2025’s Future 10

Meet the young leaders of Brunswick County. The 2025 Future 10 Under 40 honorees exemplify excellence, integrity and community commitment, embodying the promise of Brunswick County’s next generation of leadership.

The future of any community depends on the strength and vision of its people, those willing to step forward, lead by example and invest their time and talents in building something better. Brunswick County continues to benefit from a deep well of dedicated young professionals who are helping shape a thriving, resilient and forward-looking place to live, work and grow.

Thirteen years ago, Brunswick County Chamber of Commerce and South Brunswick Magazine launched the Future 10 Under 40 program, celebrating community-minded young leaders who embody the chamber’s mission of “Building Community and Supporting Business.”

For 2025 we once again invited employers, colleagues, clients, business owners, friends and family to nominate standout individuals under the age of 40 who demonstrate excellence, integrity and a commitment to both personal and professional growth.

Who are these emerging leaders? They are educators, health and wellness specialists, coaches and mentors, public servants, advocates and professionals who are channeling their passions into meaningful contributions across the county and beyond.

This year’s honorees are helping to define what Brunswick County can be. Through their work, volunteerism, community involvement and leadership, each one has made a measurable impact in their field and in the lives of those around them. While their experiences differ, they share a common thread: a deep belief in this community and a drive to make Brunswick County stronger for the next generation.

In the pages ahead, you’ll meet this year’s Future 10, whose stories reflect not just their achievements, but their potential to continue shaping the future of Brunswick County.

Katy Bannerman, Age 33
School Administrator Intern, Brunswick County Schools

When Katy Bannerman decided to step out of the classroom and into school leadership, she took a leap of faith. Midway through earning her master’s in school administration, she left her teaching position for a full-time internship with no guaranteed pay due to state budget delays.

“Two days before I started, the State told us we might not get paid past October,” she recalls. “But I felt called to do it. I knew God would see me through.”

That risk paid off. Today, Bannerman is completing her administrative internship while serving on the Tiger Nation leadership team at Leland Middle School, where she’s known for her energy, compassion and belief in growth, both for students and staff.

“I get to come to work every day and make a difference,” she says. “I could never see myself doing anything else.”

For Bannerman, being named one of Brunswick County’s Future 10 honorees feels like a full-circle moment, given Brunswick County Schools’ focus on #BrunswickBuilt. The opportunity to invest her leadership into the county that supported her work in the classroom is an honor.

“It means everything to me,” she says. “I started teaching in Brunswick County in 2015 with the goal of making a difference in one child’s life. To now have the opportunity to impact an entire school community, it’s such a blessing.”

A third-generation educator, Bannerman was inspired by the many educators in her family. Her mother taught for 40 years, and her grandmother, Martha Ann Seymour Marlowe, was one of the first women to graduate from The Citadel’s master’s in secondary education program in 1970.

“Education is in my DNA,” she says proudly. “I grew up in the back of the classroom. It’s all I’ve ever known or wanted.”

Her days start at 3:30 am. A gym session is on the books before she dives into meetings, student check-ins and classroom walkthroughs. This, along with conducting research as part of her graduate studies, keeps her busy.

“There aren’t enough hours in the day,” she admits. “But the growth we see makes it all worth it.”

Bannerman’s leadership philosophy centers on empowerment by giving teachers and students the tools to lead.

“I don’t want my impact to be about me,” she says. “I want it to be about strategies and systems that make positive changes.”

Deeply rooted in the Brunswick County community since moving here in 2009, Bannerman lives with her husband, who manages homebuilding operations for D.R. Horton, and their two young sons, Silas and Avery, both proud Brunswick County Schools students and Belville Elementary Sharks. Outside of work, she leads the 11th-grade girls’ small group at Crosswinds Church and serves as a “dugout mom” for her sons’ Leland Youth Baseball team. Camping trips, church outings and time at the beach round out family life.

“I love this community,” Bannerman says. “We’re growing fast, but we’re growing together.

