servicio
  2. Nicolas Andrade – Parque de las Memorias
  3. Candace Aramburu – Fairmount Memorial Association, Heritage Funeral Home
  4. Liz Bagley – Gorsline Runciman Funeral Home
  5. Molly Barwick – Forest Home Cemetery & Arboretum
  6. Steven Berkoff – Memorial Reefs International
  7. John Blevins – Park Lawn Corp, Williams Funeral Home
  8. Grace Birdwell – Greenlawn Funeral Home Inc
  9. Lauren Buzzard – Schoedinger Funeral and Cremation Service
  10. Ka Lok Chung – Peace Of Mind Funeral Services
  11. Christina Chao – SCI
  12. Carlos Davenport – Mack’s Funeral Home & Cremation Service
  13. Kacie Derby – Park Lawn Corp, Baue Funeral Homes
  14. Pierce Dempsey – Leaf Cremation
  15. Luke Densow – Park Lawn
  16. Billy Eaton – Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions
  17. James Fletcher – Matthews Aurora Funeral Solutions
  18. Evan Frew – BIONDAN USA
  19. Ashlinn Goodman – Envision Strategic Partners
  20. Lauren Hogan – Park Lawn
  21. Katey Houston – Return Home
  22. Emily Howell – Newcomer Funeral Service Group / Dove Southeast Chapel
  23. Yuri Marleni Juarez Gomez – Señoriales Corporación de Servicio
  24. Andrew Kennedy – Live Oak Bank
  25. Joelle Kerfoot – SCI, Dignity Memorial
  26. Katie LaBella – St. Michael’s Cemetery
  27. Manlio Alexis Emmanuel Morales – Señoriales Corporación de Servicio
  28. Ryan Milley – Forest Hills Cemetery
  29. Nikole Mitchell – SCI, Evergreen Washelli
  30. Dagny Neel-Fitzpatrick – Jefferson Memorial Cemetery, Funeral Home, Crematory & Arboretum
  31. Ana Palencia – Señoriales Corporación de Servicio
  32. Ashlynn Rickord-Werner – Plotbox Ltd
  33. Sandra Robledo – Mont Meta Funeral Home
  34. Brie Smith – Return Home
  35. Shane Pudenz – Carriage Services
  36. Nick Timpe – webCemeteries
  37. Tiffany Ung – Cypress Lawn Cemetery Association
  38. Mark Vandermeersch – Park Lawn
  39. Sammy Villanueva – Archdiocese of Los Angeles, CCM
  40. Deauna Wright – Ridout’s Southern Heritage SCI

Please join us in congratulating these exceptional individuals on their well-deserved recognition.

ICCFA will feature the honorees in its flagship magazine, Memento Mori, highlight them across social media platforms, and formally recognize them at the 2025 ICCFA Experience in Las Vegas. Each winner will also receive a $500 educational scholarship from the ICCFA Educational Foundation, which they can apply toward registration for the 2025 Fall Leadership Summit.

For more information about the ICCFA 40 Under 40 Award program, including nomination guidelines and eligibility criteria, please visit iccfa.com/awards.

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