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

Aimee Jewell

President

Organization that actually pays you: University of Louisville (GO CARDS!)

YPAL event you can’t miss: Our Engage Series is my favorite! Being an informed citizen is vital, and we try to ensure that the Engage Series connects people with the important issues in Louisville and lets them know how to get involved.

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Going to a live show at the Louisville Palace or Mercury Ballroom

One thing you love about Louisville: It’s big enough to stay interesting and small enough to make an impact

#WhyIYPAL: To meet new people, engage with my local community, and attend unique events. YPAL was always inviting the coolest movers-and-shakers in the city to the table to talk about the most relevant issues, and I wanted to be involved. This is my sixth year being involved and I’m still learning new things, meeting new people, and visiting new places, so it’s paid off tremendously in my book!

Nathan Shanks

President-Elect

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. There are so many options in Louisville.

#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. I would urge anyone trying to grow professionally or personally to get involved.

Drew Eckman

Immediate Past President

Organization that actually pays you: Frost Brown Todd

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Fantasy football

One think you love about Louisville: I love the food, the people and the Louisville Cardinals

#WhyIYPAL: I built a deep network of young professionals and developed leadership skills

Wesley Vance

Treasurer

Organization that actually pays you: MCM

YPAL event you can’t miss: Quarterly Lunches

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Golf

One think you love about Louisville: Derby

Kellie Money

Secretary

Organization that actually pays you: Frost Brown Todd LLC

YPAL event you can’t miss: Coffee with the Candidate Series

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Trying new restaurants!

One thing you love about Louisville: Its thriving local businesses and neighborhoods

#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL after graduating from law school. Even though I grew up in Louisville and attended the Brandeis School of Law, I wanted a better way to connect with Louisville’s young professional community. YPAL has given me so many opportunities to engage with other young professionals and to develop my own professional skills through networking events, Excelerate Workshops and now service on YPAL’s Board of Directors

Sally George

Vice President of Public Relations

Organization that actually pays you: Doe-Anderson

YPAL event you can’t miss: Quarterly Lunch- all the yummy food

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): 502 Fit Pass

One think you love about Louisville: All the great places to eat

#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL so I could get reconnected in Louisville after moving back home from Dallas. It is easy to get caught up in your own field, so it is wonderful to branch out of that niche and network with people your own age from a variety of industries. Plus- free food, fun venues, and networking with interesting people I’d hang out with on the regular.

Jenna Haugen

VP of Community

Organization that actually pays you: University of Louisville

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

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Travel! I promised myself early in college that if I got the chance to travel, I would make every effort to do so.

One think you love about Louisville: The people and how welcoming they are!

#WhyIYPAL: The professional network. When the leadership of Louisville whats to know what the “young people” want, they come to us. I YPAL for the opportunity to connect with leaders in our community. Whether I get to sit down for coffee with the President of Volunteers of America Mid-States, my mentor and friend Jennifer Hancock, or chat with C-Suite executives, many of whom sit on our Advisory Council, YPAL affords me the opportunity to pick the brains of the best and brightest Louisville has to offer. Not only that, but I get to surround myself with the future leaders of this community. I know one of my YPAL peers will be a future Louisville Mayor, C-Suite executive, or the next great community organizer.

Rudy Ellis

VP of Programming

Organization that actually pays you: Goldberg Simpson

YPAL event you can’t miss: Excelerate

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Watch UofL, IU and other awesome sports teams

One think you love about Louisville: The Parks System

#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL because I wanted an opportunity to work with like-minded and driven young professionals. All too often, our generation is stereotyped as apathetic and selfish, but I have seen how YPAL actively dispels those labels and provides an outlet to work with other motivated individuals

Gary Spence

VP of Engagement

Organization that actually pays you: Republic Bank

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 Networking

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): UofL sporting events and traveling

One think you love about Louisville: Small town feel in a big city

#WhyIYPAL: Being a member of YPAL has been an incredible experience, but having the opportunity to join the board has taken that experience to the next level! The opportunity to work alongside some amazing board members as well as interact with community leaders has been invaluable. Being on the board of YPAL has made me a better employee for my company today and the skills I have learned will benefit me throughout my career.

Kristina Johns

Director of Communications

Organization that actually pays you: Doe Anderson

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 or YPAL

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Hang out with my grandma

One think you love about Louisville: the friendly people

#WhyIYPAL: I wanted to network and I also love free food and drinks.

Jay Brown

Director of Technology

Organization that actually pays you: Smart Data

YPAL event you can’t miss: Day at the Capitol

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Fantasy Sports

One think you love about Louisville: Diversity

Mandy Jackson

Director of Community Outreach

Organization that actually pays you: Guardian Owl Digital Boutique

YPAL event you can’t miss: Community connections

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Walking in Beckley Creek Park

One think you love about Louisville: Diversity in people and events

#WhyIYPAL: To be honest, I first joined YPAL because I needed to get out of my comfort zone and do some good old-fashioned networking. When I first joined I didn’t fully understand all that a networking group could offer so I was a bit of a “floater” for the first six months or so. Once I made the decision to put more into the organization I realized how happy I was to find a group of young professionals that could relate to my professional experiences! Over time YPAL has given me many opportunities for connections, growth, education and fun that I doubt I could get from any other network. With the not so gentle encouragement of a peer I made the decision to join YPAL’s board of directors and am blessed to now be a face of YPAL and leader in the young professional community of Louisville.

