2026 40 Under 40: Nathan Doss

For six years, Nathan Doss lived alongside students at Barnabas Prep to better understand their world, gaining a deep understanding that people with disabilities are not defined by their limitations but by their gifts, strengths and humanity.

Doss, 29, now director of Barnabas Prep, leads the program with the goal of building community and helping others discover their worth.

“What motivates me today is watching individuals who are often underestimated discover their worth, their voice and their place in the world,” he says.

As director, Doss says he prioritizes clear communication, follow-through and leading with heart. He says that approach is paying off, as admission is at full capacity for the next school year and additional housing is being built.

Doss, who was adopted from South Korea, says he was born with webbed fingers and underwent multiple surgeries to gain the full use of his hands. He says he knows “what it feels like to be different, and I believe everyone deserves the opportunity to be seen, valued and empowered to live a full and meaningful life.”