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

Nathan Shanks

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.

Rudy Ellis

President-Elect

Organization that actually pays you: Dinsmore & Shohl

YPAL event you can’t miss: Excelerate

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

One thing 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.

Aimee Jewell

Immediate Past President

Organization that actually pays you: Leadership Louisville Center

YPAL event you can’t miss: Our Engage Series is my favorite!

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. This is my sixth year being involved and I’m still learning new things, meeting new people, and visiting new places.

Patrick Wilson

Treasurer

Organization that actually pays you: MCM CPAs & Advisors

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 Networking and Quarterly Lunches

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Anything U of L sports and volleyball (playing, coaching, or spectating)

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

John Weber

Secretary

Organization that actually pays you: Frost Brown Todd LLC

YPAL event you can’t miss: A hard hat tour… anywhere!

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Try new restaurants with my wife, game nights with friends, watch UofL sports and play percussion.

One thing you love about Louisville: The food (and drink) scene! Oh, and the people

#WhyIYPAL: YPAL has connected me to friends and peers of diverse perspectives. YPAL members have varying political beliefs, personal backgrounds and experiences and work in numerous industries. The organization has introduced me to an entirely new group of people in the city!

Sally George

VP 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): Travel and spend time outdoors

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

#WhyIYPAL: 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.

Hunter T Ellington

VP of Community

Organization that actually pays you: Fifth Third Private Bank

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

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Go on a father/daughter date with my 3 year old daughter

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

#WhyIYPAL: Once I learned YPAL was more than just a networking event (yes, I thought that once too), I knew it was an organization I wanted, and needed, to be a part of. 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.

Cassidy Hyde

VP of Programming

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!

Kasen Meek

VP of Engagement

Organization that actually pays you: Centerstone: Social Media Specialist

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 volunteer with Uspiritus/Centerstone, MUW’s LINC, Pandora Productions, UofL’s LGBT Center, the Fairness Campaign, Louisville Transmen and other worthwhile organizations!

One thing you love about Louisville: 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!

#WhyIYPAL: I YPAL for the great people, great connections, and great opportunities. YPAL has given me the platform to connect with other young professionals, engage with community leaders and organizations and develop not only as a professional, but as a person. YPALing is so fetch – find me at an event – I’ve got a high-five with your name on it.

Chris Redd

Director of Communications

Organization that actually pays you: Healthcare IT Leaders

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Love to travel and golf

One thing you love about Louisville: : The great food scene and of course the bourbon.

#WhyIYPAL:To connect with other professionals, build synergy with likeminded individuals, and help develop a thriving Louisville ecosystem.

Betsy Oyler Appleton

Director of Social Media

Organization that actually pays you: Confluent Health

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

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Travel, exploring new restaurants, running in Cherokee Park

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 to Louisville easy. I’m growing my network, making new friends and contacts, and have access to interesting events.

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 thing you love about Louisville: Diversity

#WhyIYPAL: YPAL has given me the ability to be a part of a large networking group, leadership roles, and opportunities to give back to the community all at my own pace.

Melissa Hernandez

Director of Community Outreach

Organization that actually pays you: Leadership Louisville Center

YPAL event you can’t miss: 5:48 or YPAL 101

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Gardening and yoga. Ideally yoga in a garden.

One thing you love about Louisville: All the festivals, especially World Fest!

#WhyIYPAL: I joined YPAL when I moved to meet like minded professionals in my new city. Also, I loved that the events are purposely in different areas around town so I got to know Louisville in the process.

Dexter K. Horne

Director of Public Issues

Organization that actually pays you: University of Louisville

YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL 101, it’s always a good time seeing new faces through free drinks!

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Take a scooter downtown and see how long I can go before the first fall.

One thing you love about Louisville: It’s personality: a little mid-western weirdness mixed with southern charm.

#WhyIYPAL: I like that the concerns of the organization, and the young people in the Metro area that it represents, are taken seriously by government and industry leaders. I stay involved with YPAL because I think it is important that our voices are heard.

Brian Schneider

Director of Professional Development

Organization that actually pays you: Greater Louisville Inc.

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

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

One thing you love about Louisville: The awesome food scene

#WhyIYPAL: I love networking with great people and opportunities for professional development

Sarah Perry

Director of Leadership

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

#WhyIYPAL: YPAL has become my top platform for reaching my professional goals: connect with other young professionals and make new friends across various industries. Grow my skills through professional development opportunities. Develop my understanding and awareness of organizations and businesses in our region. Engage comprehensively with people, ideas, public issues, programs, strategies, brands, and more.

Kelci N. Webb

Director of Diversity & Inclusion

Organization that actually pays you: Southeast Christian Church

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

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Cycle Bar or Netflix

One thing you love about Louisville: All the yummy food

#WhyIYPAL: To connect with like-minded professionals

Kayla Schaeffer

Director of Recruitment

Organization that actually pays you: Atria Senior Living

YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL 101

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Eat sushi in bed with my husband, travel to all inclusive resorts, and shop clearance racks!

One thing you love about Louisville: Louisville FC baby!!!

#WhyIYPAL: This quote from Edmund Lee sums it up perfectly: “Surround yourself with the dreamers and the doers, the believers and thinkers, but most of all, surround yourself with those who see the greatness within you, even when you don’t see it yourself.

Michelle Clay

Director of Membership

Organization that actually pays you: Humana

YPAL event you can’t miss: YPAL 101 and the Quarterly Lunches

Favorite thing to do (other than YPAL): Modern calligraphy

One thing you love about Louisville: I love that you can find a similar 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.