The 2026 40 Under 40s will be announced this week! Watch for more info and a registration link to our awards event May 28! In the meantime, meet one of our 2025 40 Under 40s:
Brett Wetzel, VP, Sustainability and Innovation for U.S. Venture
What do you wish more people understood about your field or industry?Â
Sustainability is really interesting; it brings a powerful inspiration for some and an immediate resistance from others. Sustainability includes environmental, social, and governance. Sustainability is an element of nearly every business (or community) decision or process that represents a better way to do something.
Can you share one of the most significant challenges you’ve faced in your career and how you overcame it?
Making the move from education to the business world. It was professionally hard as I had wanted to be an educator and jumped to something that I didn’t have a plan for where I wanted to go. It was technically hard as I didn’t have any formal business education or background. It was personally hard because I got a lot of satisfaction from teaching and helping people develop. I jumped in and started learning as much as I could about the business world, found areas where I could still stay to my teaching roots, and overall was fortunate to be with a company the last 12 years that I’ve been able to grow, learn, and follow my passions.
What has been the most rewarding part of your professional journey so far?Â
Being able to be a continual learner in each role I’ve taken, with each one also bringing a teaching element for internal teams, customers, or partners of the business or community. This leads to seeing colleagues develop in their careers and grow their impact in an area of passion—something really rewarding for me.
What is one cause or issue that you’re especially passionate about, and why?Â
Mental health. It has a stigma (thankfully that continues to minimize) and is something that can impact just about anyone. It is hard to see but can be debilitating and isolating. Continuing to have awareness of mental health, supporting efforts and organizations in this space, and showing genuine care for people in how they are doing are all pieces to this.
What advice would you give to others looking to make a difference in their communities?
Be clear on what you are passionate about, and find a person or organization that can help you contribute to a way to improve that in your community with your time, money, or talents. Overall, just start—no matter how small.
