Meet Adelaide’s 40 biggest names under 40
From tech to dentistry, law and fashion — see the full list of savvy South Australians making big names for themselves.
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They’re the bold young South Aussies kicking goals in various industries key to our state.
From tech to dentistry, law and fashion — here, we list 40 of our state’s top names under 40, and reveal the key to their impressive success.
Kedeisha Kartinyeri, 26
A trailblazer by every definition, proud Ngarrindjeri woman and director at KML Business Solutions is passionate about supporting Aboriginal-owned businesses to grow, scale and thrive in business.
“I really enjoyed maths at school and knew I wanted to be the first in my family to graduate from university,” she said of her career beginnings.
“From there, I took every opportunity to gain experience. That’s when I found my love for working with Aboriginal communities and supporting Aboriginal businesses and organisations.”
“Dream big,” is her slice of wisdom for others hoping to achieve big things.
“We are seeing more and more that your age doesn’t define what you can achieve. Nor should it. Go out, work hard, say yes to opportunities because you never know where it will take you.”
Eloise Hall, 25
Social enterprise TABOO, which sells high-quality period products in Australia with profits committed to ending period poverty, was co-founded by Eloise Hall and Isobel Marshall when they were just 17 and 18 years old.
Now 25, Ms Hall is on the up and up.
Having graduated from her double bachelor degree in business and international relations from Flinders University last year, Ms Hall was awarded the Westpac social change fellowship, the EY Entrepreneur of the Year in the impact category and the Flinders early career alumni award.
She also joined the board of the SA Social Enterprise Council as treasurer — and is someone to keep a firm eye on.
Linda Huynh, 27
Linda Huynh is the queen of viral content, and the genius behind The Oodie’s social media explosion.
Having started at the company in a customer service role, she moved into content creation and “accidentally” became ‘The Oodie Girl’.
Straight out of university, her first role was as the digital marketing co-ordinator at BMW, Mini Cooper and Ferrari Adelaide
But during Covid came her big break — with her content going viral on TikTok.
“I then got scouted by a Talent Agency where I got to do TikTok campaigns for DJ Khaled, Dua Lipa, Camilla, Subway … and more … I started working at the Oodie three years ago and worked my way up to head of social media.
“Now outside of work I create content for huge global brands such as Uniqlo, HM, Champion, Go-To Skincare, Metricon Homes, Koala and more.
“My goal is to make brands go viral one video at a time.”
Her career advice is to “just go for it”.
Joshua Cavallo, 24
Adelaide United football star Joshua Cavallo is our very own LGBTQ+ icon.
In 2021, he became the first known top-flight player in the world to come out, and has since used his platform as a proud advocate for the queer community.
His on-pitch proposal to partner Leighton Morrel at Coopers Stadium this year again made global headlines — solidifying his trailblazer status.
Rylee Cooper, 24
Adelaide content creator turned matchmaker Rylee Cooper is the face behind Date Night Adelaide, an account dedicated to showing off “date ideas, stunning stays and vibey food recs” in SA.
From posting vlogs showing off the best food the state has to offer, Cooper now hosts sellout events for singles sick of dating apps to make new friends and possibly find the one.
Tom Oswald, 19
Teen TikTok star and owner of Hahndorf cafe, Homeboy, is a lesson in persistence being the key to success.
That and, of course, the power of social media.
Back in 2023, Mr Oswald was devastated when he opened the doors to his dream cafe only to spend the day waiting for a single customer.
Now, the Hahndorf cafe is bustling with coffee lovers – thanks to his viral TikTok videos.
The young entrepreneur told The Advertiser he barely had time to stop making coffees to pose for a photograph when he first blew up online, having surpassed a million likes on some posts.
Lachlan Hoy, 39
Managing Director of Innovative Eye Care Lachlan Hoy’s ambitions are lofty — yet he’s well on the way to achieving them.
His vision for South Australia is to make the state the hub of innovation by “stopping the brain drain”, telling the SA Business Chamber he left SA to study optometry in Queensland because it wasn’t available at the time.