Don Bryant, Age 38
Volunteer Leader, Trail Life USA

For Don Bryant, being recognized as one of Brunswick County’s Future 10 honorees is an honor he shares with others.

“It’s humbling. It’s flattering,” he says. “I’m not one for awards, because honestly, we have a lot of fantastic men in our troop who help pull things together. They just do awesome stuff.”

Bryant serves as a volunteer leader for Trail Life USA, a Christian-based youth organization dedicated to helping boys grow in character, purpose and leadership skills through mentorship, service and outdoor adventure. Chartered by First Baptist Church in Shallotte, the troop is part of a national network with more than 65,000 members across the country.

“It’s very mission organized and intentional about raising boys to be godly men,” Bryant says. “We share creation with them, we share God’s word with them, and we teach them what it means to serve.”

Happily married and the father of four boys ages 10 to 16, Bryant first got involved as a way to provide his sons with a strong, faith-based community. What he discovered was something even more powerful. It was a place where boys and fathers grow together.

“For our society here in America, dads have been disengaged for a long time,” he explains. “Trail Life really starts to become more about the dads. I’ve built great relationships with other men who are trying to raise their kids the right way.”

Bryant says the most rewarding moments come from seeing boys gain confidence and maturity through hands-on learning.

“Watching them tie their first knot or start their first fire is all about self-esteem, it’s growth, it’s accomplishment,” he says.

The troop’s activities range from service projects and community events to “night ops” campouts where boys compete in challenges against other troops until the early hours of the morning.

“We have a motto: Let boys be boys,” Bryant says.

They develop skills in riflery, archery and canoeing and learn character, leadership and service.

Behind the fun lies a demanding level of organization.

“The hardest part is all the background work,” Bryant admits. “Making sure volunteers are trained, backgrounds checked and that everything runs safely and smoothly. It’s a lot, but it’s worth it.”

Originally from Indiana, Bryant moved to Brunswick County after falling in love with the area while visiting from Jacksonville. Today, he and his family call it home. And while he doesn’t seek recognition, he takes pride in what the program means for the county’s future.

“If these boys grow up to be godly men who lead our community,” he says, “that’s the impact that matters most.”

Dr. Kaylan Edwards, Age 37
Physician and Owner, Edwards Health

A board-certified physician in both pediatric and adult medicine, Dr. Kaylan Edwards grew up in Wake Forest, North Carolina, but spent her childhood weekends on her grandparents’ farm in Whiteville. After completing her residency, she deliberately chose Brunswick County, a community with only a handful of pediatricians at the time, over the crowded healthcare market near Raleigh.

“There were over 400 pediatricians in Wake County,” she recalls. “Here, there were two or three. I wanted to be where I was needed most.”

Today, she owns and operates Edwards Health in Shallotte, a membership-based practice built on the principles of access and connection.

“It’s about bringing back the relationship between doctor and patient,” she says. “I love being able to care for a whole family, from a newborn all the way to their grandparents. When people say, ‘Our whole family sees Dr. Edwards,’ that means everything to me.”

The practice’s model allows for longer appointment times and direct communication through texts and calls, a contrast to traditional systems that often leave patients feeling unseen.

“Navigating healthcare today, from insurance to specialists, can be overwhelming,” Edwards explains.

“When patients have a stronger connection with their healthcare team, they’re healthier. It really is that simple.”

Her approach also addresses a nationwide issue affecting doctors, which is burnout.

“At the end of the day, physician burnout happens because we stopped feeling like we were making a difference,” she says. “This model restores that. My patients are my family. They invite me to birthday parties, and I love that. It reminds me why I became a doctor in the first place.”

Outside of work, Edwards stays involved in the community through the Junior Women’s Club and volunteer programs with local schools. But her favorite time is spent with her husband, James, and their two young sons, often on her grandparents’ farm in Columbus County.

“That’s our happy place,” she says. “Just being outside, playing in the dirt. It’s the simple things.”

For Edwards, the Future 10 recognition is more than an award.

“It’s a reminder that what we do matters,” she says. “And I’m grateful to be doing it here, in the community that feels like family.”

