First round of 2015 40 Under 40 winners named (Photos)

The Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal announced the first round of its 2015 40 Under 40 honorees Wednesday, a list that includes young business and community leaders from throughout the Twin Cities.

Business Journal editors evaluated a record number of nominations — 600 this year, though a few nominees got multiple nominations — and choose 40 people under the age of 40 who have already established themselves as leaders in their industries and the community.

For the rest of the week, we'll be announcing a baker's dozen or so of honorees each day. The first group received their notifications Tuesday, and you can see some of their reactions in the accompanying photo gallery. Another group received their notifications today, and they'll be publicly unveiled tomorrow.

RELATED: Honorees, Day 2

RELATED: Honorees, Day 3

Here's the first batch of winners, in no particular order:

• Alexis Walsko, Lola Red
• Jill Prevost, Gravie
• Jennifer Sorenson, Art Institutes International
• John Stern, U.S. Bancorp
• Maggie Tatton, Lindquist & Vennum
• Mike Ryan, Ryan Cos.
• Rachel Zimmerman, Merchant & Gould
• Deniz Cultu, McKinsey & Co.
• Anne Bjerken, Gray Plant Mooty
• Dan Mandle, Colle + McVoy
• Erin Mathern, Winthrop & Weinstine
• Brandon Megal, CBRE
• Jamie Millard, Pollen
• Leigh-Erin Irons, Fredrikson & Byron

RELATED: 40 Under 40 alumni database

RELATED: Scenes from the 2014 40 Under 40 Awards reception

And if you want to meet them face-to-face, you'll have a chance: Our annual 40 Under 40 reception is open to the public this year at the Aria Event Center in Minneapolis March 5. Go here to find out more and register.