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Spotlight 52

Redefining Professional

January 7, 2019

Young Professionals of Wichita is a membership organization with over 3,700 members. Our mission is to attract, retain, and engage diverse young talent to affect positive change for a brighter future. These members vary in terms of racial and ethnic diversity, place of employment, political…

YPW Founders' Day Award Winners

July 30, 2018

On Friday, July 27, Young Professionals of Wichita celebrated its 13th Founders’ Day and presented the 8th annual YPW Awards. Founders’ Day is a celebration of the accomplishments achieved by some of Wichita’s most remarkable individuals and companies. We celebrate their hard work to better…

2018 Distinguished YP Award Finalists

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT FOUNDERS' DAY JULY 27

July 23, 2018

Congratulations to our Distinguished YP Award finalists, sponsored by Wesley Medical Center! They include: Lauren Clary, PEC; Kate Flavin, Sedgwick County; Thea Pajunen, Fidelity Bank; Jordan Walker, Greteman Group; and Jacob Wayman, Cornejo & Sons. This award is presented to two YPW members who have reached personal…

2018 Innovations in Business Award Finalists

WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED AT FOUNDERS' DAY JULY 27

July 18, 2018

Congratulations to our Innovations in Business Award finalists, sponsored by Martin Pringle! They include: Renee Duxler, Aerial Style, LLC; Kianga Kelley, Simply a Lady Co.; Stacy Ward Lattin, Hopping Gnome Brewing Company. The Innovations in Business award is presented to a YPW Member who has…

2018 YPW Community Award Finalists

Winner will be announced at Founders' Day July 27

July 16, 2018

We want to congratulate our Community Service Award finalists! They include: James Holland, Westar Energy; Roy Moye III, Spirit AeroSystems; Claudia Yaujar-Amaro, AB&C Bilingual Resources. The Community Service Award is presented to a YPW member who is distinguished by their record of service to their community. They…

YPW Founders' Day Award Winners Announced

August 2, 2017

On Friday, July 28, the Young Professionals of Wichita celebrated its 12th Founders’ Day and presented the 7th annual YPW Awards. YPW celebrates Founders’ Day every year to recognize not only past accomplishments, but also Wichita’s bright future by honoring the exceptional individuals and companies…

2017 Commitment Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 28

July 22, 2017

Congratulations to our YPW Commitment Award finalists! They include: Ashley Bandasack, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.; Lauren Clary, Professional Engineering Consultants; and Teddy Farias, Wichita Area Technical College. The YPW Commitment Award is presented to the individual who has attended the most YPW events from July-June…

2017 Innovations in Business Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 28

July 10, 2017

Congratulations to our Innovations in Business Award finalists, sponsored by Martin Pringle! They include: Chris Callen, Builders Plus Construction and Grit Virtual, and Jennifer McDonald, Jenny Dawn Cellars. The Innovations in Business award is presented to a YPW Member who has demonstrated innovation in their industry, company…

2017 Distinguished YP Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 28

July 6, 2017

Congratulations to our Distinguished YP Award finalists, sponsored by Wesley Medical Center! They include: Amanda Brown, Cargill Protein Group; Ebony Clemons-Ajibolade, Westar Energy; Christina Long, CML Collective, LLC; Keith Marshall, Kansas Air National Guard; Rachel Steiner, Friends University; and Daniel White, Allen, Gibbs and Houlik L.C. This award…

2017 Community Service Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 28

June 28, 2017

Congratulations to our Community Service Award, sponsored by Davis-Moore Auto Group, finalists! They include: Allison Abedini, Fresenius Kidney Care; Jason Carlson, Meritrust Credit Union; Lauren Clary, PEC.  The Community Service Award is presented to a YPW member who is distinguished by their record of service to their…

Community Service Superstars

SECOND QUARTER 2016 Winners Announced

August 2, 2016

Congratulations to our second quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive. YPW Service Superstar: Daniel White, Allen, Gibbs and Houlik, L.C. Daniel White is the Vice-chair for the Leadership Link action team and has helped organize the Group…

YPW Recognizes YPs and Companies at 2016 Founders' Day

Award Winners

August 1, 2016

Friday night, July 29th the Young Professionals of Wichita celebrated our 11th Founders’ Day and presented the 6th annual YPW Awards. YPW celebrates our Founders’ Day every year to recognize not only past accomplishments, but also Wichita’s bright future by honoring the exceptional individuals and companies who…

