Four from HHP earn 40 Under Forty awards

Four graduates from the College of Health and Human Performance — Lily Faulconer (kinesiology), Timothy Brown (school and community health), Nate Evans (exercise and sports science) and Dr. Maria Jose Torres (bioenergetics and exercise science) — were selected among the East Carolina University 2026 class of 40 Under Forty honorees.

Hosted by the East Carolina University Alumni Association, the biannual 40 Under Forty Leadership Awards presented by ECU Health is a signature ECUAA program celebrating outstanding alumni under age 40.

The April 18 event is open to the public, with individual tickets and table sponsorships available, and brings together alumni, campus partners and community leaders to recognize the next generation of Pirate leadership.

Faulconer, ’17, ’18, earned her Master of Science in kinesiology. Faulconer, who was active an ECU student including in athletics and Student Government Association, practices law with Ward and Smith, P.A., focusing on advising clients in areas such as creditors’ rights and bankruptcy. She was a 2017 recipient of the Robert H. Wright Alumni Leadership Award and currently serves on the ECU Honors College advancement council. It was noted during nominations that Faulconer has a strong commitment to giving back to the communities she serves, and her recent recognition included as a 2023 Business North Carolina Trailblazer.

Brown, ’08, earned a Bachelor of Science in school and community health. Brown is a senior vice president for Aperitisoft, advising hospital systems across the country on strategy, culture and workforce development. Brown, known as an active advocate for youth development and health equity, has developed and taught courses in healthcare finance, HR management and quantitative analysis. It was highlighted during his nomination that he leads with humility, purpose and authenticity.

Evans, ’11, earned a Bachelor of Arts in exercise in sports science. As interim president at Gardner-Webb University, he helped secure GWU’s largest single gift in 25 years. This $1.85 million gift supports athletics, academics and campus living. He previously served ECU for 8 years in the roles of senior advancement officer, major gifts officer and admissions counselor. The nominator explained that Evans developed a plan to increase Gardner-Webb’s revenue and has provided steady and strategic leadership during a critical period of the institution’s transition.

Torres, ’16, earned her doctoral degree in bioenergetics and exercise science. At ECU, Torres’ dissertation revealed a novel non-genomic mechanism of estrogenic control of metabolism — now cited in textbooks. She has risen in healthcare to a current role as senior medical science liaison at Bayer Pharmaceuticals. She mentors international students and has earned national innovation awards for reframing women’s health to include neurological and autoimmune disease. The nominator simply described, “Her creativity knows no limits.”

Faulconer

Brown

Evans

Torres