Our Leadership

YPAL is a membership-based organization governed by a volunteer board of directors. It is through volunteer committee involvement and leadership opportunities that YPAL members can make the most of their experience and develop themselves professionally. Because YPAL is mostly volunteer, the organization also relies on strategic partnerships with the business community.

YPAL Board of Directors

Rudy Ellis

President

Organization that actually pays you: Dinsmore & Shohl LLP.
YPAL event you can’t miss: YP Day at the Capitol!
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Run, cheer on the Cards/ Hoosiers, and hang out with my forever fiancée Kristina.
One thing you love about Louisville: I love the local parks system here. The city’s done a great job creating both beautiful urban parks, as well as the protected parklands area on the edge of Jefferson County.
#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL because I wanted an opportunity to work with like-minded and driven young professionals.
Something interesting about you: I’m allergic to horses. Yes, I know, it’s very inconvenient for living in Kentucky.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: There are few issues more contentious than this one in today’s society. A sandwich is defined as “two or more slices of bread or a split roll having a filling in between.” Alternatively, a sandwich may also consist of “one slice of bread covered with food.” Since a hotdog is a piece of meat affixed between one continuous bun (or two buns if you’re an amateur), a hot dog is, by definition, a sandwich.

Cassidy Hyde

President-Elect

Organization that actually pays you: Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana

YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL101- DUH! Love introducing people to our mission!

One thing you love about Louisville: The passion! So many people are motivated by being a part of something bigger than themselves

#WhyIYPAL: I YPAL to surround myself with incredibly diverse people who have a similar drive and goals and to maximize our impact as Young Professionals. I YPAL to make Louisville a better place!

Nathan Shanks

Immediate Past President

Organization that actually pays you: Logan Lavelle Hunt

YPAL event you can’t miss: YP Day at the Capital

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Play golf or travel

One thing you love about Louisville: I love our food/restaurant scene.

#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL to grow my network, and for the professional development. The relationships I’ve made through YPAL have been a game changer for my career. There is no better way for young professionals to be involved in our community.

Patrick Wilson

Treasurer

Organization that actually pays you: MCM CPAs & Advisors LLP
YPAL event you can’t miss: Excelerate and the New Behind the Scenes Series
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Anything U of L sports, volleyball (playing, coaching or spectating) and time with friends/family
One thing you love about Louisville: There is always something to do and the local food scene
#WhyIYPAL: YPAL gives me the opportunity to network and develop relationships with individuals in various fields and at various stages of their career. It is a truly diverse organization with driven and passionate individuals. I am also always excited to see new venues in Louisville.
Something interesting about you: I have never had a coke (of any kind) in my life aside from the accidental drink from the wrong glass.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: Based on my understanding of a sandwich, yes, a hot dog is a sandwich.

John Weber

Secretary

YPAL event you can’t miss: Any behind the scenes tour – you get access to a cool, exclusive spot around the city!
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Trying something new – whether that be a place to travel, a new restaurant, or an experience (my most recent was kiteboarding). Oh, and everything UofL sports related!
One thing you love about Louisville: Its food and drink scene
#WhyIYPAL: I love meeting new people and learning about different facets of our community
Something interesting about you: I’m an internationally-certified SCUBA diver
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: While I would say a hotdog is obviously not a sandwich, my legal training requires that I overthink the question. I’ll respect the precedent set by Commissioner Quarles (when we actually asked him this question during a YPAL event) and conclude that it is, in fact a sandwich.

Betsy Oyler Appleton

VP of Public Relations

Organization that actually pays you: Confluent Health
YPAL event you can’t miss: Lunch for 11
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Running Trails in Cherokee Park followed by a Margarita at El Mundo
One thing you love about Louisville: This city has something for everyone! From music, food, festivals, art, to civic-involvement and an entrepreneurial flavor, you’ll never be bored!
#WhyIYPAL: YPAL made returning home to Louisville easy. I’m growing my network, making new friends and contacts, and have access to interesting events.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: This is a blasphemous question. A hotdog categorically deserves respect and recognition as an independent food group.

