Megan Green Received Young Alumni Award

Iowa State University honored Megan Green for her professional achievements at its 95th Annual Honors & Awards Ceremony.

Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Awards

Bold vector illustration of a stylized academic archway and a laurel leaf, symbolizing professional excellence. — Iowa State University honored Megan Green with its Outstanding Young Alumni Award, recognizing her professional leadership and career achievements. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

Iowa State University has awarded Megan Green the Outstanding Young Alumni Award. The recognition celebrates alumni aged 40 and younger who have distinguished themselves early in their careers.

Why it matters

This award highlights the accomplishments of young graduates who demonstrate leadership and excellence in their professional fields shortly after leaving the university.

The award recognizes alumni under the age of 40 who have achieved early career success. Recipients are selected based on professional achievements and contributions to their industries.

The players

Megan Green

She is a business professional and Iowa State University alumna who previously served as in-house counsel for State Farm.

Iowa State University

This public research university in Ames is the institution that grants the annual honors to its distinguished alumni.

State Farm Insurance Companies

This major insurance provider is where Green spent nine years of her legal career.

Caterpillar

This global manufacturer of construction and mining equipment divested its forestry business in a transaction led by Green.

The details

Megan Green, a graduate of the Ivy College of Business, completed her degree in just three years and spent nine years serving as in-house counsel for State Farm Insurance Companies. Notably, she led the 2019 acquisition of Caterpillar's forestry business and received recognition as one of the top 10 under 40 by Marion County Development in 2020.

In 2017, Megan Green moved back to Iowa.
In 2019, Green led the acquisition of Caterpillar's forestry business.
In 2020, Green was named to the Marion County Development top 10.
In 2021, the Outstanding Young Alumni Award was established.

Culture Shift

The recognition of young alumni mirrors the growing trend of universities emphasizing early-career impact rather than only lifetime achievement. This shift reflects a broader societal focus on acknowledging rapid professional growth in competitive business landscapes.

For residents in Ames and the broader Iowa State community, this award serves as a showcase of the talent fostered by the university. It may influence how local students and recent graduates view their own career trajectory and professional goal setting.

The takeaway

Recognizing early career achievements provides inspiration for current students navigating their own academic and professional paths. Highlighting these success stories helps establish a benchmark for leadership and community contribution among young professionals.