Four NYU Steinhardt alumni were recognized for their impact in business and industry.
Forbes has released their 30 Under 30 2022 list. The list honors the brightest entrepreneurs and professionals in a variety of industries and businesses who have achieved success before the age of 30.
Willa Tellekson-Flash
Willa Tellekson-Flash (Steinhardt '18)
Occupation: Founder, Public
Category: Marketing & Advertising
The director of community at Public, an investing platform similar to Robinhood, Tellekson-Flash has overseen the rapid growth of the company's user base, which grew 13-fold in 2020. That growth earned Public $220 million in venture funding this year, boosting its valuation to $1.2 billion. Tellekson-Flash manages Public's user-facing financial education, engagement and platform moderation, creating a welcoming environment for its users, 45% of whom are BIPOC. Learn more about Willa.
Laura Katz
Laura Katz (Steinhardt '16)
Occupation: Founder, Helaina
Category: Food & Drink
Infant formula has seen little change in the past 40 years, despite being a $50 billion global market. While most faux breast milk contains processed ingredients, corn syrup and gums, Katz is using yeast and fermentation to rapidly produce milk that replicates the exact proteins found in actual human milk. "If we can be advancing alternative meat and alternative milk using technologies like precision fermentation, this category deserves that same innovation," says Katz, whose passion for food began at age 14, when she first entered Food Network competitions. The pre-revenue company raised $25 million in venture capital and is now aiming for the majority of parents who use formula. Learn more about Laura.
Victoria Caña
Victoria Caña (Steinhardt '16)
Occupation: Founder, Cat Quartet Games
Category: Games
Victoria Caña pulls double duty, serving as the lead producer on Riot Game's Legends of Runeterra digital card game and cofounding her own boutique studio called Cat Quartet Games, which is focused on uplifting marginalized creatives. One of the company's products, a board game named Gladius, raised $100,000 on Kickstarter and won multiple awards. While previously working at Wizards of the Coast, makers of Magic: The Gathering, she cofounded Wizards of Colors & Allies, an employee resource group for people of color. Learn more about Victoria.
Forbes Under 30 Hall of Fame
Emily Weiss
Emily Weiss (Steinhardt '07), founder of Glossier, was included in Forbes's 30 Under 30 2022 Alumni Hall of Fame.
From her magazine profile: "Back when Weiss appeared on the Forbes Under 30 list in 2014, Weiss was on the heels of founding the successful beauty blog Into the Gloss and she had just raised $2 million to launch direct-to-consumer beauty line Glossier. Now Glossier, which sells balms, makeup, skincare products and fragrances, has raised $266 million and is worth $1.8 billion. In November, the company also opened its first flagship store in Los Angeles."