Lakeisha Gause, Age 37
Medicaid Caseworker, Brunswick County Department of Social Services

For Brunswick County native Lakeshia Gause, being selected as one of this year’s Future 10 Under 40 honorees feels like a moment of validation for years of quiet service, community work and a deep belief that kindness still matters.

“I do a lot of work in the community, and sometimes it feels like it goes unnoticed,” she admits. “So, this means the world to me. It’s something my nieces can see, something that might inspire them to get involved one day too.”

By day, Gause works as a Medicaid caseworker with the Brunswick County Department of Social Services (DSS), where she determines eligibility for healthcare assistance.

“Now more than ever, healthcare is such a big deal,” she says. “It’s rewarding to help people. Sometimes all it takes is a little guidance, a missing document or a simple explanation. You can see the relief on their faces when they realize they’re not going to lose their benefits, or they may qualify for benefits.”

The job is not without its challenges. Constant changes in federal and state policy make it difficult to give clients clear answers.

“We get updates at the same time the public does,” Gause says. “It’s hard to tell someone what’s coming when we’re waiting to find out too.”

Still, she views the uncertainty as part of the mission, to help people navigate systems that are not built to be easy.

Before joining DSS, Gause’s career path looked entirely different.

“I’m a chef at heart,” she says with a laugh. “One day, I just woke up and could cook. It’s like something clicked.”

She taught culinary foundations at Brunswick Community College and spent several years catering and working as a personal chef before seeking more stability through public service. Her passion for food, however, remains central to her community work.

Every Thanksgiving for the past five years, Gause has organized a free meal drive for the homeless, sick and shut-in populations in her community. Last year alone, she fed more than 120 people by partnering with Reflections of Hope Recovery Center in Wilmington.

“It started in my kitchen, cooking everything at home and delivering meals across two counties,” she says. “Now it’s grown into something much bigger than me.”

Her latest project, a Christian social club called Pearls with Purpose, brings women together to serve others and strengthen community bonds. Through it all, she holds onto a simple philosophy.

“Regardless of how crazy the world is, love can cure it,” she says. “We just have to truly love our neighbors and remember that we’re all connected in this small county we call home.”

Alex Gonzalez, Age 21
Co-Owner and Head Coach, Oak Island Fitness

For Alex Gonzalez, fitness isn’t just a profession, it is a calling. As co-owner and head coach at Oak Island Fitness, he believes his work is about more than helping people lose weight or gain muscle.

“I firmly believe that health is the foundation for your quality of life,” he says. “What I do isn’t a job but a service to help people unlock their potential and live better.”

Just three years ago, Gonzalez had no clear career path. At 18, freshly out of high school, he was simply a young man who loved to work out. Then one day, while training at a local gym, a client suggested he become a personal trainer.

“That comment changed everything,” he says. “Within months, Gonzalez earned his certification, started training clients and quickly joined forces with Oak Island Fitness founder David Brazon. By 21, he was not only the gym’s head coach, but also its co-owner.

Today, Gonzalez trains between 14 and 17 clients a day, beginning each morning at 4 am and finishing around 7 pm. He works with people of all ages, from middle schoolers to retirees. He tailors his approach to help each one achieve meaningful, lasting progress.

“The hardest part early on was helping people believe in themselves before they could see results,” he says. “But once they start to feel stronger and more capable, everything changes.”

Originally from Monroe, North Carolina, Gonzalez moved to Brunswick County at 18 and quickly fell in love with its sense of community.

“In Charlotte, it was every man for himself,” he says. “Here, everyone looks out for each other. I see my clients at the grocery store or when I’m out to dinner, and it feels like family.”

That spirit of connection has become a defining part of Oak Island Fitness. Gonzalez sees the gym as more than a place to work out but a hub for encouragement and growth.

“Fitness is more than physical,” he says. “It’s confidence, it’s capability, it’s showing up for yourself every day.”

Being recognized as one of this year’s Future 10 honorees feels both humbling and affirming for the 21-year-old coach.