Emma Gimbel

Director of Entertainment

Organization that actually pays you: ADP

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 Networking

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Orange Theory, Fall Festivals and Churchill Downs

One think you love about Louisville: Horse Racing

#WhyIYPAL: There are several reasons why I joined YPAL. First, I wanted to be more involved in the community and be apart of a professional group in general. Second, I just loved the 5:48 networking events, it was a new way for me to get my name out there and meet other young professionals. I struggled to find what it is I liked to do career wise and just talking to younger people who were in the same situation or had figured it out, helped me notice that everyone is constantly developing and working on career paths and encouraged me to start developing my own career path. It helped me to just chat with others to see what and where other young professionals were in their careers at my same age. Lastly, I wanted to develop other skills that I wasn’t sure if I would be good at. YPAL provided me an opportunity to develop other skills through their different programs such as their series events and their Emerging Leaders Program without being assessed by my boss or critiqued by someone I worked with. Its a space for me to grow and develop professionally and meet some really cool people along the way! I joined to be involved, volunteer, help make decisions within the community, develop new skills and get to know others who are working towards similar goals!

Hunter T Ellington

Director of Public Issues

Organization that actually pays you: Fifth Third Private Bank

YPAL event you can’t miss: What do you mean? I haven’t missed one yet!

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Random unplanned weekend trip with my wife, 2 year old daughter and 2 labs

One think you love about Louisville: we are not so secretly one of the best foodie cities in the U.S

#WhyIYPAL: A very small, simple reason… to change the world! But seriously, once I learned YPAL was more than just a networking event (yes, I thought that once too) and how connected the organization was in the city of Louisville, I knew it was an organization I wanted, and needed, to be a part of. I love how YPALs mission is to Connect, Engage and Develop young professionals and the statement could not be more accurate. I have had the opportunity to connect with other young professionals, I have become more engaged with local community leaders, and I have developed both personally and professionally. No matter your industry, your background or your personal and professional goals, there is something for everyone at YPAL.

Sarah Humphrey

Director of Professional Development

Organization that actually pays you: Home of the Innocents

YPAL event you can’t miss: Excelerate & 5:48

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Spend time with my family and friends

One think you love about Louisville: Craft beer- there is always something new!

#WhyIYPAL: I love cheering on my fellow YPs, celebrating their successes and all of their learning opportunities along the way. I initially joined YPAL because my employer had partnered with YPAL as an event sponsor, and in return received 5 one-year YPAL memberships. Past Sarah figured, “If I can get a free membership, then I have nothing to lose but a little bit of time. Three years later, YPAL has become my top platform for reaching my professional goals: connect with other young professionals and make new friends across various industries. Learn how to present myself and be more comfortable with networking. Grow my skills through professional development opportunities. Develop my understanding and awareness of organizations and businesses in Louisville, southern Indiana, and our region. Engage comprehensively with people, ideas, public issues, programs, strategies, brands, and more. All while visiting some of the best (and most affordable) restaurants and breweries in town.

Laura Nunnelley

Director of Leadership

Organization that actually pays you: University of Louisville

YPAL event you can’t miss: ELP Summit and YPAL101

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Golfing, abstract painting, brunching

One think you love about Louisville: local restaurants

#WhyIYPAL:I joined YPAL when I graduated from UofL in 2012. Many of my college friends moved back home (out of town) after college. I suddenly felt like a stranger in my own hometown of Louisville. My boss at the Texas Roadhouse Corporate office encouraged me to join YPAL. Six years later, I have been a YPAL ambassador, Director of Membership, and Director of Leadership. Not only has YPAL given me a network of lifelong friends, but also an unplanned set of leadership skills!

Kasen Meek

Director of Diversity & Inclusion

Organization that actually pays you: Uspiritus/Centerstone; Events & Marketing Coordinator

YPAL event you can’t miss: YP Day at the Capitol, 5:48’s and Quarterly Luncheons

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Attend Yelp events, Creative Mornings, & Connecting Things. I also really dig staying active and volunteering with Uspiritus/Centerstone, MUW’s LINC, Pandora Productions, UofL’s LGBT Center, the Fairness Campaign, Louisville Transmen and other worthwhile organizations!

One think you love about Louisville: Louisville’s weird, creative and inclusive vibe! We are jam-packed with really amazing and authentic people, businesses, and organization. You can’t spell “LOuisVillE” without “love”.. and we have it in abundance!

Cassidy Hyde

Director of Recruitment

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

Christian Bowles

Director of Membership

Organization that actually pays you: Q2 Business Capital

YPAL event you can’t miss: Any panel discussion because of the great speakers

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): UofL Sports and being outdoors

One think you love about Louisville: Big Small Touch

#WhyIYPAL: Why I joined YPAL—I joined YPAL after I moved back to Louisville from college. I wanted to start meeting like-minded young professionals that I knew I could connect with. I also enjoyed learning about what was going on in the city through YPAL’s events. YPAL is also able to connect me with community leaders and allow access to people I would otherwise not have access to.