Our Leadership
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
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
Organization that actually pays you: Stites & Harbison
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 Singh
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).
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