Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club

Please join us in celebrating the first 12 (of 24) recipients of our 2024 Next Up Columbus Awards! The annual list of young professionals to know includes: ⭐ Alexandra Fresch, 34, Assistant Director at Glass Axis ⭐ Andrew King, 35, Partner at SQUIRE PATTON BOGGS (US) LLP ⭐ Ashley Montana, 30, Community Engagement Director at the Franklinton Development Association ⭐ Caitlin Faas, Ph.D., 38, Grant Writer at Columbus Urban League ⭐ Cassandra (Cassie) Kelly, 31, Owner of Like-Minded Marketing ⭐ Chelsea Brooks, 32, Senior Marketing Manager & Operating Partner at Cameron Mitchell Restaurants ⭐ Chris Crosby, 36, Lead Field Operations Transformation Project Manager ⭐ Christian Espinoza, PhD, 39, Product Manager at Worthington Industries ⭐ Ciara M. Walker, 34, Procurement Administration for Central Ohio Transit Authority (COTA) ⭐ Ekima Roper-Smith, MBA, 40, CEO/Founder of The Five Party & Event Center ⭐ Emily Mathias, 25, Chief of Staff at Cyrannus ⭐ Erica Howard, SHRM-CP, 40, HR Director at Vis-À-Vis Health; Director of Leadership at Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club Meet all 24 honorees (and read their stories at https://lnkd.in/eTayvBXG) The Next Up Columbus Awards are presented annually by the #CYPClub to a group emerging leaders who are changing the course—and the face—of our city and our region for the better. Now in its eighth year, we would like to thank Discover Financial Services, Columbus Chamber of Commerce, and Edison Brewing Company for co-sponsoring this year’s recognition program! #cypclub #nextupcolumbus #youngprofessionalstoknow

Join us in celebration as we recognize another outstanding group of young professionals to know in Columbus at our 8th annual #NextUpColumbus Awards Summer Social on Thursday, June 27 at Edison Brewing Company’s Outdoor Biergarten in #Gahanna. As part of this event, there will be networking with 250-300 attendees, food stations sampling complimentary sweet & savory delights, live band, photo booths, awards presentation, and more. We'll be making connections from 6-9 p.m., with our awards program on stage from 7-7:30 p.m. The event will be outdoors and dress is business casual attire. #cypclub #CYPsocial Photo by Steve Miller / Marked Imagery

🌟 Join us on Wednesday, June 26 from 6-8pm at COhatch in #UpperArlington as we jump into the transformative world of professional branding, where every aspect of your name and reputation becomes a beacon of your unique value and potential! It’s a special workshop led by Jennifer Walton, MBA for #CYPClub members and friends as part of our Elevate & Excel mentoring initiative! 🚀💼 In today’s fiercely competitive landscape, crafting a powerful professional brand is not just desirable; it’s essential for success. Your brand is not merely what you do; it’s how you’re perceived, remembered, and advocated for in the vast corridors of opportunity. We will explore the art and science of personal branding, honing in on strategies to ensure that your name shines brightly in every room, even when you’re not there. Central to this journey is the concept of building your personal board of directors – a trusted circle of allies and advocates who champion your talents, amplify your voice, and open doors to new possibilities. Prepare to embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery, empowerment, and strategic networking, as we equip you with the tools and insights to shape a professional brand that sets you apart and propels you towards your dreams! 🌟💬 #ElevateAndExcel #ProfessionalBranding #PersonalBoardOfDirectors #Leadership #CareerEmpowerment #MentoringMatters 🚀💼

Join the #CYPClub on Wednesday, June 12th from 7:30-9am for a morning filled with connection, caffeine, and captivating conversation featuring community leaders from around Columbus. Coffee with a Cause will now be hosted at COhatch in Upper Arlington. This time around, we’re tackling a crucial issue close to home: hunger in Columbus. Our esteemed panel of nonprofit thought-leaders will shed light on this pressing matter, sharing insights, experiences, and strategies for addressing hunger in our city. Here’s a glimpse of our incredible lineup: • Jeremy Brauning, Volunteer Services Manager at Mid-Ohio Food Collective • Leachuin Dean, Volunteer & Community Manager at Local Matters • Yohan Kim, Pantry Manager at Heart to Heart Food Pantry Guiding the discussion with finesse is none other than Aditi Bhatiya, Owner & CEO at The Spice Age Group (and CYP Club Leadership Council Conversations co-chair)! As always, Coffee with a Cause is free to attend and all are welcome to join us. Coffee and light breakfast are included, courtesy of our friends at COhatch, and parking is available for free. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to connect with like-minded young professionals and find out how you can help the cause! RSVP at https://lnkd.in/eKFpEjdp

Be the power behind the Columbus Arts Festival! Each year, the Festival comes to life through the cooperation of Greater Columbus Arts Council staff, Coordinating Committee members and an expansive corps of more than 400 on-site volunteers. On-site volunteers are indispensable to the success of this event. During Festival weekend (June 7-9 on Columbus’ downtown riverfront) energetic, friendly volunteers are needed for various tasks, such as monitoring artist booths, assisting in hands-on art activities, helping backstage and more. Shifts are only 3-4 hours each and your contribution of a few hours makes a big difference! Sign up to volunteer at https://lnkd.in/ek4ef2mZ #artmakescbus #cbusmakesart #cypclubcares #cyppartners

Hi everyone, I am excited to share that in April I began a 15-week Elevate & Excel mentoring program through Columbus Young Professionals (CYP) Club! Throughout this program, I will have the opportunity to attend various in-person sessions relevant to professional growth, as well as meet regularly with my assigned mentor, Siana T. as she shares her wisdom. Thank you for all you do! The program has been truly inspirational, encouraging new ways of thinking, challenging our limiting assumptions, and sharing valuable life lessons. I am so grateful for this opportunity to bring what I learn to my work!

This morning we welcomed Katie Ellis, President & CEO of the Tri-Village Chamber Partnership, as our Coffee Talk guest speaker for May. Thank you to Lisa Boyle and Chocolate Cafe for hosting us and to everyone who joined us for early-bird connections and coffee! ☕️

Join us TONIGHT at Volunteer Fest! More than 150 #cypclub members & friends have already RSVPed to join us at our first-ever Columbus Volunteer Festival on Thursday, May 23rd at COhatch in Westerville from 5:30-8:30pm and we would love to see you there as well. If you're looking to get more involved while enjoying an outdoor event with live music, food trucks, games & giveaways, and a next-door brewery, this is the event for you! It’s free to attend and all are welcome.

Don’t miss the first-ever Columbus Volunteer Festival on Thursday, May 23 from 5:30-8:30pm at COhatch Westerville!   Hosted by #CYPClub with support from COhatch, Columbus Underground, Greater Columbus Arts Council, and Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, Volunteer Fest is a brand-new community event that welcomes hundreds of attendees a unique opportunity to connect in person with more than 30 local nonprofits while enjoying music, outdoor activities, games/giveaways, food trucks, and more. This event is free to attend and all ages are welcome!

Join us next week at Volunteer Fest! 💗 If you are looking to get more involved in giving back, we invite you to join us at the Columbus Volunteer Festival on May 23rd from 5:30-8:30PM at COhatch Westerville! Volunteer Fest offers attendees an opportunity to connect with dozens of local nonprofits while enjoying live music, games & giveaways, food trucks, networking, and more. It’s free to attend and all are welcome.