Two Country Day Grads Make the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30 Lists

Michael Barton `13 and Alexandra Pohl `19 (known professionally as “Xandra”) have both been named to the 2025 Forbes 30 Under 30. This prestigious list showcases and celebrates the achievements of talented industry leaders under the age of 30.

Michael, who is listed in the finance category, graduated from the University of Pennsylvania and is currently the sector head at Coatue Management in New York City.

“How exciting for Michael to make this list; it’s a huge accomplishment,” says Dr. Jeanette Hecker, world languages teacher. “He was always an enthusiastic student with a lot of personality. He was engaged in the classroom and was a good student across the board. From an early age, he was interested in leadership roles, which was reflected in his service as student body president in his senior year. He was always driven to succeed.”

Faculty member Greg Faulhaber shares that sentiment.

“If he knew what he wanted, he went after it. If he had an idea, he ran with it. He was not afraid to take risks,” says Faulhaber, who also coached Michael in golf his senior year. “He was a strong player and was on a golf team that qualified for the state tournament. He was always OK stepping outside of his comfort zone for the sake of growth. Knowing Michael’s drive, I’m not surprised he’s on this list.”

Xandra, a “self-taught house DJ” who made her Lollapalooza debut this past August, is listed in the music category. According to Forbes, she has sold out nightclubs across the country and “has been seen jogging wheels on the DJ controller at the F1 Miami Grand Prix, the 2023 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Runway Show at Miami Swim Week (where she also walked the runway), and Spotify's Women in Music Event during Miami Music Week. She's shared stages with the likes of The Chainsmokers, Calvis Harris and Kygo.”

“As one of nine seniors on the school’s first-ever female state championship soccer team in 2018, she was a leader in her own right,” says Theresa “Hirsch” Hirschauer, head of Middle School and head soccer coach. “She brought a lot of spirit to the team. She was not only a tenacious defender but also a dedicated teammate.”

According to Forbes, to source candidates for the list the Forbes writers and editors comb through thousands of online submissions, as well as tap industry sources and list alumni for recommendations. Candidates are evaluated by Forbes staff and a panel of independent, expert judges on a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) funding, revenue, social impact, scale, inventiveness, and potential.

Other categories include AI, education, media, Hollywood & entertainment, marketing & advertising, healthcare, games, arts & style, retail & commerce, venture capital, science, social impact, energy & green tech, transportation & mobility, food & drink, and manufacturing & industry. For more information, visit Forbes 30 Under 30 List 2025 - Young Entrepreneurs and Business Leaders.