“I didn’t want to live there, I wanted to be in Adelaide,” he said.
“In South Australia we have a really good quality of life, and that is really important in attracting a skilled workforce where people are paid well and can have the lifestyle that we have here in South Australia.
“You can already see it with how we have attracted companies like BAE, the submarines and whether it be ‘medtech’ or other industries I think it is really going to stop the brain drain, because we are bringing people here with these skills that want his quality of life, and I just think that is fantastic”.
Chloe Cocks, 37
Speech pathologist and founder of Roar Speech is an absolute powerhouse in the industry.
A passionate advocate for supporting children’s communication development, her career blossomed after her university studies ended in 2012.
“Working in private practice has enabled me to develop a business founded on strong values, centred around relationship, understanding, diversity and compassion and I feel proud to lead a team of exceptional women who have similar values to me,” she told The Advertiser.
Her best piece of advice?
“Follow your intuition, that feeling in your gut, your internal compass that gives you the quietest of nudges.”
George Alice, 20
Known professionally as George Alice, 20-year-old Georgia Mannion rose to fame after winning Triple J’s Unearthed High Competition for her debut single “Circles” in 2019.
Last year was huge for the young talent, with more on the cards for 2024.
After songwriting trips to Los Angeles and London, the musician released track “Healed” last year, before heading off on tour with Northeast Arnhem Land band King Stingray.
Dajana Vujica, 33
The 33-year-old University of Adelaide alumna attributes her “unique mix of court and country experience” as helping shape her early career success.
“My first job out of university was as a deputy associate to a judge in the Federal Circuit Court (as it was then known) … I spent most of my days in the courtroom and became familiar with the barristers and solicitors of the family law profession in Adelaide,” the now senior associate at Swan Family Lawyers previously told The Advertiser.
RackaRacka twins, 31
Adelaide YouTube sensations Michael and Danny Philippou are proving the sky is the limit to their ambitions.
The pair sold the North American rights to their first feature film, the supernatural thriller Talk to Me, to American film company A24.
The film became the company’s second-biggest debut since Hereditary, raking in $10m at the box office.
This year, they’ve locked in a follow-up, signing on to direct original horror movie Bring Her Back, which will star two-time Oscar nominee Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water).
The film will begin production this American summer, according to Deadline.com.
Ashton Hurn, 33
Opposition health spokeswoman and new mum Ashton Hurn has been backed as one of the future political leaders of South Australia — and even the country.
The Liberal Party MP has been touted by colleagues as “the future leader of the party”, saying there’s “no doubt” about her future success.
The MP believed Ms Hurn had the “skills and capacity” to secure the party’s base and connect with key suburban voters to sway elections.
Charlie Hender, 29
The co-founder of ORTC Clothing Co. has successfully created one of South Australia’s most recognisable clothing brands.
Mr Hender, along with his mate William Swale, founded the lifestyle label back in 2016, opening its first brick-and-mortar store in prime position on The Parade in 2022.
“Having worked hard on establishing and building the brand the past six years, it is so rewarding to be in a position to officially open a store that encapsulates our identity and who we are as a brand,” Mr Hender said at the time.
Sophie Cox, 24
Sophie Cox — or as she’s known on Instagram, Sophie’s Sweets, was previously the head pastry chef at Leabrook Bakehouse and Patisserie.
When it comes to cakes, the more colourful, the better for Cox, whose retro, frilly designs make for cakes that look (almost) too good to eat.
She has become the go-to creator for the most Instagram-worthy wedding, birthday and celebration cakes.
Davie Fogarty, 29
Davie Fogarty, 29, made his millions as the founder of the hugely popular wearable blanket the “Oodie”, with a net worth of $500 million.
Fogarty’s public profile exploded in 2023, joining the judging panel on Shark Tank Australia.
He recently made headlines for gifting his parents a $1.6m property in Mylor.
Sim Penzo, 35
The founder of app design and development company CodeFish Studio started out making coffees while establishing his business back in 2012.
