Leadership Council

Derek Kay, Chair, LCOC Board Member
FNBO

Emma Kwapnioski, Vice Chair
University of Nebraska Foundation

Courtney Strayer, Past Chair
Bryan Health

Carrie Bartholomew
ALLO Fiber

Eric Bertrand, LCOC Policy Advisory Committee Member
West Gate Bank

Emilee Meints
Morrow Collision Center

Sydney Schoening
Immanuel

Susan Twiehaus
Security First Bank

Champions

2025-2027 LYPG Strategic Plan
Strategic Plan Areas

AREA 1: Membership Recruitment, Retention & Engagement
Goal 1.1 - Grow LYPG membership to at least 350 dues-paying members by the end of 2027.
Goal 1.2 - Increase 3-year retention rate to at least 40-50% for new members.
Goal 1.3 - Achieve 80%+ new member engagement within the first 90 days through onboarding and targeted touchpoints.

AREA 2: Professional Development
Goal 2.1 – Enhance and expand professional growth opportunities for Lincoln’s young professionals by developing diverse, high-impact programming and resources that support career advancement, skill development, and leadership readiness.
Goal 2.2 - Build a statewide collaboration network by forming strategic partnerships with other young professional or membership-based groups and enabling cross-promotion across platforms.
Goal 2.3 - Support Lincoln Chamber of Commerce in Vitality Lincoln Key Initiative “Design and launch a mentorship program for future community champions.”

Area 3: Community Engagement & Education
Goal 3.1 – Establish LYPG as a key connector between young professionals and community-based nonprofit opportunities.
Goal 3.2 – Grow YPGives into an annual citywide service initiative, engaging multiple nonprofit partners in one day of giving back.
Goal 3.3 – Strengthen LYPG’s role as a champion of Lincoln’s evolving culture by supporting local initiatives, sharing events and new business stories with the LYPG membership.
Goal 3.4 – Foster civic literacy and participation on key policy topics and processes through education on state, county, and city governance, in partnership with community organizations.

Yappin' with YPs

Check out the latest episodes!

YP Week will return in Fall 2027!

YP Week 2026 Recap: 

Thank you to everyone who made YP Week 2026 a success. Over five days and nine events, Lincoln’s young professionals came together to build connections, develop new skills, give back to the community and celebrate the next generation of leaders.

Highlights from YP Week 2026

• Professional Development: Gained insights from local business leaders and engaging speakers.

• Community Involvement: Supported local organizations through hands-on volunteer opportunities with BraveBe Child Advocacy Center and Linked2Literacy.

• Networking: Connected with fellow young professionals and community leaders at events throughout Lincoln.

• Young Lincoln Leader Awards: Celebrated the outstanding young professionals making a difference in our community.

• Local Experiences: Explored unique Lincoln destinations and discovered new ways to connect with the community.

Check back soon for details about YP Week Fall 2027.