DOWAGIAC — The city of Dowagiac was represented by six individuals with ties to the city featured on The Moody on the Market 40 Under 40 list for 2019. Of the six individuals, three honorees are Dowagiac residents.

The 40 Under 40 is a prestigious recognition program reserved for young professionals living and working in southwest Michigan under the age of 40, according to the Moody on the Market website. All of the 40 Under 40 honorees will be invited to a reception where they will be recognized and receive a keepsake of their award.

Stefany Holland, 31, of Dowagiac, made her debut on the list and was both honored and surprised, she said.

“It was a huge honor. Sometimes, you just don’t feel like you are that worthy to be a part of groups like that,” Holland said. “I know I had some colleagues on the list last year, and it made sense because those people are so above and beyond the norm. I was really honored to be nominated, and then even more so to be selected.”

Holland works at Wightman, a full-service consulting firm existing to service people and the communities, such as Dowagiac, according to Wightman. Holland, who has received a Wightman Superstar award, said the company has a passion for understanding client’s needs and creating platforms for success.

“[At work] last week, they expressed to me that I obviously share the core values of the firm and I show exceptional leadership pushing forward beyond my own job description to better myself, the community and others around me,” Holland said of her feedback from colleagues regarding her recognition. “Being recognized for that, and hearing those words from my employer kind of melts your heart a little bit. Everyone loves a pat on the back, but this is like 100 pats on the back.”

Holland was one of three individuals selected for the list who are members of the Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac. Last year, Pat Bakeman was the only YPGD member to be selected. YPGD is an organization trying to increase opportunities that involve and empower young professionals to progress in the region and enhance the quality of life for residents in Dowagiac, Holland said.

“Everybody who is a part of this group, we do it because we want to,” Holland said. “This isn’t a job you get paid to do because you want to make money. This is something all of us truly enjoy, investing back into our community. For us, the feel-good part of it is putting on the events, seeing the smiles, people talking about us and asking to be involved in our group and what we do.”

Several members of YPGD being on the list is another feather in the cap showing the positive things the group does for the community, while also getting the area of Dowagiac publicized, Holland said.

Holland’s goals moving forward are to maintain what she is doing, she said. She wants to stay involved in YPGD and keep moving forward in her career, while also getting out more in the Dowagiac community and staying active in nonprofits and continuing coaching soccer.

“There is so much need for good deeds, good gestures or just goodness that cup is never full,” Holland said. “I want to maintain what I’m already doing, just keep adding to it and keep pushing forward.”

Those representing Dowagiac on the list included:

• Becky Grabemeyer, city of Dowagiac

• Stefany Holland, Wightman

• Heidi Duncan, Duncan & Associates PLLC

• Jeremy Truitt, Fifth Third Bank/Young Professionals of Greater Dowagiac

• Rose Wilson, Cassopolis Family Clinic Network/Greater Dowagiac Chamber of Commerce

• Sarah Spoonholtz, Southwest Michigan Regional Chamber.