Having moved from Italy, Mr Penzo said it was the perfect way to meet his first customers.
“I was making coffees on East Terrace and that’s how I met my first customers, by just making coffee for them, and then I would say, oh by the way, I have a brother back in Italy making websites, why don’t we do something together?,” he told the SA Business Chamber.
Rosaria Rita Daniel, 20
Social media sensation and Australian Fashion Week darling Rosaria Rita Daniel is the founder of RRD Creative Content, a content creation agency driven by her passion for fashion-related content.
The Instagram guru is passionate about showcasing the creme de la creme of Australian fashion and beauty, with a feed is brimming with aesthetically-pleasing snaps.
Tild Ricourt, 27
A happy accident has secured Ms Ricourt as one of the top marketing minds of the state — running her own firm at just 27.
It all stemmed from her job working as a door girl at various Adelaide nightclubs.
“Since the nightclub, I supported that boss in opening another 13 venues as he grew: restaurants, bars, nightclubs, live music venues and cafes,” she told The Advertiser.
“I rose the ranks from marketing assistants to head of marketing, managing 11 internal staff.”
In February 2023 Ms Ricourt quit the club scene to start her own company, joining forces with the owners of design agency, Frame Creative, to together open Purpose, where she’s gone from strength to strength.
Kyle Goldsworthy, 28
The Tolis & Co senior associate’s areas of expertise extend from family law (primarily parenting and property matters) to care and protection (matters involving children being removed from their parents/caregivers by the Child Protection Department).
“I knew I wanted to be a lawyer from a young age,” Kyle Goldsworthy previously told The Advertiser.
“I was raised by a single parent with a rare auto-immune disease, who always placed the needs of me and my siblings above (her) own.
“I now know this to be the most telling sign of a good parent – if not for the sacrifices made by my mother, I would not be the person or lawyer I am today.”
Daniel Franco, 39
Entrepreneur Daniel Franco is the co-owner of Synergy IQ – a business transformation advisory firm with big global ambitions.
Mr Franco assists organisations in digital transformation, but his focus on ensuring the humans most affected by his change become the real heroes.
He also hosts company podcast Creating Synergy, which has featured a number of high-profile guests.
Chanel Martin, 35
Aged just 35 and a partner at Resolve Divorce, an all-female law firm in North Adelaide, there’s no disputing Chanel Martin’s earned her place as a young industry leader in the area of family law in this state.
She is one of a handful of formally-accredited family law specialists in South Australia and also holds a Masters of Law (family law), both being the highest qualifications available to a family lawyer. In addition, she is certified divorce coach and collaboratively-trained lawyer.
Chloe McLeod, 38
The general Manager of Verde Nutrition Co is one of our state’s brightest experts in nutrition and dietetics.
But it took a while to get there, having once held an unpaid position for an NRL team, starting at 5.30am in the morning.
Speaking to the South Australian Business Chamber, she credits “saying yes” to her success in starting Verde in 2022.
Jake Press, 39
The forward-thinking managing director of FOUR, an IT services and consulting company, is a firm believer in happiness existing at the core of success.
“A performant business can be a real happy group of people with technology just killing it and doing good things,” he recently told the SA Business Chamber’s ThirtyNiners podcast.
“If everyone is living their best lives at home, they live their best lives at work driving big outcomes, and we’re really excited to explore new ways of working too, we’re always self-disrupting ourselves looking for new ways to change how we approach problems.”
Lydia Ho, 29
Port Lincoln-based, this 28-year-old Mellor and Olsson solicitor’s ability to speak fluently in four languages uniquely equips her to effectively communicate the intricacies of family and divorce law to her broad and diverse clientele – something she is passionate about.
A graduate of both the Australian National University and University of Adelaide, Lydia Ho is described as having “exceptional qualities as a family and divorce lawyer … a truly distinctive and sought-after professional”.
Luke Timmins, 30
He one of the men behind some of Adelaide’s most beautiful gardens.