“It’s a full-circle moment,” he says. “Now it’s my turn to lead and guide the next generation and to keep proving that if you just get one percent better every day, you can become someone unrecognizable from who you were before.”

Dr. Brittany Hewett, Age 36
Director of Education, Impact Early Education

For Dr. Brittany Hewett, education is not just about teaching, it’s about transformation. As director of education at Impact Early Education, Hewett works to elevate the early childhood field, ensuring that teachers, families and children have the tools to thrive.

“I love seeing the light bulb go off,” she says. “That moment when someone realizes, ‘I can do this.’ It’s pure magic.”

Born and raised in Brunswick County, Hewett attended South Brunswick High School and was inspired to become an educator by many of her teachers along the way. After earning her bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education from East Carolina University (ECU) and spending time in the classroom, Hewett discovered a passion for teaching adults, too.

That insight led her to earn a master’s in Child Development and Family Relations, followed by a doctorate in Human Development and Family Studies from UNC Greensboro (UNCG). Through her education and her work, she most enjoys bridging the gap between academic research and real-world classroom practice.

“There’s so much research out there,” she explains, “but it’s not always available to the early childhood field. My goal is to make it more accessible and understandable.”

At Impact Early Education, Hewett oversees curriculum and training that redefine professional development for educators. Instead of traditional slide-deck lectures, her programs take on a “movie masterclass” style with real conversations, real stories and real solutions. She has taught as an adjunct professor at ECU, UNCG and currently at UNC Wilmington and runs her own consulting firm, The Hive Consulting, where she helps families and teachers navigate behavioral and developmental challenges.

Her newest endeavor, an AI-based project called Luma, represents a groundbreaking step in education technology. Designed to help teachers respond to behavioral challenges in real time, Luma aims to reduce burnout and turnover in early childhood classrooms.

“This technology allows educators to ask a question about handling a specific behavior in the classroom and get real-time, proven suggestions to help,” Hewett says.

Beyond her professional life, what Hewett loves most is being a wife to her best friend and husband, Zack Hewett, (also a former Future 10 recipient!), a mom to her free-spirited, inquisitive, intelligent and athletic daughter, Brooklynne, and a fur-mom to their two golden doodles, Clover and Arlow. She spends much of her time being Brooklynne’s biggest cheerleader on the sidelines of whatever court or field she’s playing on.

Additionally, Hewett currently serves as PTA president at her daughter’s school and is a familiar face in the hallways, organizing teacher appreciation events and student programs.

“I just love being involved,” she says. “It’s rewarding to see the difference you can make when you show up.”

For Hewett, being recognized among Brunswick County’s Future 10 honorees is a reflection of the work she pours into her community.

“It’s not about recognition,” she says. “It’s about helping teachers, families and kids grow — and watching what happens when they realize their own potential.”

Justin Lovin, Age 39
Executive Director, The Landings of Oak Island

If there is one phrase that defines Justin Lovin’s story, it’s that your past does not define you. A decade ago, Lovin was looking for a fresh start. Today, he’s the executive director of The Landings of Oak Island, a city commissioner for Boiling Spring Lakes and an active board member for both Brunswick Senior Resources and the Southport- Oak Island Area Chamber of Commerce.

“It’s an honor,” he says of being recognized among Brunswick County’s Future 10. “To be acknowledged by this community after everything I’ve worked for, it means a lot.”

A lifelong North Carolinian, Lovin was born and raised in Vance County before moving to the coast in 2016. His path to leadership was not linear. It wound through construction, sales, healthcare and food service.

“I’ve done a little bit of everything,” he says with a laugh. “From cooking at Mission Barbecue to working as an EMT and in hospice care.”
But it was his work in assisted living that felt like a calling.

“I take care of the seniors who laid the ground that we walk on,” he says. “That’s always been my saying.”

At The Landings of Oak Island, Lovin oversees the large assisted living community, ensuring that residents have a safe, vibrant place to call home.
“Seeing their smiles, hearing their stories, having conversations. That’s what makes it worth it,” he says.