2016 YPW Commitment Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 29

July 25, 2016

Congratulations to our YPW Commitment Award finalists! Finalists include: Tracy Anderson, Adams, Brown, Beran and Ball, Chtd.; Sam Foreman, Klenda Austerman, LLC; Zach Wiggins, Martin Pringle; Lindsey Wolf, Legacy Bank. This award is presented to the YPW member who attended the most official YPW events for the previous calendar…

2016 Distinguished YP Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 29

July 18, 2016

Congratulations to our Distinguished YP Award finalists, sponsored by Wesley Medical Center! They include: Ambur Alfaro, Delta Dental; Ashley N. Bandasack, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik, L.C.; Josef Hamilton, High Touch Technologies; Jonathan Long, T-Mobile; Dr. Chelsea Peyton, FAAA Hearing Lab Technology LLC. This award is presented to…

2016 Community Service Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 29

July 11, 2016

Congratulations to our Community Service Award, sponsored by Davis-Moore Auto Group, finalists! They include: Amanda Brown, Cargill; Thomas Dalton, Textron Aviation and Jade Marie Martin, Klenda Austerman LLC. The Community Service Award is presented to a YPW member who is distinguished by their record of service…

2016 Innovations in Business Award Finalists

Winner awarded at Founders' Day July 29

July 5, 2016

Congratulations to our Innovations in Business Award, sponsored by Martin Pringle, finalists! They include: Chris Clark, Clarkitecture; Danielle Johnson, Wichita State University Office of Diversity and Inclusion; Jacob Wayman, e2e Accelerator. The Innovations in Business award is presented to a YPW Member who has demonstrated…

Community Service Superstars

FIRST QUARTER 2016 Winners Announced

May 10, 2016

Congratulations to our first quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive.   YPW Service Superstar: Ambur Alfaro Ambur Alfaro works as a Sr. Professional Relations Representative for Delta Dental of Kansas and is a member of the Ambassadors…

YPW Member Spotlight: Thea Pajunen

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita?

February 25, 2016

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita? Find out in upcoming blogs and video posts showcasing some of our members. We range from engineers and marketing gurus to teachers and small business owners. Anyone that feels they are a professional in their field is a…

YPW Member Spotlight: Dr. Chris Bollenbach

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita?

February 11, 2016

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita? Find out in upcoming blogs and video posts showcasing some of our members. We range from engineers and marketing gurus to teachers and small business owners. Anyone that feels they are a professional in their field is a…

Community Service Superstars

Fourth QUARTER 2015 Winners Announced

January 21, 2016

Congratulations to our fourth quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive.   YPW Service Superstar: Camille Gaddis Camille Gaddis joined YPW in July 2014 and is currently the secretary for the Community Relations team. She has enjoyed collaborating with…

YPW Member Spotlight: Lai-L Daugherty

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita?

January 15, 2016

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita? Find out in upcoming blogs and video posts showcasing some of our members. We range from engineers and marketing gurus to teachers and small business owners. Anyone that feels they are a professional in their field is a…

YPW Member Spotlight: Samantha Schaefer

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita?

December 10, 2015

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita? Find out in upcoming blogs and video posts showcasing some of our members. We range from engineers and marketing gurus to teachers and small business owners. Anyone that feels they are a professional in their field is a…

YPW Member Spotlight: Jonathan Long

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita?

November 24, 2015

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita? Find out in upcoming blogs and video posts showcasing some of our members. We range from engineers and marketing gurus to teachers and small business owners. Anyone that feels they are a professional in their field is a…

YPW Member Spotlight: Blessy Abraham

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita?