But co-director of Adelaide and Hills Lawns and Gardens Luke Timmins admits his career wasn’t always smooth sailing, with a figurative “punch in the face” from his business partner Jarrad Tait key to his leadership style forever.
Now, he tells the South Australian Business Chamber’s ThirtyNiners Podcast, constructive criticism is central to how he operates.
Leah Itsines, 29
The foodie sister of fitness queen Kayla Itsines has made a solid name for herself as a nutritious recipe mastermind.
At just 29, she is the founder of health supplements brand, Yes Please Health.
The mum of two-year-old daughter Gigi boasts 587k followers and counting, having become a hit for her down-to-earth approach to cooking and cute glimpses into her personal life.
Nestoras “Nes” Alexandropoulos, 34
Mellor Olsson lawyer Mr Alexandropoulos’ main focus is on intervention orders to help people in domestic violence situations.
The 34-year-old graduate of Flinders University chose to specialise in family law for this very reason.
It’s his passion for helping his clients that motivates him.
“I enjoy getting to know my clients and helping them through what is generally one of the most stressful times of their lives,” he said.
Michael Filosi, 39
Dr Michael Filosi, principal dentist and clinical director at Fullarton Park Dental is an unapologetic “try hard” and self-confessed “nerd”.
But don’t let the self-deprecation fool you — Dr Filosi is as ambitious as it gets, having turned a slightly worn-down dental practice into an eight surgery facility, with its enormous growth all thanks to word of mouth.
The dad-of-one said he started his business endeavour with the focus of “doing the right thing, and trusting that patients would tell their friends and family”.
It worked.
Tom Glazbrook, 37
From humble beginnings, Mine Tech Engineering managing director Mr Glazbrook began his career as a boilermaker in Minlaton.
He went on to establish Mine Tech Engineering in a Roxy Downs shed with fellow boilermaker Matt Glasser.
Now, the Edinburgh-based company employs over 250 people, having acquired three more businesses over the years: Plasteel, Statewide Poly Services, and Pipetech.
Lauren Robbins, 38
Robbins Lawyers and Conveyancers managing director Ms Robbins was admitted to the Supreme Court at just 26, going on to establish her own business five years later.
Her tip to achieving your career goals?
“Surround yourself with people that lift you up and seek guidance from those people.
“Each day you must aim to be the best possible version of yourself that you can be.”
Sarah Watson, 38
“Having my own experiences of illness, injury, reconstructive surgery and rehab, I wanted to embark on a career which would integrate the mind and body to establish truly ‘holistic’ health and wellbeing,” she told The Advertiser of her career goals.
Thus, her multidisciplinary wellness hub in North Adelaide was born.
For those looking to follow in her footsteps, she advises “ensuring that you have a legitimate solution to a legitimate problem”.
“Begin with an outcome in mind, and shape all of your steps around solid core values.
If you have a clear framework of a values-based mission, it’s hard to go wrong!”
Amy Young, 36
Founder of AimWild and passionate environmentalist Amy Young says her career started “slowly” — having applied for over 60 jobs in the industry after uni before scoring an entry level field job.
Now, AimWild proudly works with for-purpose organisations, First Nations groups, government and private sector as an independent voice in the ecological restoration sector.
“(Before starting AimWild), I moved locations for new opportunities, with the silver lining that I learnt about different landscapes, climates, and communities, and how to connect with people from diverse backgrounds and language groups,” Ms Young explained.
“This meandering and persistence created mental agility which served me well in my career because it opened doors to fascinating roles with amazing people in conservation, restoration and management of land and sea country, from the tropics to Antarctica.”
She said leaning in to the “scary stuff” has always aided her journey.
“Trust yourself and your passion, work hard to get there, and learn from all the things that don’t go the way you wanted.”
Leanne Hasting, 38
Leanne Hasting’s career journey is a classic tale of “failing up”.
From her farm on the Yorke Peninsula, she consults to businesses around Australia
supporting their human resources goals.
But human resources wasn’t always in her plan — it took failing financial accounting (twice) to get there.