Dexter K. Horne

VP of Community

Organization that actually pays you: Louisville Public Media
YPAL event you can’t miss: Coffee with the Candidates!
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Read a good book. Or have a kitchen dance party.
One thing you love about Louisville: The people…most of ’em anyway. JK, everybody love everybody.
#WhyIYPAL: I trust my peers, and I believe that our cohort is powerful when we’re working together.
Something interesting about you: I used to like orange juice too much. We’re talking 5-6 cups a day. Plus pop-tarts.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: I’m not sure what a hotdog is? I never saw that documentary.

Sarah Perry

VP of Programming

Organization that actually pays you: Home of the Innocents
YPAL event you can’t miss: Excelerate Workshops and YP Unite Summit
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Prepare for Baby Perry and being an employed mom!
One thing you love about Louisville: All of its diverse, interconnected communities!
#WhyIYPAL: I have so many reasons for why I YPAL that I can give a different yet equally honest answer to this question every time. Trying to sum it all up into one major theme, I YPAL because I love meeting and learning about people, communities, businesses, organizations, topics, and trends and how they all contribute to the overall Louisville scene.
Something interesting about you: I worked in Japan from 2010-2014. Yamaguchi Prefecture is as much home to me as Louisville and Owensboro, Kentucky!
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: Yes. Hotdogs are a special category within the overarching umbrella of sandwiches.

Michelle Clay

VP of Engagement

Organization that actually pays you: Humana
YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL 101
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): binge a new TV show
One thing you love about Louisville: I love that you can find a connection with just about anyone in the city through a short conversation.
#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL to meet new people and learn from their expertise and life experiences. It’s easy to get lost in the bubble of your day-to-day, but YPAL helps connect people from different backgrounds, professions, etc.
Something interesting about you?: I do modern calligraphy for a side hustle.
Is a hotdog a sandwich? Nah

Eiman Zuberi

Director of Communications

Organization that actually pays you: Louisville City FC
YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 Networking and Quarterly Lunch!
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): I love going to old favorites and finding new restaurants with my friends. I also love driving on River Road and spending time at the beautiful new Lynn Family Stadium.
One thing you love about Louisville: I love how it has both a city feel, with downtown and NULU but you can also go to the farms and enjoy the “countryside” Louisville has to offer.
#WhyIYPAL: YPAL has shown me a community within Louisville consisting of some of the kindest, most hardworking individuals I have ever met. It’s great to meet people who share the same passion about Louisville as you do.
Something interesting about you: I got to attend Super Bowl LII in Minneapolis and I am never going back to Minnesota in the winter.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: What, no? Who even thinks that?

Sam Draut

Director of Social Media

Organization that actually pays you: Landmark Community Newspapers, Inc.
YPAL event you can’t miss: If you attend all the events, you won’t miss any.
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Work. #NoDaysOff…seriously I flip through Yellow Page phone books on days that I don’t work. Hobby suggestions are welcomed.
One thing you love about Louisville: The commitment and passion of the community to help Louisville improve as a city in a multitude of ways. The citizens in Louisville have so much pride and loyalty to the city.
#WhyIYPAL: To improve the lives of the people in the Louisville. I believe YPAL is an organization that not only benefits young professionals, but also works to help people around the entire community.
Something interesting about you: I published my first novel in 2019 titled “The Destruction of a Psychopath by an American Beauty”. The printed version and the eBook edition is available online.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: No.

Jay Brown

Director of Technology

Organization that actually pays you: Smart Data
YPAL event you can’t miss: YP Unite Summit
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Golf
One thing you love about Louisville: 15 minutes to the city, 15 minutes to the country.
#WhyIYPAL: To connect with people that can help me grow and learn at both a personal and professional level.
Something interesting about you: I love to cook.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: A hotdog is a taco.

Kelci N. Webb

Director of Community Outreach

Organization that actually pays you: Southeast Christian Church
YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 Networking
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Hit up a Cyclebar class
One thing you love about Louisville: All of the yummy food options
#WhyIYPAL: I love engaging with my local community, meeting like-minded young professionals, and getting to see cool new venues.
Something interesting about you: I love eating cheetos with sour cream as a snack
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: Hotdogs are NOT sandwiches!!

