Lynn Cunningham-Ryan

Mortgage consultant, JPMorgan Chase Bank

Age: 39

Community involvement: Tucson Centers for Women and Children, former chair; United Way Young Leaders Society, co-chair

First paying job: McDonald's, and I moved up to assistant manager. Received a lot of great training but never attended Hamburger University!

Best advice you've received: Don't let your career define you.

You attribute your success to: My outgoing, competitive personality . . . I will not fail at anything I do.

A word from the nominator: "Lynn takes each day and makes it count, and everyone needs a friend like her . . . Her ability to see the potential in people is her best skill. I have seen countless people make huge life changes because of Lynn's influence." - Julie Wolfe Beadle, director, leadership giving, United Way of Tucson and Southern Arizona and 2007 40 Under 40 winner