Place of Employment: Sanford Health
Job Title: Nuclear Medicine Technologist
Month/Year You Started with Company: August 2016
Hometown: Lakeview, Michigan
Role in the YPN:Social Team Co-Lead

Why do you feel it is important to be part of the YPN?  
YP is a great networking community that helps bring together people from all sorts of backgrounds and careers. But besides just being a networking group, YP also does a lot to give back to the community from various service projects to selecting a local group to sponsor that has a huge impact on our community like Ministry on the Margins.

What professional advice do you have for other young professionals?
Don’t be afraid to take risks in your career. Always strive to be the best version of yourself.

How do you spend your free time?
I work a lot. I love the outdoors and spend as much time outside as I can, and I do various things with YP like playing on the volleyball team that YP sponsors and attending events.

What is your favorite quote?
“You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take. – Wayne Gretzky” – Michael Scott

Fun Fact(s)
I recently bought a kayak, and it has been one of my favorite purchases yet.

We’re so excited to introduce you to Karly Palczewski, our current E-Team Spotlight YPN member. In addition to being an active YPer, Karly runs KP Photography, a professional photography business she started when she was 16, and works full-time at First Western Bank & Trust in Bismarck.

Generous with her talents and time, she also volunteered to take our 2019 CINCO Anniversary Celebration photos which are S.T.U.N.N.I.N.G. Click here to check them out on our YPN Facebook page. 

Let’s learn more about Karly!

Name: Karly Palczewski

Age: 22

Hometown: Bowman, ND (Living in Bismarck now)

Education: Bachelor of Science – Marketing (University of Mary)

Name of Business: KP Photography – By: Karly Palczewski

Business Type (partnership, sole proprietorship, etc.): Sole Proprietorship

How did you get started?: In high school, I picked up my mom’s camera, put it in automatic mode, and took some photos for a family who wanted “one Christmas card photo.” One session turned in two, two turned into 10, and within a year, I had a Facebook page and a website. I never aspired to be a photographer, but when I realized there was a need in my community, I decided to go all in. Here I am 6 years later!

What I do every day: Monday through Friday, I work at First Western Bank & Trust as their Marketing and Graphic Design Specialist. My evenings and weekends are spent taking photos, editing, and working with my photography clients.

Successes (the best part): The best part of owning my own business is getting to meet new people and capturing memories that they can cherish forever.

It has also been super rewarding to say I started KP Photography at 16. Running a business through high school and college allowed me to apply my classroom knowledge in real life scenarios.

Challenges: Time management is my biggest challenge. Although I want to work with everyone who inquires with me, I do have to turn potential clients away to make sure I can have enough time for my marketing and photography work. 

Advice for other YPs: If you have a hobby or skill that you can capitalize on, do it! There is nothing more rewarding than using your talents on something you love.

This month, our Member Spotlight is on Denise Osmond, an active member of our Professional Development Team who consistently attends our Top 10 YPN Workplace Award presentations. 

Let’s take a few minutes to get to know Denise! 

Where are you originally from? Beach, ND

What is your occupation? Recruitment Manager for North Dakota Department of Transportation

Why do you feel it is important to be part of the YP Network? Being a part of the YP Network is important because of the lasting connections made through networking. These connections may help you open a new door for your career and share tips and tricks for your personal and professional growth. Through the YP Network you have an opportunity to meet people you may not have met. You are also provided with more opportunities to participate and volunteer in events you didn’t know were available. Being a member of YP Network is empowering.

Are you involved in other organizations in the community? I am a member of the Bismarck State College Career Development Advisory Board, Division chair for NDDOT United Way committee, American Legion Auxiliary member, involved in the PTO at Centennial Elementary and serve on the Mutual Ministry team at my church.

What professional advice do you have for other young professionals? Networking is so important. Making connections through your own employer and in the community will help you grow personally and professionally. Take the time to ask questions and learn from those in your network. Surround yourself with people who encourage your growth and want to see you succeed. Be innovative and voice your opinion. Take advantage of furthering your education with learning opportunities and/or a company tuition reimbursement program. Be efficient and provide excellent service by responding to emails and voicemails timely because everyone is busy and their time is valuable. Remember to always be professional and positive even in stressful times.

How do you spend your free time? I am married, have two boys, ages 7 and 2, and a 12-year old cocker spaniel. I enjoy spending time with my family playing, reading, photography, doing projects, camping, going for walks or bike rides, watching movies, traveling and making memories. I love to entertain, cook, bake, socialize and empower others. We enjoy remodeling our house and helping friends with their home projects. I also spend some of my free time helping my husband network with his electrical business.

What is your favorite quote? “There are no traffic jams along the extra mile.” -Roger Staubach

Fun Fact(s):

• I attended Dickinson State University on campus for the first semester of my college career and quickly realized I wanted to gain my experience and education at the same time. I began online courses in my second semester of college and found a full-time job. I attended full-time college and worked full-time for five years so I could double major in business administration & human resource management with a minor in management.
  
• I was nominated for the NDDOT Employee of the Year award after one year of service with NDDOT.
  
• I enjoy public speaking and hosting events.
  
• I am related to the ‘famous’ Osmond family through my husband.

We’re so glad you’re a YPN member, Denise! Thank you for all you do!

Bismarck, ND (May 28, 2019) – Members of the Bismarck-Mandan Young Professionals Network (YPN) elected First Community Credit Union’s (FCCU) Katie Nehl for YPN Vice President on Wednesday, May 8, at the network’s annual Cinco Anniversary Celebration.

Nehl has been a YPN member since 2016 and has served as a Marketing Team Co-Lead for the past two years. Additionally, she has been the Epic Impact PR Co-Chair for the past two years and helped plan the 2017 Young Professionals Day.

“We’re very excited to have Katie join our executive leadership team,” shared YPN President Katie Schiltz. “Her marketing and public relations background will help us further communicate the value we provide to young professionals in the community, garnering further support from businesses and enhancing our membership’s size.”

Nehl brings six years of marketing, communications, and public relations experience to the YPN’s Executive Team. She has been FCCU’s communications manager since October 2018, ensuring all internal and external communications align with the credit union’s brand and strategic initiatives. Prior to joining FCCU, she was the chief officer of member engagement for the Credit Union Association of the Dakotas (CUAD), driving advocacy and awareness for all North Dakota and South Dakota credit unions.

The YPN Executive Team is comprised of a vice president Katie Nehl, FCCU Communications Manager; president Katie Schiltz, Target ETL-Specialty Sales; chair Jillian Lagasse, Capital Credit Union Vice President of Marketing; and treasurer Melinda Weninger, Basic Electric Power Cooperative Accounting Analyst.

“I’m so honored to be elected as the YPN’s next vice president,” shared Nehl. “I’m ready to hit the ground running with the development of a new awareness campaign to help us broaden our membership base and make an even greater impact on the Bismarck-Mandan community.”

Nehl will serve as YPN Vice President for one year. She will transition into the role of YPN President for one year following the election of a new vice president at the 2020 Cinco Anniversary Celebration, and then finish out her term as YPN Chair for one year.