His dedication to older adults extends beyond his job. As a board member of Brunswick Senior Resources, he advocates for affordable housing and programs that support aging residents. “They laid the ground we’re walking on, and now it’s our turn to take care of them.”

Lovin’s passion for service quickly expanded into public leadership. Just 30 days after moving to Boiling Spring Lakes, Lovin ran for city commissioner — and won.

“People thought I was crazy,” he says. “But I ran because there were two open seats and only two candidates. I thought, ‘That’s not democracy.’ So, I threw my hat in.”

As the Parks and Recreation liaison, he’s now helping develop a new senior center and improve community spaces.

Despite his many roles, Lovin keeps his focus close to home. He and his wife, Meredith, are raising their one-year-old daughter, Ellison Reagan, in Boiling Spring Lakes. In his rare spare time, he DJs weddings with Atlantic Premier Entertainment, something he has done for more than 20 years.

“I live a very public life during the day,” he says, “but at night, it’s all about family.”

And the Pirates. A proud graduate of East Carolina University, Lovin is a die-hard fan.

Lovin sees the Future 10 recognition not as a personal award, but as validation of the work still ahead.

“I’m blessed,” he says simply. “This is proof that your past doesn’t define you — it just prepares you for what’s next.”

Roman Lowe, Age 33
Coach, Southeastern Christian Academy

To Roman Lowe, coaching is not about wins and losses; it’s about life.

“When I was growing up, basketball was just the vehicle,” he says. “The lessons were what mattered.”

Those lessons, learned on the hardwood of West Brunswick High School under Coach Eric Davis, changed the trajectory of his life.

“He cared more about who we were as young men than about the game,” Lowe recalls. “He taught us about discipline, work ethic and integrity, and I’ve spent every day since trying to pass that on.”

Originally from Morristown, Tennessee, Lowe moved to Brunswick County as a teenager and found purpose in mentorship through sports. Today, he coaches high school basketball at Southeastern Christian Academy and 9U/10U travel baseball, working with kids as young as nine.

“I love being ‘Coach Rome,’” he says. “The best part is seeing a kid realize they can do more than they thought possible and watching them grow from it.”

For Lowe, coaching is also a ministry.

“You don’t know what difference you’re making in that kid’s life,” he says. “One of my runners wrote me a letter saying he’d been thinking about giving up on everything, but being part of our team gave him purpose. That’s why I do it.”

Off the court, Lowe is advocating for a major investment in Brunswick County’s youth, like a county-wide indoor training facility, where he says there are already people willing to invest in the infrastructure.

“We’re losing kids,” he says bluntly. “Not just to other programs, but to depression, anxiety and isolation. Kids in Myrtle Beach and Wilmington have access to facilities where they can train and be mentored. Our kids here deserve that too.”

Lowe envisions a space focused on health, nutrition and personal growth.

“It’s a safe, positive environment where kids can learn discipline, teamwork and purpose,” he says.

Before coaching full-time, Lowe worked in clean energy, real estate and construction. But family remains his driving force.

“My mom, Tammy, is my hero,” he says. “She was the glue that held our family together.”

Today, he and his wife are raising four children, ages 12, 10 and 5-year-old twins. Lowe carries his mother’s lessons into his own parenting.

“I remind myself daily that I get to be their dad,” he says. “That’s a privilege, not a burden.”

As a Future 10 honoree, Lowe sees the recognition as fuel for what’s next.

“We have great people here,” he says. “If we come together and invest in our youth, we can change the future of Brunswick County. That’s what keeps me going.”

Sarah Maykish, Age 39
Literacy Coach, Cedar Grove Middle School

A literacy coach at Cedar Grove Middle School since 2013, Sarah Maykish describes her role as a blend of teacher, mentor and collaborator.

“I divide my time between working with students and supporting teachers,” she explains. “Sometimes I’m co-teaching essays in social studies; other days, I’m helping a teacher analyze data or just running interference for a student having a rough morning. My goal is simple: to support in any way I can.”

