Health Wagon Nurse Practitioner Named Virginia Business Forty Under 40 Recipient

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

March 24, 2026

CONTACT:Gina Galloway

EMAIL:events@va-business.com

Virginia Business Announces 2026 Forty Under 40 Awards

Virginia Business has selected Cara Robinson Stewart, a double board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner and Associate Chief Clinical Officer of The Health Wagon of Wise, Virginia,as a Forty Under 40 award recipient.

The Virginia Business Forty Under 40 is the only statewide awards program recognizing exceptional young professionals under 40 years old. Nominated by their peers and supervisors, honorees were selected by the editorial team of Virginia Business based on their professional accomplishments, community service and commitment to inspiring change. The list of winners is below.

“This year’s Forty Under 40 honorees represent an impressive cross section of Virginia’s emerging leaders,” said Richard Foster, associate publisher and editor of Virginia Business. “They not only excel in their respective fields but also strengthen their communities and organizations in meaningful ways. We’re proud to recognize this dynamic group of professionals who are helping shape the future of business and leadership across the commonwealth.”

“Cara’s leadership and compassion inspire everyone around her,” said Dr. Teresa Tyson, DNP, FNP-BC, FAANP, President and CEO of The Health Wagon. “Her heart for the people of Appalachia and her dedication to innovation in rural healthcare make her deeply deserving of this recognition.”

Dr. Paula Hill-Collins, DNP, FNP-BC, Clinical Director and Vice President of The Health Wagon, added, “Cara embodies the spirit of servant leadership that defines The Health Wagon. Her strength, vision, and heart for this region are unmatched. She represents the best of what it means to ‘Love All – Serve All,’ and we are incredibly proud to see her recognized among the top young leaders shaping the future of Appalachia.”

The honorees will be recognized May 5 at a celebration at The Science Museum of Virginia, 2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220. The evening will begin with networking, heavy hors d’oeuvres and drinks, followed by the awards celebration and concluding with drinks and additional networking opportunities.

Winners will be profiled in the May 2026 issue of Virginia Business, which will also be available online at VirginiaBusiness.com.

For more information and the most updated listing of sponsors, visit VirginiaBusiness.com/event/forty-under-40/.

About Virginia Business

Established in 1986, Virginia Business is the only publication in Virginia dedicated to covering economic activity in every sector and region of the commonwealth. The magazine has established a reputation as a must-read for those who want to stay abreast of commercial events in Virginia and attracts a diverse group of readers, including business leaders who hold managerial and financial positions and fill a host of C-suite positions. Virginia Business hosts several annual events to recognize excellence and provide leadership opportunities and facilitates thoughtful discussion with market leaders through its webinar series. Its Digital Marketing Solutions helps customers with social media, search engine marketing and optimization, retargeting, email marketing and more. Virginia Business is part of BridgeTower Media, the authoritative voice for insights and marketing solutions across 40+ brands in five key sectors across the United States. For more information, visit VirginiaBusiness.com.

About The Health Wagon:
The Health Wagon, a nurse practitioner-managed clinic established in 1980, provides free medical, dental, pharmacy, and vision services to underserved communities in Lee, Scott, Wise, Dickenson, Buchanan, Washington and Russell Counties, as well as the City of Norton. For more information, please call 276-328-8850 or visit www.thehealthwagon.org. To donate to The Health Wagon, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, please visit: www.thehealthwagon.org/donate.

2026 Forty Under 40

Peter Askin, ThompsonMcMullan

Peter Bilzerian, MPP Insights

Lee Ann Brinkman, JLL

Katie Buckler, VHC Health

Leon Burns, Open Technology Group

Elizabeth Chapman, Williams Mullen

Will Clements, The Bank of Southside Virginia

Curtis Cobert Jr., City of Hampton Economic Development

Chelsea Copan, TowneBank

Harry Davis IV, Sussex Development Corp.

Bayu Demirci, Orr Partners

Michael Evans, Hampton Roads Alliance

Alexandra Fabling, Phlow Corp.

Ramain Gohar, Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity

David Harlow, Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services

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Lindsey Haught, HTR Logistics

Jennifer Johnson, W.M. Jordan Co.

Sharon Manana, WPA (Work Program Architects)

Christopher McNamara, Virginia Housing

Shannon Murphy, Sentara Health

Ona Omorogbe, Sentara Health

William Palmer, Kaufman & Canoles

Jacob Pierce, Woods Rogers

Will Pizzano, Pizzano Contractors

Michael Poluka, Stihl Inc.

Luke Roark, Commonwealth Contractors

Dan Roberts, Virginia Tourism Corp.

Kelsey Robertson, TECHnista

Georgia Schelberger, Towne Insurance

Juan Segura, Commonwealth of Virginia

William Smith, Dominion Energy

Abby Smith, Qantm Creative

Cara Robinson Stewart, The Health Wagon

Kevin Sweeney Jr., Colonna's Shipyard

Cassidy Taylor, Access Point Public Affairs

Christina Todd, Cary Street Partners

Mallory Tuttle, Virginia Tech

Vijay Vaswani, Mason SBDC Regional Partnerships (Small Business Development Center)

Davis Watson, Ferguson Enterprises

Patrick Whelan, TowneBank