The shift was a perfect match for her natural people skills, and she now runs her own firm, Leanna J Consulting.
“I saw a need to help more employers than just mine to understand and manage their people management obligations, so I started my own consulting company to do just that,” Ms Hasting told The Advertiser.
“Age doesn’t matter when it comes to achieving big goals in business, what matters is the value you can add to someone else with the problems you can solve for them.”
Georgina Turelli, 36
A process of elimination ultimately helped catapult Ms Turelli to career success, admitting she knew she wasn’t made for an office job since high school.
Now, the senior remedial massage therapist and founder of G-Vitalize Health and Fitness is doing what she loves everyday.
“I had a passion for working with people and was fascinated by the amazing things the human body could do,” she said of what drove her to study human movement at uni.
“It’s the best feeling having a client walk in with pain then walk out pain free, tall and with a smile on their face.”
Connor Rozee, 23
AFL fans are pretty excited to see what is in store for Connor Rozee’s future.
First drafted in 2018 to Port Adelaide, the 23-year-old is a dual all-Australian, a best-and-fairest winner and the club’s new captain, one of the youngest in Port Adelaide’s history.
On a personal note Rozee is also expecting his first child with fiancee Maisie Packer, whom he is set to marry in 2024.
Olivia Jenkins, 32
Olivia Jenkins is a born entrepreneur, coming from the family behind wildly successful beauty brand Kosmea.
“Growing up, I was deeply involved with my family’s global natural skincare brand.
“This experience provided me with a unique insight into the intricacies of running a business from a very young age,” the owner of Olivia Jenkins Consulting told The Advertiser.
Leveraging her business know-how to forge her own path, Ms Jenkins’ luxury consulting firm specialises in strategic marketing in the health, beauty, fashion, and lifestyle industries.
“Over the years, I’ve had the privilege of working with over 500 CEOs, generating $70 million in client sales since 2019, and helping many clients achieve cult-like status,” she said.
While she admits it’s in her blood — her early-in-life success comes predominantly from adopting a “strategic mindset”.
“Most people don’t actually know what their goals are, so the first step is to clearly articulate what you want to achieve and create a road map that breaks down how you will achieve that vision on a daily basis,” she said, adding that “the road to growth is not always easy”.
Tamara Caire, 38
For marketing maven Ms Caire, building her own company has been a dream of hers since 12 years old.
The founder of No Fluff Marketing Agency was inspired by her dad — and is a big advocate for soaking up everything you can from other “driven business people”.
“You’ll learn a lot from them and understand what it takes to be successful – which is hard work and persistence,” she said.
Amy Smith, 35
Like many before her — co-founder of luxe hairdresser The Chapel Aldgate Ms Smith’s success came from “a leap of faith”.
Her story is now one of the greatest career pivots of the list.
“After spending post school focused on law, study while working as an executive assistant in varied professional sectors — I took a leap of faith and entered the hair and beauty industry.”
Using social media to grow her clientele, she now has her third salon, 11 staff and — believe it or not — also acts as chief marketing officer at cyber security and IT support consultancy Secure State Consultants, founded by her husband.
“I am always looking to diversify my skills in different industries and have a passion for continuing education and scaling businesses to their best potential,” she told The Advertiser.
Jacqui Watts, 39
Glenelg women’s health and naturopath specialist hub, Healthful Wellness, is a culmination of Ms Watts lifelong passion for natural healing.
Knowing exactly what she wanted out of life, Ms Watts’ naturopath career started straight out of high school.
Now, her business helps women all over Adelaide with thyroid, hormones, menopause, PMS and other female hormone disorders.
Her advice for achieving your goals?
“Make your dreams exciting enough that it gives you the drive to keep showing up and persisting even through the ups and downs of any big goals, and absolutely surround yourself with mentors to support you.”
This listing has no association with the 40 Under 40 Awards sponsored by InDaily / CityMag.
Originally published as Meet Adelaide’s 40 biggest names under 40
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