Roanoke College alumni and campus leaders were among the changemakers and innovators recognized in The Roanoker magazine’s 40 Under 40 list for 2025. The honor spotlights young professionals who are shaping the future of the region through their passion and determination to make a meaningful impact.
Maroons on the list were picked from an incredible field of more than 120 nominations. More about the 40 Under 40 recognition can be found here.
Name: Jamie Brackenrich ’09
Age: 39
Profession: Nurse practitioner, Align Neurology
Professional highlights: Founder and medical director of Align Neurology, the Roanoke Valley’s first and only headache clinic. Brackenrich specializes in neurology with a focus on headache medicine.
Other involvements/accomplishments: Brackenrich is a board-certified nurse practitioner and was the New APP of the Year recipient from LewisGale Medical Center in 2021.
Education: Bachelor's degree in health and human performance from Roanoke College. Bachelor's degree in nursing from Radford University. Master's degree in nursing from Radford University.
What nominators said: “[Brackenrich’s] success demonstrates a unique commitment to improving healthcare access and quality, illustrating her exceptional drive and ability to make a meaningful impact on her community. Jamie’s accomplishments underscore her as a trailblazer in her field, highlighting both her professional skill and her entrepreneurial courage.”
What Brackenrich said: “By helping others find relief, I am improving quality of life and mental health for countless individuals who may have previously felt isolated in their pain. At Align Neurology, my dream is to make it an all-inclusive headache clinic, offering treatment for headaches, prevention for headaches, education, community and compassion.”
Name: Michael Davis
Age: 27
Profession: Nursing home administrator, Our Lady of the Valley. Adjunct professor, Roanoke College, South College and Los Angeles Pacific University.
Professional highlights: Davis is a nursing home administrator, as well as an adjunct professor with expertise in healthcare administration and education, specifically emphasizing wellness, fitness management and leadership. He conducts research on music therapy in long-term care settings and its impact on depression, cognitive decline and other critical issues.
Other involvements/accomplishments: Davis mentors students at Roanoke College, encouraging academic excellence and healthy lifestyles; plays an active role in church leadership; and volunteers as a youth football league representative.
Education: Bachelor's degree in health professions and related clinical sciences from West Virginia State University. Master's degree in health/health care administration/management from Marshall University. Doctorate degree in health Science from Liberty University (Expected May 2025).
What nominators said: “Davis’s career reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, as seen in his ongoing doctoral studies and dedication to professional development. With a solid foundation in academia and practical experience in healthcare administration, he brings a unique perspective to both fields, striving to make lasting contributions in leadership, patient care and education. He has worked to create an environment where children can thrive, not only in sports but also in life, teaching them values of teamwork, discipline and fitness.”
What Davis said: “Through both roles I aim to spark passion and encourage growth in others, making a meaningful impact on everyone I work with. By caring for the elderly and supporting young students, I help build a kinder and more knowledgeable community. My commitment to these roles not only improves individual lives but also strengthens our community as a whole.”
Name: Halee Simmons Evans ’14
Age: 32
Profession: Nursing home administrator, Rocky Mount Health and Rehab
Professional highlights: Oversees the daily operations, regulatory compliance, and financial performance involved with Rocky Mount Health and Rehab. Additionally, Evans mentors future leaders through various training programs.
Other involvements/accomplishments: During COVID-19, Evans implemented infection control protocols and vaccination policies across multiple facilities in Virginia. As a community member, she volunteers with the Local Office on Aging, local animal shelters and retirement communities in Roanoke.
Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration with a concentration in healthcare administration from Roanoke College. Licensed as a nursing home administrator and nursing home administrator preceptor.
What nominators said: “Halee’s ability to balance her demanding role as a healthcare administrator with volunteer efforts showcases her commitment to improving the lives of both people and animals. She regularly prioritizes community involvement, demonstrating her belief in the importance of service, whether in healthcare settings or beyond.”
What Evans said: “The passion that I have for geriatric care and lifestyle management derived from the local community. Roanoke is filled with vibrant, intelligent, kind older adults who have supported and cultivated Roanoke and surrounding areas with their life's work. I feel blessed to have the calling and opportunity to assist those individuals in aging with dignity and within their desires and wishes.”
Name: Greg Hanlon ’11
Age: 35
Profession: Assistant vice president for advancement, Roanoke College
Professional highlights: Organizes major events and initiatives that engage alumni while strengthening relationships with the community. Additionally, Hanlon was involved in the relaunch of Roanoke College’s football team, as well as the development of its new science center.
Other involvements/accomplishments: Hanlon is a Roanoke Regional Chamber of Commerce Leadership Roanoke Valley advisor and a mentor for first-year students at Roanoke College as an ROA101 instructor. He's also a foster family for student-athletes who are acclimating to college, an active participation in events like Virginia’s Blue Ridge Ironman, and a volunteer for the Maroon track team and Central Intercollegiate Athletic Association cross-country meet.
Education: Bachelor's degree in health and human performance from Roanoke College. Master's degree in educational leadership from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.