November 4, 2015

Who are the Young Professionals of Wichita? Find out in upcoming blogs and video posts showcasing some of our members. We range from engineers and marketing gurus to teachers and small business owners. Anyone that feels they are a professional in their field is a…

Equipping Young Leaders

YPW LEADERSHIP ACADEMY IS ACCEPTING NOMINATIONS

October 15, 2015

Each year we accept 25 talented and dynamic young professionals into our Leadership Academy class. The participants engage in six weekly sessions with interactive exercises, issue exploration, self-assessment and in-depth conversations with Wichita’s top community and business leaders. YPW Leadership Academy educates YPs on their…

Community Service Superstars

Third QUARTER 2015 - BY Camille Gaddis Community Relations ACTION TEAM MEMBER

October 14, 2015

Congratulations to our third quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive.   YPW Service Superstar: Tracy Anderson Tracy Anderson is an active volunteer for the Pulse Team and enjoys planning fun events with her peers. The annual Ugly Christmas…

ypw success story: laura bernstorf

2015 YPW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

July 30, 2015

As YPW celebrates 10 years of uniting young professionals in 2015 we’re taking a look into the success stories our past board of trustees chairs. What is a YPW success story? It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! Read more from our 2015 board…

2015 Distinguished YP Award Finalists

BY MEG FOREMAN, YPW PROGRAM AND MARKETING MANAGER

July 21, 2015

Congratulations to our Distinguished Young Professional Award finalists! They include: Ellen K. Decker, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik; David Hoffenberg, Wesley Medical Center; Portia Portugal, Dress for Success Wichita; and Jaimie Zellner, Wichita Downtown Development Corporation. The Distinguished YP Award is presented to two YPW members…

Community Service Superstars

Second QUARTER 2015 - BY Jessica Williams AMBASSADORS ACTION TEAM MEMBER

July 20, 2015

Congratulations to our first quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive. YPW Service Superstar: Roy Mansch Roy was introduced to YPW through one of the most well known events of the year, Enhance. “I was asked to help…

2015 Community Service Award Finalists

by Meg Foreman, YPW Program and Marketing Manager

July 13, 2015

Congratulations to our Community Service Award finalists! They include: Ebony S. Clemons, Westar Energy; Thomas Dalton, Textron Aviation; and Tara K. Patterson, Emprise Bank. The Community Service Award is presented to a YPW member who is distinguished by their record of service to their community….

ypw success story: sommer keplar

2011 YPW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

June 30, 2015

As YPW celebrates 10 years of uniting young professionals in 2015 we’re taking a look into the success stories our past board of trustees chairs. What is a YPW success story? It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! Read more from our 2011 board…

ypw success story: abi griffin

2007 YPW BOARD OF TRUSTEES CHAIR

June 19, 2015

As YPW celebrates 10 years of uniting young professionals in 2015 we’re taking a look into the success stories our past board of trustees chairs. What is a YPW success story? It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! Read more from our 2007 board of…

YPW Success Story: Chad Glenn

2012 Board of Trustees Chair

May 26, 2015

As YPW celebrates 10 years of uniting young professionals in 2015 we’re taking a look into the success stories our past board of trustees chairs. What is a YPW success story? It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! Read more from our 2012 board…

Community Service Superstars

First Quarter 2015 - By Melissa McGinty, Ambassadors Action Team Member

April 29, 2015

Congratulations to our first quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive. YPW Service Superstar: Carly Farr “Yes” may be one of Carly Farr’s favorite words since joining Young Professionals of Wichita. Farr, a marketing coordinator at CLC…

YPW Success Story: Crystal Hough

2008 & 2009 YPW CHAIR

April 8, 2015

As YPW celebrates 10 years of uniting young professionals in 2015 we’re taking a look into the success stories our past board of trustees chairs. What is a YPW success story? It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! Read more from our 2008 &…

YPW Success Story: Rick Griffin

2010 YPW Chair

March 31, 2015

As YPW celebrates 10 years of uniting young professionals in 2015 we’re taking a look into the success stories our past board of trustees chairs. What is a YPW success story? It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! Read more from our 2010 board…

YPW Success Story: Suzy Finn

February 10, 2015

Q: What is a YPW success story? A: It varies, depending on the individuals’ initial reasons for involvement! To start our year of sharing YPW member success stories, I’d like to tell you about why I’m so passionate about YPW, its mission, and its impact…

community service superstars

FOURTH QUARTER 2014 – BY MELISSA MCGINTY, AMBASSADORS ACTION TEAM MEMBER

January 28, 2015

Congratulations to our fourth quarter Community Service Superstars! They will receive a free oil change courtesy of Davis–Moore Automotive.   YPW Service Superstar: Tracy Anderson After moving to Wichita, Tracy Anderson’s solution to meeting people and learning about local happenings: Young Professionals of Wichita. Anderson,…

