The 2026 40 Under 40s will be announced soon! Watch for more info and a registration link to our awards event May 28! Meantime, meet one of our 2025 40 Under 40s:
Jake Woodford, Mayor of the city of Appleton
Can you share one of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame it?
I took office in the early days of the COVID-19 pandemic. The pressures were enormous, and there was intense anxiety and uncertainty all around. At every turn, I tried to be honest about what I knew and didn’t know, open about the information I was using to make decisions, and maintained trust in my fellow Appletonians that, with information and encouragement, would do what was best for themselves and our community as a whole.
What is one cause or issue that you’re especially passionate about, and why?
Fostering strong, positive and productive civic engagement. We live in a time where peoples’ relationships with institutions and government are seriously strained. I believe the best thing leaders can do is work every day to build trust and tap into the knowledge and experiences of the constituencies they serve. We will rarely all agree on every issue, but I believe it is possible for every person to feel respected, appreciated, and like they belong.
What advice would you give to others looking to make a difference in their communities?
Making a difference isn’t always about grandiose initiatives, fancy titles, or ample resources. In fact, some of the most impactful things anyone can do to make a difference are small things, done consistently, without expectation.
What’s a failure or setback you experienced that ended up being a stepping stone to something greater?
In college, I lost an election to a leadership position in a student organization I was a part of. It pushed me to think bigger and go beyond that organization, instead running and winning election as president of the student government of the campus. That set in motion what would become the start of my career, and helped prepare me for the work I do now.
What legacy do you hope to leave, both in your career and in your community?
I try not to concern myself with legacy, as ultimately I do not get to decide exactly what that will be. What I do hope is that people feel I was honest, fair, kind, and that I positively contributed to their lives in some way.
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