How has being in the YPN impacted you personally and professionally?

The YPN has provided a platform to further connect with the community and provides an opportunity to become more deeply engaged both personally and professionally. It has also opened up new contacts, friendships outside of work, and a great opportunity to network with other professionals, and partner and community leaders. In meeting many new individuals, it has offered the opportunity to learn from other peers and watch their leadership styles, which in turn has helped develop into more leadership opportunities. I have worked on many projects and initiatives through being involved in YPN that has strengthened my leadership abilities. Those projects include the YPN Top Places to Work, Epic Impact Committee, First Thursday Social, New Member Breakfast and many more! The YPN has opened many doors for me to network with CEO’s from a variety of companies and individuals that I would not have the opportunity to connect with.

How can the YPN progress to add more value to its members?

I think before we look at adding new programs and assuming what value is we need to ask ourselves – what is it that members are wanting? That is why I think the New Member Breakfast is a critical first step for new members. It is a great opportunity for the Leadership Team and the Ambassador Team to further engage new members and to learn from them on what they are looking to get out of the YPN. Everyone is looking for something different – which is why the YPN is great! I think if we can continue to strengthen our welcoming process of new members – we will go far. One suggestion would be for the Ambassador Team to take a more active role in personally inviting new members to events. I remember when I first joined the network, it was overwhelming! Their are multiple teams that you have the opportunity to join while being in a brand new community. Luckily, I had a friend join at the same time and we were both welcomed by current members that helped ease the transition. I also think it is important that the Leadership Team considers surveying our members and also look at what is working and what is not before going into Strategic Planning this summer. We have seen increased business partners signing on to sponsor the YPN and that is telling of the great success that we have had in the past. Overall, once members are engaged in our work and committed to servant leadership our YPN grows as well.

How has being in the YPN impacted you personally and professionally?

As an organization that provides opportunities for young professionals to meet other young professionals, the Young Professionals Network thrives. After all, the YPN is, first and foremost, a network. We recognize that the most important thing someone can do in order to get involved with their community, either professionally or socially, is meet people, and we work hard to make sure that opportunities abound for that to happen. The Young Professionals network has been integral in my professional development in Bismarck and Mandan, while also being the foundation of my personal/social life here in town. At team meetings I create and solidify my relationships with other Young Professionals, and those relationships blossom into the various aspects of my personal network. I have met both best friends and important business contacts through our Network, and I’ve had fun doing it. But we can do more!

How can the YPN progress to add more value to its members?

The fastest growing demographic in Bismarck and Mandan is young people. We are crucial to the future success of our community, and we offer a valuable perspective to issues facing our home. As the premier Young Professional’s organization for our community, we should be getting involved with the decisions that our community makes. We should be ensuring that Bismarck-Mandan continues to become the best place to start a career, start a family, and live a happy life. We should be fostering our community so that more young professionals are drawn to it every year. We should be embracing our community partners and our local governments and making sure our needs are factored into the decisions that will shape our state. We should be getting involved with the boards and coalitions that shape the conversations and mold the priorities here in town. In short, we should be making sure our voices are heard.

We have worked for years to become the incredible resource to young people that we are today; let’s continue down that path. Instead of simply ensuring there are opportunities for young people to connect, let’s plug young people in. Let’s get involved with our community and make sure that the interests and the needs of young professionals are addressed. As VP of this network, I would work to make sure we become the entity which represents the young, driven, future-shapers in this community. We represent the future of Bismarck and Mandan… Let’s build it together.