YPW Member reconnects with Wichita

Leadership Academy provides outlet for connection

April 29, 2014

By Aaron Bushell, Bank of the West 2014 Leadership Academy Class Member I was honored to be selected for the 2014 Young Professionals of Wichita Leadership Academy program.  Having recently returned to my hometown after living out of state for a few years, I saw…

Entrepreneurs tap into Wichita’s Tech & Entrepreneurial communities

prepare for Beta Testing new app

April 24, 2014

By Suzy Finn YPW Executive Director Two years ago, Nic Wentling and Joran Matson went to Chicago for a conference. As students under 21 at the time, they had a difficult time using existing social media apps to find places to go that were open,…

Cassandra Bryan grows cb{d}

from basement startup to award-winning firm

April 18, 2014

By Suzy Finn YPW Executive Director As the owner of Cassandra Bryan Design since 2009, Cassandra Bryan is already compiling a list of community accolades. She won the Innovations in Business Award from Young Professionals of Wichita in 2013 and is currently one of five…

SPECS founders take advantage

of Wichita's "Big Small Town" Atmosphere

April 16, 2014

By Suzy Finn YPW Executive Director In 2003, YPW member Jason Bell decided that if he was going to work hard for a lot of hours, he’d rather do it for himself than another boss. At his 10-year high school reunion that year, he reconnected…

YPW Member Debuts First Art Show

Donut Whole Displays Work during February

March 27, 2014

By Suzy Finn YPW Executive Director Last year, Dana Seiler completed her Master of Arts in Art and Design and took a trip to Ireland. Not sure how she was going to top that in 2014, she decided to pursue her first solo art show…

Need for Speed

YPW Member Creates Air Capital Speedskating Club

February 6, 2014

For just over three years, YPW member Craig Goodloe of Airbus Americas Engineering has been involved in organizing a short track speedskating club at the Wichita Ice Center.  Craig said, “In 2010, my good friend, Rob Davis, and I decided that we should try to…

YPW Action Team Volunteer Plans Event

First-Ever Night of the City Sensational Honors local figures

August 12, 2013

By Lamont Anderson, ALA Enterprises Leadership Link Action Member It is our mission to celebrate the culture, innovation, and diversity in Wichita with an awards and ceremony dedicated to highlighting these attributes which make Wichita great. Wichita is a city filled with a passionate community,…

YPW Members Honored

Congrats to all 40 Under 40 Honorees

May 29, 2013

We’ve always known that Wichita has phenomenal young professionals, and we’re thrilled to see so many of our members honored in the Wichita Business Journal’s 40 Under 40 Awards!  Please join us in congratulating the following YPW members: Brock Beran, Beran Concrete Inc. Angela Buzard, Wichita…

Becoming a "Big"

Member gives back to community

June 19, 2012

“I am a true kid at heart and I saw this as an opportunity or excuse to be a kid again.  I get to go play laser tag, arcade games, football, baseball, climb the playground equipment and just act like a kid and for a…

Making their mark

YPW Action Team Members

May 24, 2012

Suzy Finn Chair, Ambassadors Action Team Occupation: Job Developer for College of Engineering – Wichita State University’s Office of Cooperative Education and Work-Based Learning Age: 29 Education: Bachelor of Arts, Public Relations – Marquette University; Master of Business Administration – Wichita State University Years in…

Making Their Mark

2012 YPW Board Leadership

May 9, 2012

Chad Glenn Chair, YPW Board of Trustees Occupation:  Project Manager, Shelden Architecture Age : 36 Education: Bachelors of Architecture, Kansas State University Years in Wichita: 12 Community Involvement: YPW, Wichita Metro Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Go Wichita Board, Big Brothers Big Sisters How…

Congratulations to 2012 40 Under 40 YPW Members

The Wichita Business Journal has announced their 40 under 40 class of 2012. We would like to congratulate those winners that are also members of YPW! Kristine Contemplacion, Grant Thornton LLP John DeCesaro, Armstrong Shank Scott Hale, Koch Industries Inc Rachel Mendoza Banning, Families Together, Inc Lindsey…

