Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) has recognized five outstanding graduates from the School of Business as part of its 40 Under Forty program, which celebrates young alumni who demonstrate strong leadership, career success and meaningful contributions to their communities.
The LMU 40 Under Forty program recognizes alumni under the age of 40 who are making an impact in their professions and communities. Honorees are selected based on professional achievement, leadership ability, service and the positive influence they bring to their organizations and industries. The recognition also reflects each recipient’s continued connection to LMU and their reputation as leaders in their field.
The program highlights the real-world impact of an LMU education while strengthening alumni engagement and connection across the University community. By sharing their success, LMU aims to inspire current students and encourage young alumni to stay involved and invested in the University’s future.
“LMU’s 40 Under Forty program is a powerful reminder of what our alumni go on to do after they leave our campus,” said Dr. Frank Woodward, Vice President for University Advancement. “These individuals are building meaningful careers, leading with integrity, and making a real difference in the lives of others. What makes this recognition especially meaningful is the connection they continue to have with LMU and the role they play in inspiring the next generation of students.”
Honorees from the LMU-School of Business represent a range of industries and leadership roles, demonstrating the breadth and strength of LMU’s academic programs. Their work reflects a commitment to excellence, service and continued growth after graduation.
The following School of Business alumni have been named to LMU’s 40 Under Forty class of 2026. Their accomplishments highlight the lasting impact of an LMU education, as each continues to lead, innovate and give back in ways that strengthen their professions, communities and the University they call home. Their continued success and connection to LMU reflect a strong and engaged alumni community that supports future generations of students.
Raphael Martins De Moura Baeta, BBA, Marketing ‘18
Raphael Martins De Moura Baeta serves as operations manager at Express Employment Professionals, where he leads a high-performing team with a focus on strong financial outcomes while building and maintaining relationships with local businesses to connect job seekers with meaningful employment opportunities. He is actively engaged in the community, serving on the boards of the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce and CASA of Campbell County. Baeta is a graduate of the Express Leadership Academy and holds a Business Management Certification. A multilingual professional, he speaks Portuguese natively, is fluent in English, and has intermediate proficiency in Spanish. In 2023, he was named Young Professional of the Year by the Campbell County Chamber of Commerce in recognition of his professional achievements and community impact.
Dr. Lindsay Haywood, BBA, Professional Golf Management ’15, MBA, Business Administration ’16, DBA, Sport Management ‘19
Dr. Lindsay Haywood, a three-time graduate of Lincoln Memorial University’s School of Business, serves as LMU’s assistant vice president for enrollment and brings more than 11 years of experience in student recruitment, enrollment strategy, and student success initiatives. In her current role, she has led the implementation of TargetX and Salesforce data reporting systems to provide real-time insights into enrollment and applicant pools, supporting more strategic and data-informed decision-making. She has also guided the growth of the enrollment team to strengthen the student experience and enrollment pipeline, including oversight of orientation and transition programs, community college partnerships, veteran affairs, and dedicated recruiters for the Caylor School of Nursing. Haywood is an active post-secondary partner with The 865 Academies, supporting career readiness and strengthening connections between education and workforce development. Her career achievements include receiving the Dr. R. Martin Peters Young Alumni Excellence Award in 2023 for her professional accomplishments and service to the university, serving as a director on the LMU Alumni Board, and induction into the LMU Athletic Hall of Fame in 2022, where she also serves on its governing board.
Mackenly Jones, MBA, General Business ‘24
Mackenly Jones is a senior software engineer, technology consultant, and entrepreneur whose work spans enterprise engineering, client advisory services, and community mentorship. In his role within the defense industry, he develops innovative software solutions that support complex mission requirements and national security initiatives, while also leading Tricities Media Group, a consultancy that helps organizations shape their technology and data strategy through software development, analytics, and digital transformation. He is recognized as a community-minded technology leader who builds a strong public technical presence through conference speaking, blogging, and education efforts. Jones is equally committed to workforce development, serving as a judge for high school app competitions across Tennessee and mentoring emerging technology graduates as they begin their careers.
Bryan Maner, MBA, General Business ’18
Bryan Maner serves as associate manager of STEM workforce development at the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education, where he advances initiatives that support the next generation of scientists, engineers, and research professionals at the federal level. He earned his Master of Business Administration from LMU and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration, with plans to graduate in December. In his role, he works to expand access to meaningful research and educational opportunities for students and recent graduates, helping strengthen and broaden participation in the future STEM workforce. Maner remains actively engaged in the professional community as a member of the National Association of Colleges and Employers, the National Postdoctoral Association, and the Project Management Institute. He holds a Bachelor of Science in interdisciplinary studies with concentrations in business management and psychology from Tennessee Technological University, as well as an Associate of Science from Pellissippi State Community College.
Dr. Jenae Matikke, MBA, General Business ’20, Ph.D., Management ‘26
Dr. Jenae Matikke, a two-time graduate of Lincoln Memorial University’s School of Business, serves as assistant professor of business and leadership at Johnson University, where she develops and teaches curriculum for both on-ground and online courses. In addition to her academic role, she is the owner and operator of Love Language Services, where she uses her Spanish proficiency to instruct and tutor learners, conduct interviews, and translate documents. Matikke brings more than 17 years of organizational leadership experience and is recognized as a dynamic public speaker and spoken-word artist who has performed nationally and internationally. She is deeply committed to community service and cultural engagement, serving on boards and contributing to communities around the world. Her recent honors include Best in Track for Student Research at Lincoln Memorial University’s 2025 Advances in Business Education Conference, selection to the 2025 Apex Leadership Initiative inaugural cohort, and recognition as a 2024 LMU Snyder Whitaker Endowed Scholarship recipient.
LMU is proud to recognize these alumni whose achievements continue to strengthen their communities and elevate the University’s legacy. Their ongoing connection to LMU reflects a shared commitment to opportunity, service and student success. The University looks forward to celebrating their continued impact and engaging them in shaping the future of LMU.
To learn more about the LMU 40 Under Forty program and view the full list of honorees, visit https://www.lmunet.edu/giving/40-under-forty-honorees
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.
