Year in Review 2015-2016

2015-16 brought a wave of change to YPAL, and the organization emerged stronger than ever. During this term, YPAL re-evaluated its structure and began to offer more mission-minded and first-rate programs for its members. YPAL’s members seized this opportunity by increasing their engagement in the community, further honing their professional skills, and strengthening their professional and personal networks.

View the 2015-2016 Organization Report

2015-2016 Highlights:

• Launched “Connect,” “Develop,” and “Engage” Series which successfully centered programming directly with YPAL’s mission.
• Launched a new professional development program, Excelerate, which offered “soft skills” training on issues facing young professionals. The first sessions were on “Multigenerational Issues in the Workplace: Bridging the Gap” and “Communication for the Digital Age.”
• Through the Emerging Leaders Program, conducted a detailed survey of the opinions of 550 young professionals on both their work life and living in Louisville (the “Live, Work, Play Survey”), the results of which garnered television and written news coverage and were presented to various local organizations.
• Conducted an organizational assessment and restructure to better align YPAL with its mission. Industry-specific committees were dissolved for alternative programing to encourage collaboration between various industries.
• Developed 5:48 Networking, an innovative networking series which, in part, replaced the functions of the former industry-specific committees.
• Continued success with our Emerging Leaders Program, graduating its 7th class in the spring.
• Partnered with groups such as the Give 502, University of Louisville Alumni Association, The Cultivators, and Junior League to strengthen its relationships with other organizations in our community.
• Hosted an “Engage” event which connected young professionals with various local arts organizations and their young professional groups.
• Partnered with young professional groups from around the region during the YP Unite Summit and YP Day at the Capital, including Bowling Green Young Professionals, Legacy Leadership (Northern Kentucky), Lexington Young Professional Association, Hopkinsville YP Engage, Young Professionals of Lake Cumberland and Young Professionals of Murray. Initiated and moderated a quarterly conference call with leadership from the various young professional groups.
• Volunteered with nonprofits in the community including: Engelhard Elementary School, Dare to Care, Special Olympics, and The Louisville Loop.
• Partnered with Northwestern Mutual and Where Opportunity Knox to develop the YPAL Servicemember Initiative, which provides complimentary membership and scholarship opportunities for active duty and retired military personnel.
• Logged 6,581 hours of participation in YPAL programming by attendees.