40 Under 40 celebrates young alumni leading the pack in their industries and communities.
UGA’s 40 Under 40 celebrates young alumni leading the pack in their industries and communities. Their Georgia roots run deep. And so does their commitment.
Each year, we gather to celebrate this commitment by recognizing 4o of our outstanding alumni under the age of 40. These ambitious graduates are finding creative solutions to world problems, leading businesses and serving their communities. Nominated by their peers, they truly represent our best and brightest bulldogs. The School of Public and International Affairs is pleased to announce seven 40 under 40 honorees: Mike Barry, Dave Bliss, Alex T. Bradford, Jordan Layson, Roya Naghepour, Ines K. Owens, and Ryan Scates.
Leading and serving. That’s our commitment.
Meet the School of Public and International Affairs 40 under 40 Honorees
Mike Barry
AB ’10, AB ’10
Advising titans of the automobile industry
School/College
Franklin College of Arts & Sciences, School of Public & International Affairs
City
Nashville, Tennessee
Occupation
Nissan North America, Inc.
Senior Counsel
Biography
Mike provides counsel on complex matters pertaining to the automobile industry such as antitrust, trade, export control and product liability across the Americas and the globe. Mike was selected for Nissan’s executive leadership program and as such, was one of the youngest participants across the Americas. He has been recognized by the United Nations for pro bono work under the Hague Convention and was named a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar at Columbia Law. Mike mentors UGA students pursuing legal careers and has served as an on-campus interviewer for the UGA School of Law. He supports various fundraising initiatives across campus, from the Department of History and the College of Public Health to the School of Public and International Affairs and the UGA Athletic Association through the Magill Society.
Dave Bliss
AB ’07, BBA ’08
Coordinating defense for top NBA team
School/College
School of Public & International Affairs, Terry College of Business
City
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Occupation
Oklahoma City Thunder
Assistant Coach
Biography
A former UGA basketball player and 2008 SEC Scholar-Athlete of the Year, Dave began his coaching career as a volunteer at Georgia before joining the NBA in 2010 with the Oklahoma City Thunder, contributing to a Finals run and working with three future MVPs. He later served as an assistant coach with the New York Knicks under Derek Fisher and Phil Jackson. Since 2018, he has helped lead the Thunder’s resurgence as lead assistant and defensive coordinator, guiding them to take home the No. 1 spot in the 2025 NBA Championship. He also coached Germany’s national team and was named to The Athletic’s 40 Under 40 list in basketball in 2024. Dave provides mentorship and guidance to student-athletes through the UGA Athletics department and gives back to the Terry College of Business Real Estate program.
Alex T. Bradford
AB ’10
Connecting politics, agriculture and mentorship
School/College
School of Public & International Affairs
City
Macon, Georgia
Occupation
Georgia Farm Bureau
Director of Public Policy
Biography
Alex leads advocacy, commodities, and policy teams for the state’s largest agricultural organization. Alex is passionate about connecting rural and urban communities, championing sustainability, and mentoring future leaders. He has helped shape policy through partnerships with groups like Georgia Conservancy and the Institute for Georgia Environmental Leadership. Alex’s team at Georgia Farm Bureau earned an Award of Excellence from the American Farm Bureau Federation for their creation of several community-oriented policy programs. Alex serves on the College of Veterinary Medicine Dean’s Advisory Council, the SPIA Alumni Board and guides students through the UGA Mentor Program and CAES Agriculture Fellows program.
Jordan Layson
AB ’09
Collaborating with Congress for biomedical innovation in the United States
School/College
School of Public & International Affairs
City
Washington, DC
Occupation
Amgen
U.S. Government Affairs Senior Director
Biography
Jordan is a seasoned health policy leader based in Washington, D.C., with over a decade of experience in federal health policy and government affairs. In her current role, she advocates for policies that support biomedical innovation and patient access to life-saving therapies. In 2024, Jordan received Amgen’s prestigious “Unsung Hero Award” for her behind-the-scenes work defeating a policy that would have restricted access to infused medicines. Previously, she served as Health Policy Advisor to the late U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson (BBA ’66), advancing legislation on Medicare, Medicaid, FDA, and NIH. Jordan serves on the SPIA Alumni Board, leads fundraising for the Federal Policy Outlook series, and is helping launch the Johnny Isakson Legacy Fund and Center for Political Discourse. She is also an Advisory Board Member of GlobalWIN and a passionate advocate for pediatric neurosurgery innovation, raising nearly $50K for Children’s National Hospital.
Roya Naghepour
AB ’19, JD ’22
Providing the foundation for mentorship and service to others
School/College
School of Public & International Affairs, School of Law
City
Atlanta, Georgia
Occupation
Alston & Bird LLP
Attorney
Biography
Roya is the first American-born member of her family after her parents emigrated from Iran. She has clerked for the Honorable Lisa Godbey Wood (AB ’85, JD ’90) and Justice Andrew A. Pinson (BBA ’08, JD ’11) and will soon clerk for Judge Tamika Montgomery-Reeves (JD ’06) on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit. She currently practices at Alston & Bird, where she mentors junior attorneys and contributes to a culture of inclusion. At UGA, Roya was a Foundation Fellow in the Morehead Honors College, Student Government Association vice president, and the first student to argue before the Georgia Court of Appeals. She helped launch the UGA Mentor Program and remains deeply involved through the Law School Young Alumni Council, Women of UGA and moot court coaching.
Ines K. Owens
AB ’10, AB ’10
Coordinating resources for Georgians in times of need
School/College
School of Public & International Affairs, Franklin College of Arts & Sciences
City
Woodstock, Georgia
Occupation
Office of the Lieutenant Governor of Georgia
Policy and Communications Director
Biography
Ines has over a decade of experience in Georgia state policy, including more than seven years as a legislative staffer and director of the Senate Press Office. She currently serves on the policy team for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor, where she oversees key legislative priorities and budget matters, including landmark reforms in school choice and Georgia’s Certificate of Need laws. Previously, she held government affairs roles at Emory University, Grady Health System, and the Association County Commissioners of Georgia. At Grady Hospital in Atlanta, she played a pivotal role during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping coordinate emergency response efforts and securing over $100 million in federal and state funding. Ines’ work is closely related to UGA, and she provides mentorship to students as well as collaboration opportunities with fellow alumni.
Ryan Scates
AB ’10, JD ’13
Building relationships through guidance and counsel
School/College
School of Public & International Affairs, School of Law
City
Saint Simons Island, Georgia
Occupation
Hall Booth Smith, P.C.
Attorney
Biography
Ryan is an attorney with a background in law, finance, and entrepreneurship. Currently practicing at a national law firm, he advises businesses and individuals on complex transactions, strategic planning, and navigating high-stakes legal challenges. His career began in-house at a family office in Atlanta, where he gained early exposure to sophisticated business operations and legal strategy. He later co-founded an investment firm focused on health care and real estate, which he helped guide through volatile markets and the COVID-19 pandemic. Ryan serves on the UGA School of Law Alumni Council, established the Scates Family Endowment, and mentors UGA Law students.