Originally from Charleston, West Virginia, Maykish and her husband moved to Brunswick County thinking they would stay for just one year. Twelve years later, they’re raising two daughters, ages 7 and 5, and can’t imagine living anywhere else.

“We love this area,” she says. “We’re really invested in our schools and our students.”

Maykish’s approach to teaching is rooted in teamwork. Rather than pulling small groups of students out of class for extra help, she “pushes in” to classrooms, where she can work with a whole class of 25 or more.

“When I sit with students instead of standing in front of them, it breaks down walls,” she says. “Especially in middle school. Those years are tough.”

Maykish loves going into classrooms and “watching the magic happen.” Oftentimes, learning alongside them.

“I was just in a math class and was so excited to hear the teacher’s vocabulary,” she says. “She was talking about decomposing geometric shapes. I’m not a math person, and I learned something sitting in her sixth-grade math class!”

Outside the classroom, Maykish and her family spend weekends exploring local parks, visiting the Leland Public Library and cheering on their daughters’ newfound love of reading.

“We’ve raised two book lovers,” she says proudly.

Her youngest, who has a rare genetic disorder called Coffin-Siris syndrome, has taught her more about resilience than any textbook could.

“She’s thriving,” Maykish says. “She’s walking, talking, feeding herself. She’s living proof of what can happen when you have a great support team.”

That same philosophy extends to Maykish’s vision for education in Brunswick County.

“Parents can’t do it alone, and teachers can’t do it alone,” she says. “It has to be a team effort.”

She dreams of schools that serve as true community hubs. Places where families feel welcome, connected and part of something larger.

Recognition isn’t something Maykish seeks. When she learned she had been selected for this year’s Future 10 class, she was genuinely surprised.

“I had no idea,” she says. “I just love my work and my students, and that’s what drives me.”

Allayna Dail Taylor, Age 30
Director of Community Relations, City of Southport

For Allayna Dail Taylor, building community is both an art and a calling. As Southport’s director of community relations, Taylor manages everything from large-scale events to local partnerships, but at the heart of it all is the relationships.

“I think one of the things I love most is the connection,” she says. “Knowing that what I do every day affects people in a positive way.”

Originally from Oriental, North Carolina, Taylor earned her degree in history from the University of North Carolina Wilmington, specializing in Colonial North Carolina. During college, she interned at Tryon Palace in New Bern, which sparked a love for public history and civic engagement. After several years working in Wilmington, she moved to Brunswick County, finding a new home in Southport’s close-knit community.

“I felt like I’d hit a wall where I was,” she says. “When I found Southport, I fell in love with it.”

Her department functions as an umbrella for many aspects of city life, and her job includes working with community organizations and businesses like the Southport Historical Society, managing the Fort Johnston Visitor Center, partnering with local nonprofits, coordinating weddings and events at the Southport Community Center, and managing annual events like Winterfest and the North Carolina Fourth of July Festival.

“There are just so many different things that come together under our department that it makes my job fun and engaging,” she says.

Among the greatest challenges of her work, Taylor notes, is spreading the word about all the events that take place to ensure residents feel informed and involved.

“We use print, online media, social media, magazines, newspapers, you name it, and still, some people say they didn’t hear about an event,” she says. “We’re always trying to figure out new ways to connect.”

What she loves most about Brunswick County is its charm.

“Growing up in Pamlico County, I loved the quiet, rural feel,” she says. “When I moved to Southport, I felt that again. Even with growth, Southport has maintained its charm. The community has stayed true to itself, and you don’t see that everywhere.”

Looking ahead, Taylor hopes to help Southport balance its economic reliance on tourism with the needs of full-time residents.

“Tourism keeps our businesses alive, but it’s also important that people who live here feel heard and supported,” she says. “There has to be a way to make it work for everyone.”

For Taylor, being recognized as one of Brunswick County’s Future 10 honorees is a moment of gratitude and motivation.

“It’s an acknowledgment from a community I love deeply,” she says. “And it inspires me to keep finding ways to help it grow while staying true to what makes it special.”