Meet a Member

Sarah Goertz

May 23, 2011

Meet YPW Member, Sarah Goertz.  Sarah is a member of the YPW Board of Trustees and is the Chair of the Community Relations Action Team. Sarah Goertz is a Web marketing specialist for Hawker Beechcraft Corporation. Before landing her dream job, Sarah served as marketing…

Congratulations to 2011 40 Under 40 YPW Members

May 6, 2011

Congratulations to all the YPW Members selected for the Wichita Business Journal’s 2011 40 Under 40 Class! We’re so proud to have so many oustanding members. Brandon Baker — The Carnahan Group Stephanie Bowen — Flint Hills Resources LP Karla Campbell — Spirit AeroSystems Inc…

Meet a Member

Keith Talbert

April 12, 2011

Meet YPW Member, Keith Talbert. He is the 2011 Chair of the YPW Ambassador Action Team and has been a member for 3 years. Name: Keith Talbert Age: 26 Occupation: Destination Sales Manager at Go Wichita YPW How long have you been involved? I have…

Meet a Member

Chris Hurst

March 17, 2011

Meet YPW Member, Chris Hurst. He is the 2011 YPW Board of Trustees secretary and has been a member for 5 years. Name: Chris Hurst Age: 36 Occupation: Engineer YPWHow long have you been involved?: 5 years Why you are involved?: I joined YPW to discover the…

Meet a Member

Chad Glenn

March 2, 2011

Meet YPW Member, Chad Glenn. He is the 2011 YPW Board of Trustees Chair-Elect, is the Chair of the Enhance CommunitYProject subcommittee of the Community Relations Action Team, and has been a member for 5 years. Name: Chad Glenn Age: 35 Occupation: Architect YPW How…

Meet a Member

Sommer Keplar

February 14, 2011

Meet YPW Member, Sommer Keplar.  She is the 2011 YPW Board of Trustees Chair, is on the Enhance CommunitYProject subcommittee of the Community Relations Action Team, and has been a member for 5 years. Name: Sommer Keplar Age: 29 Occupation: Organizational Effectiveness Specialist for Via Christi…

Congratulations to 2010 40 Under 40 YPW Members

June 1, 2010

Congratulations to the YPW members who were selected for Wichita Business Journal’s 2010 40 Under 40 class! Julie Allen, Kennedy & Koe LLC Prisca Barnes, The Kansas African American Museum Kim Doze, Martin Pringle Oliver Wallace & Bauer LLP P. Scott Flemming, Sullivan Higdon &…

Member News

Congrats Rick Griffin!

December 21, 2009

Rick Griffin has been voted a partner at MartinPringle Attorneys at Law. He is one of 22 partners at the firm. Griffin started with MartinPringle in 2002 as a summer law clerk while he was finishing law school at the University of Kansas School of…

Congratulations to 2009 40 Under 40 YPW Members

July 20, 2009

The Wichita Business Journal released the 2009 40 Under 40 list. Congratulations to the 6 YPW Members that made the list: Hector Cortez, Spirit AeroSystems Andrante Etheridge, Koch Industries Rick Golubski, Allen, Gibbs & Houlik Sommer Keplar, Via Christi Health System Stacie Myers, Kennedy and…

YPs in the News

January 28, 2009

I am pleased to share that YPW member, Jesse McCurry, has recently been named to KansasBio Panel. The panel is composed of 34 people from a variety of businesses and institutions statewide. The panel will be testifying on behalf of legislation related to their subject…

YPs in the News

January 22, 2009

I am pleased to share that YPW member Angela Schroeder has recently been selected as one of five nominees for the Society of Women Engineers New Faces of Engineering Award for 2009. She will be competing with top nominees from other professional engineering societies. The…

Chat with a Changer

Jared Brickman, ROKICT.com

December 2, 2008

In this town, right now, there’s a group of young professionals poised for world domination with “world” being that individual area of expertise and passion that drives that person to create dynamic community change. In this week’s Chats w/Changers, I spoke with Jared Brickman, the…

YPs in the News

November 6, 2008

Congrats to these YPW members who were recently named to the Center for Real Estate’s Student & Community Development Board. This Board is “dedicated to build bridges of cooperation and involvement between the Center for Real Estate and the local business community.” According to the…