The Young Professionals Association of Louisville (YPAL) has announced its 2021-2022 board of directors. The incoming board is comprised of young professionals representing a broad range of industries and backgrounds who are unified in their desire to make Louisville a better place for young professionals to live, work and play.
The board will be led by incoming President, John Weber, Associate Attorney at Stites & Harbison, PLLC. The 2021-2022 Board term will begin July 1, 2021. Below is the complete list of Board appointments:
Executive Committee:
- President: John Weber – Stites & Harbison, PLLC
- President-Elect: Woo Smith – Terracon Consultants, Inc.
- Immediate Past President: Rudy J. Ellis III – Dinsmore & Shohl
- Treasurer: Patrick Wilson – MCM CPAs & Advisors
- Secretary: Elizabeth Mosley – Frost Brown Todd LLC
- VP of Public Relations: Betsy Oyler Appleton – Confluent Health
- VP of Connection: Eiman Zuberi – Louisville City FC & Racing Louisville FC
- VP of Development: Kulwant Singh – Farm Credit Mid America/Rural 1st
- VP of Engagement: Lena Muldoon – Louisville Metro Government
Directors:
- Communications: Sean Southard – Kentucky Department of Agriculture
- Social Media: Sam Draut – Block Communications, Inc.
- Technology: Jay Brown – Smart Data
- Community Outreach: Elizabeth Penn – Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP
- Public Issues: Aaron Vance – Dinsmore and Shohl LLP
- Professional Development: Tanelle Smith – Greater Louisville Inc.
- Leadership: Emory Williamson – Academy of Music Production Education and Development (AMPED)
- Diversity & Inclusion: Victor Keye – Louisville Urban League
- Recruitment: Gabrielle McChristion Stone – Appriss
- Membership: Kezia Ramsey – The Monticello Banking Company
About John Weber:
John Weber will step into the role of YPAL President on July 1, 2021, leveraging his depth of involvement with YPAL going back to 2017. He previously served as an Ambassador from 2017-2019, is a graduate of YPAL’s Emerging Leaders Program, and served on the organization’s Board of Directors as Secretary and General Counsel from 2019-2021.
As the eyes of the nation continue to focus on Louisville, Weber believes YPAL and young professionals will play a unique role in shaping the future of our city and is excited to have the opportunity to lead at this crucial time. His key challenges will address our city’s recovery from the pandemic, ongoing work to combat systemic racism in our city, and seeking to add new voices to civic conversations.
Despite the challenges, Weber is eager to capitalize on Louisville’s strengths in the post-COVID economy by representing YPAL and thousands of young professional voices in conversations with community leaders.
“Young professionals are not only the leaders of tomorrow, they are also leaders today,” said Weber, “I envision YPAL as a hub of young professional talent, eager to expand our current community partnerships, and create more opportunities for members to contribute to boards and organizations across the community.”
At this crucial time, civic, community and business leaders want to hear young professional perspectives, and young professionals, in turn, crave to be involved in the important conversations facing Louisville. Weber is committed to facilitating these meaningful connections, empowering YPAL and its members to make a larger impact, and taking intentional steps to represent all young professionals in our city, inclusive of race, gender, sexuality, zip code, or industry.
“This is how we will live out our mission, of Connect, Engage and Develop,” said Weber, “Impact the trajectory of the city, and help diversify board rooms and decision-making processes.”
Weber is a member of the Real Estate and Banking Service Group in Stites & Harbison’s Louisville office. His practice focuses on commercial real estate and business transactions, advising developers, investors, and lenders in the acquisition, construction, development, leasing, and sale of multifamily, office, retail, industrial, and other commercial properties nationwide. He is excited to bring this experience to YPAL and looks forward to championing young professionals, YPAL partners, and our city – especially downtown!
“I love working, playing, and eating downtown and want to do my part in building upon its vibrancy,” Weber said.
Weber holds a degree in Political Science, cum laude, from the University of Louisville and a Master’s degree in Education, magna cum laude, from Lipscomb University. During his graduate studies, he taught 12th grade US Government with Teach For America. He earned his J.D. from the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law, graduating cum laude with a Certificate of Distinction in Transactional Skills, and being named the Outstanding Law Student Graduate. While in law school, John served in the American Bar Association’s House of Delegates and on the Louisville Bar Association’s Board of Directors. He was a member of the University of Louisville Law Review, and won the Outstanding Teacher award in Writing Skills in Central High School’s Law Magnet. Additionally, John had the opportunity to consult on an amicus brief for Bostock v. Clayton City, Georgia (2019) to the United States Supreme Court. He has actively served his community, leading the New Leaders Council of Kentucky, co-founded the Teach For America Louisville Alumni Board, serves as a Trustee and Deacon at St. Matthews Baptist Church, member of the Kentucky Bar Association’s Young Lawyers Section and member of the University of Louisville Alumni Board, Political Science Alumni Council and Arts & Sciences Dean’s Council.
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