2008 40 Under 40 Honoree: Kesha Quigg

Either way, Quigg goes for the gusto, whether she’s tackling huge responsibility at work, mentoring younger people or running marathons.

The Springfield native and graduate of Missouri State University was promoted twice during her three years with Noble & Associates.

“I was required to motivate and direct creative colleagues that had been in the profession for multiple years more than I,” Quigg says.

She was recruited to Askinosie Chocolate, which specializes in single-source, premium dark chocolate, by founder Shawn Askinosie. Since joining the startup in September 2007, Quigg has tripled sales revenue on Askinosie’s core product line and increased the number of stores that sell its chocolate from 21 locations to 77 locations in 22 states.

In high school, she began her association with Young Life, a nondenominational, international organization that builds relationships with high school students and mentors them in their Christian beliefs.

After working with Young Life in Springfield, she was approached to be part of a team to develop the organization in Nixa.

“I tend to be a workaholic. This has been an outlet for me,” Quigg says of Young Life. “For me, life is more … (than) my job or how much chocolate I sell, but it’s hard to keep in perspective."

Quigg strives for balance, both by working with Young Life and running marathons. She ran her first race, the St. Louis marathon, in April 2006. Quigg then set her sights on the Chicago marathon and decided to run for a cause, raising $1,500 for the nonproft American Liver Foundation.

“For me, it was just doing something with more purpose than just running a marathon,” she says. “It was awesome. It was one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. I can’t wait to do it again.”

Quigg is familiar with perseverance. In May 2007, she broke her back in an adventure race. “I think the biggest thing I learned is I can pretty much overcome anything,” she says. “I’m very lucky to have the body I have and the talents God gave me, and that could change at any time so I need to treat my life as precious.”

Double Play

Birth date: Sept. 18, 1981

Family: I have a wonderful family, which includes my parents, Bob and Linda, older brother Scott, and sister Kelly. I (got) married on April 19 to an incredible man, Charlie Alexander.

Philosophy to live/work by: What matters in life is my relationships with my friends, family and God.

In a fantasy world, which professional sport would you play? I would be a professional runner, and I would be sponsored by Brooks. I love their shoes.

Information accurate at the time of the honor.