What nominators said: “Driven by his profound passion for fostering community and connection among students, alumni and the community, Gregory Hanlon has been an instrumental player in Roanoke College’s growth. Through his unwavering commitment to student success and community engagement, Gregory Hanlon exemplifies the values of leadership and service in higher education. His ability to connect individuals from diverse backgrounds fosters a sense of belonging that resonates throughout the college community.”
What Hanlon said: “In Roanoke’s welcoming community, I have the privilege each year to forge new connections that go beyond introductions, fostering a network of support and encouragement. I find incredible inspiration in learning from others, hearing their stories and understanding their dreams, which allows me to offer meaningful support as they pursue their paths. Through these relationships, I aim to create a community where individuals feel valued, empowered and connected—strengthening Roanoke as a place where everyone can thrive and contribute.”
Name: Lacey Leonard
Age: 30
Profession: Assistant gallery director, Roanoke College
Professional highlights: Curates various exhibitions, while mentoring students in community-focused art programs. Additionally, Leonard co-founded VALLT Gallery to support underrepresented artists.
Other involvements/accomplishments: Leonard was awarded the 2021 Kegley Preservation Award for the Histories of Enslavement Walking Tour, 2021 Kendig Award for Olin Hall Galleries, National Gold and Silver Key Awards for Scholastic Art and Writing Awards, and Faculty Distinguished Student Award from the Virginia Commonwealth University. She's also a certified yoga and meditation instructor, has completed the Appalachian Trail thru-hike, and serves as a mentor to fellow artists and students in the community.
Education: Bachelor's degree in sculpture & extended media from Virginia Commonwealth University.
What nominators said: “There's a through-line of community and diversity to all [Leonard’s] endeavors that seeks to shine a light on people who have traditionally been overlooked by or excluded from the fine art world. Couple that with her appreciation for the environment and her professionalism and you have a dedicated, capable arts professional with a heart to match. Her curatorial abilities continually allow residents of the Roanoke Valley the opportunity to interact with world-class art that might otherwise never be seen here. In an age where most people only want to interact with ideas and people who make them comfortable, Lacey finds ways to engage with folks on the margins, educate would-be seekers and expand the imaginations of our community.”
What Leonard said: “When I’m creating work that I’m truly passionate about, I believe it can inspire others to pursue their dreams and create their best work too. For me, passion is about capturing an idea and bringing it to life and I hope that energy is contagious, encouraging others to follow their hearts.”
Name: Lottie Schottmiller ’08
Age: 38
Profession: Director of human resources and facilities, Delta Dental of Virginia
Professional highlights: Schottmiller brings 16 years of HR experience in healthcare, insurance and tech sectors. She has developed guiding principles for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) and has led Delta Dental's DEI council.
Other involvements/accomplishments: Schottmiller and Delta Dental received the Certificate in Diversity and Inclusion through HRCI in 2022. Additionally, Schottmiller volunteers with Wild Way providing outdoor experiences for girls, is a yoga instructor at Bethany Hall, an executive board member for the West Salem Elementary PTA, a former board member of ARCH Roanoke, and has participated in two playground builds for the Roc Solid Foundation. In 2023, she was a speaker on mindfulness at The Roanoker magazine’s women’s conference and Virginia SHRM Conference.
Education: Bachelor's degree in business administration from Roanoke College. Master's degree in human resource development from Villanova University.
What nominators said: “[Schottmiller] is a passionate leader with 16 years of HR experience in various industries, including healthcare, insurance and tech. She cares deeply and takes all her roles to heart. In my opinion, what sets Lottie apart is her ability to 'do it all' with a calm demeanor and grace. No matter how much she has going on, she shows up in powerful ways for her family, her friends, her organization and the Roanoke community.”
What Schottmiller said: “My hope is that my passion for living a full life, giving back and staying engaged will positively influence our community, one person at a time. I envision workplaces where empathy, mindfulness and compassion thrive and that begins one person, one decision at a time.”
Name: Cedric Wilson ’09
Age: 37
Profession: Licensed professional counselor, Seeking Wellness
Professional highlights: Founder of Seeking Wellness, a counseling practice dedicated to providing culturally aware therapy for marginalized groups.
Other involvements/accomplishments: In 2024, Wilson was awarded the Suzee Leone Grant for therapeutic gaming groups, the BIPOC Sponsorship Award from the Virginia Counselors Association Leadership Academy and a Health Hero recognitoin from The Roanoker magazine. Additionally, Wilson is an active member of the Virginia Counselors Association and NAACP as well as a member of Roanoke City's Health and Human Services Advisory Board.
Education: Bachelor's degree in sociology from Roanoke College. Master's degree in professional counseling from Liberty University.
What nominators said: “Cedric is a tireless advocate for mental health well-being. As someone who is deeply confident in his own skin, Cedric seeks to compassionately challenge those around him to live full and authentic lives. The world has seen trauma since 2020. And, thankfully, Cedric began his entrepreneurial and counseling journey at just the right time. Roanoke is a place of much generational and racial pain. Cedric felt that pain and saw a way to fill that need in the community.”
What Wilson said: “I believe the work that my team and I do has a far-reaching impact on our community, helping individuals heal from both personal and systemic wounds, take control of their narratives and allow them to choose how they make a positive and intentional mark on our world.”