Lena Muldoon

Director of Public Issues

Organization that actually pays you: Louisville Forward (Louisville Metro Government)
YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL101 was awesome. It immediately captivated me and made me feel welcome and excited about joining. I can’t wait to be on the other side welcoming new members!
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Hiking, spending time with my nieces, and planning trips (not to mention actually going on those trips)
One thing you love about Louisville: The quirks that only Louisvillians understand, that also make it so impactful and compelling to outsiders
#WhyIYPAL: The passion that I feel during and after events is why I YPAL. That’s enough to make me know that it’s more than just networking or about titles or resumes – it’s passion for our city and our potential, both personally and at a larger scale. We’re moving towards something better and greater because we all believe in it, and that feels really amazing. Also everyone is interesting and hilarious, which is a great bonus.
Something interesting about you: I lived and traveled between the USA and South America for 7 years! My best souvenir is my husband, who is Argentine.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: By definition, yes. I feel no fervor for this debate, but I so admire those that do.

Leah Kelly

Director of Professional Development

Organization that actually pays you: Brown-Forman
YPAL event you can’t miss: Excelerate Workshops!
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Exploring and trying new things with family and friends
One thing you love about Louisville: The people, for sure!
#WhyIYPAL: To connect and grow alongside other young professionals in Louisville
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: I could see and empathize with the arguments for and against, personally, I don’t have strong feelings either way. I do prefer my hotdogs burnt on the grill with ketchup, mustard, and in the right circumstances-I may put baked beans on top.

Woo Smith

Director of Leadership

Organization that actually pays you: Terracon Consultants, Inc.
YPAL event you can’t miss: ELP!!! Does that count?
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Eat dessert – I’ve got a huge sweet tooth.
One thing you love about Louisville: This city enables young professionals to make an impact on our community – that’s rare!
#WhyIYPAL: To engage, connect, and develop alongside the future leaders of this community.
Something interesting about you: I compete in powerlifting!
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: It is better than a sandwich.

Chris Redd

Director of Diversity & Inclusion

Organization that actually pays you: Baptist Health
YPAL event you can’t miss: 548, the Behind the scenes virtually event has become a new favorite.
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Golf
One thing you love about Louisville: bourbon definitely the bourbon lol
#WhyIYPAL: to connect with great people and build lasting relationships while working to improve the community in anyway that I can
Something interesting about you: I was born in leap year
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: sure lol. Not something I’m choosing to eat either way.

Kulwant Signh

Director of Recruitment

Organization that actually pays you: Farm Credit Mid America
YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL 101. I love meeting young professionals new in our city and educating them on how awesome YPAL is.
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Volunteering at local events/nonprofit, community theatre, dancing, camping and spending time on the lake with family.
One thing you love about Louisville: There are so many things but one thing I love and am proud of is that we are a very diverse and welcoming city with opportunities for everyone.
#WhyIYPAL: To grow professionally and to help others grow in whatever way they can.
Something interesting about you: I can do Bhangra (traditional dance) to any song in any language. Challenge me 😛
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: Depends how you eat. with bread- yes, without bread no. 🙂

Michael Clemons

Director of Membership

Organization that actually pays you: I own my own business, the Louisville Running Company. I also work part-time as a fitness instructor at Shred415.
YPAL event you can’t miss: YP Day at the Capitol
Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Run! I’ve run 17 marathons and counting, and use running as a time to catch up on my podcasts and connect with my city. I try to run at least six days a week to stay healthy and sane.
One thing you love about Louisville: All the food. I have a major sweet tooth, and we have some of the best donuts, ice cream, cakes, and cookies around. So many amazing restaurants and bakeries to choose from.
#WhyIYPAL: YPAL not only helps connect me with other young professionals in our community, but allows me a way to grow as an individual as I continue on my entrepreneurial journey.
Something interesting about you: While I work In sporting event management, my undergrad major was Spanish. I lived in Spain for a year between undergrad and grad school, and got to the point where I was fluent in the Spanish language. It’s been a loooong time since then, so speak Spanish with me and help me hone my language skills.
Is a hotdog a sandwich?: No, a hot dog is not a sandwich. It’s a hot dog. And it’s gross (seriously, look up the ingredients of a hot dog if you want to. Or don’t, because it will gross you out).