LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 22, 2025) — The Young Professionals Association of Louisville has selected its 2025-26 board of directors. The incoming board is composed of young professionals representing a broad range of industries, experiences and backgrounds.
The 20-member board includes 12 people who are currently serving on the board of directors for the 2024-25 year, along with eight newcomers to the board. The retention and additions demonstrates YPAL’s ability to keep young professionals involved within the nonprofit’s mission and attract new leaders who are passionate about strengthening their communities.
The board will be led by incoming President Sam Draut. He is an award-winning journalist who is a producer and reporter at WDRB News.
“We have an excellent group of talented and skilled board members who are not only professionally successful, but devoted to making Louisville a better place to live and work,” Draut said. “The board will innovate, advance and amplify YPAL’s mission to create a welcoming and vibrant community for all young professionals.”
Draut’s primary goal for the board is to utilize the passion of its members to connect to other community organizations in Louisville to make YPAL more representative of the city that young professionals call home.
YPAL recently announced its transition from a 501(c)(6) organization to a 501(c)(3) nonprofit status, opening new doors for growth and impact in the Louisville community. The change underscores YPAL’s commitment to fostering connection, engagement and professional development among young professionals in the region.
“The shift to a 501(c)(3) will allow YPAL to take on new opportunities with its mission of service, leadership development and community engagement,” Draut said. “We want YPAL’s impact to be expanded within our community and elevate the organization’s presence as a civic partner in Louisville.”
The board term will begin July 1, 2025 and end June 30, 2026.
Below is the complete list of board appointments:
- President: Sam Draut, WDRB News
- President-Elect: Sarah Kelley, Kentucky Supreme Court
- Immediate Past President: Ben Donlon, White Lavender
- Treasurer: Dillon Wells, Cherry Bekaert Advisory LLC
- Secretary: Ben Barberie, Frost Brown Todd
- VP of Public Relations: Erin Burke, Louisville Metro Government
- VP of Connection: Mclean Shutt, Mercer US, LLC
- VP of Engagement: Charlie Todd, Stored Value Solutions
- VP of Development: Catherine Thompson, University of Louisville
- VP of Philanthropy – McKenzie Gary, TeriGrowth
- Director of Communications: Molly Jett Heim, Kentucky Derby Festival
- Director of Social Media: Taylor Davis, East & Westbrook Construction
- Director of Technology: Nick Landis, PNC Bank
- Director of Diversity & Inclusion: Jeliah Logan, Ingenium Talent
- Director of Recruitment: Jovondra Coffey, Forvis Mazars
- Director of Membership: Jonathan Creger, V-Soft Consulting
- Director of Community Outreach: Raina Melvin, Historic Locust Grove
- Director of Public Issues: Peggy Schnell, National MS Society
- Director of Professional Development: Ben Benavidez, Whiskey Thief Distilling Co.
- Director of Leadership: Peyton Brock, Oldham County Health Department
Now with more than 1,200 current members, YPAL was founded in 1999 to attract and retain young talent in Louisville. YPAL’s mission is to create a vibrant and welcoming young community in Greater Louisville by connecting, engaging and developing young professionals.
The 2025 YPAL Awards will be June 26 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Louisville Water Tower. The awards will celebrate young professionals leading their community.
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