Lincoln Chamber of Commerce | Lincoln Young Professionals Group

Lincoln Young Professionals
Your People. Your Purpose. Your Place.

Lincoln Young Professionals Group (LYPG) is a program of the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce. Founded in 2006, LYPG was created to bring early-career professionals together while showcasing Lincoln as an incredible place to live, work and play. Grounded in four core pillars, LYPG's programming is designed to help young professionals connect, grow, and do the most (in the best way).

LYPG is your place to find your people - building personal and professional relationships that will last the next 20 years and beyond. It's your place to find your purpose - develop skills to grow your career, give back to our community, and find your voice on the issues that matter most.

Our Mission

Empowering Lincoln's young professionals through learning, networking, leadership, community involvement and impact

Our Vision

Young professionals will drive progress and build a dynamic, connected community where they can thrive and lead through professional growth and leadership opportunities

Find your people. Find your purpose. And most importantly, find your place.

Join LYPG Today

Meet the Team
Events
YP Week
Strategic Plan
Yappin' with YPs

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

Michael Sandvold
University of Nebraska-Lincoln

Sydney Schoening
Immanuel

Susan Twiehaus
Security First Bank

Champions

Theresa Arneal
Jeffrey S. Raikes School

James Brown
Community Volunteer

Nikki Bruns
Community Volunteer

Robert Bryant
Cada, Jewson & Bryant

Landon Friesen
AOI Corporation

Emily Hancock
Union Bank & Trust

Jessie Hedrick
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Counties

Drew Hoffman
Lutz

Brooke Imm
Tenaska Marketing Ventures

Hunter Johnson
Nelnet

Tut Kailech
NeighborWorks Lincoln

Thomas Machal
HBE LLP

Dylan MacKichan
Mutual of Omaha Investor Services

Jessica Medina
Northwestern Mutual

Alex Ober
Leadership Resources

Kayla Ostegard
Union Bank & Trust

Mason Ritnour
Engineering Technologies, Inc.

Brandon Robbins
DataVizion

Ben Smith
QPS Employment Group

Holly Smith
CBUSA

Current Events

Sip + Socialize

August 20, 2026 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM
The Malone Center | 2032 U. Street

Sip, mingle, repeat! Join fellow young professionals for our next Sip + Socialize at The Malone Center! Connect with other YPs, enjoy delicious mocktails and refreshments and get an inside look at the incredible work the Malone Center is doing to support children and families across Lincoln.

With back-to-school season underway, we'll learn more about their mission, the impact they're making in our community and how we can help support their work. We'll also have the opportunity to donate to The Malone Center throughout the event and learn more about how contributions help make their programs possible.

Come for the mocktails, stay for the connections and leave inspired to make a difference!

Level Up with Doane

August 25, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Doane University Fred Brown Center, Room 302 | 303 N. 52nd St.

Work Reimagined: Work isn’t just changing — leadership, connection and success are being redefined at every level. Work Reimagined invites young professionals to rethink success in a world shaped by rapid change, new technologies and shifting expectations.

In 2026, YPG programs will explore how to lead with authenticity, build a meaningful, sustainable career and thrive in workplaces that value both innovation and well-being.

Signature Events

YPG Golf Tournament

Our annual June golf tournament brings members and nonmembers together for a full day on the course, no matter what your skill level is. Register as a foursome or sign up as an individual, and enjoy networking, friendly competition, and fun along the fairway.

Companies can also get in on the action with hole sponsorships and connect directly with players throughout the day.

YP Week

YP Week is our biggest, boldest week of the year. Held each October, it features up to nine events across five days, all centered around our four pillars: networking, professional development, philanthropy and public policy education.

It's a full year of YP programming packed into one high-energy week.

Young Lincoln Leader Award Past Winners

Young Lincoln Leader Award Nomination Form

YP Year-End Celebration

Each December, we wrap up the year by celebrating our wins, reflecting on impact, and connecting with fellow YPs.

The Year-End Celebration is part recognition, part networking and the perfect way to close out the year together.

YP Week | October 19 - 23, 2026

Kickoff Lunch with Charlie Colon

Monday, October 19, 2026 | 11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
Talon Room | 230 N. 12th Street

Event details coming soon!

YP After Dark

Monday, October 19, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM
TBD

Event details coming soon!

YP Grows

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 8:30 - 9:30 AM
TBD

Event details coming soon!

YP Gives

Tuesday, October 20, 2026 | 4:00 - 6:00 PM
TBD

Event details coming soon!

Face the Chamber

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Country Club of Lincoln | 3200 S. 24th Street

Event details coming soon!

Sip + Socialize

Wednesday, October 21, 2026 | 4:30 - 6:30 PM
Sideshow Speakeasy | 151 N. 8th Street

Sip, mingle, repeat! Join fellow young professionals for our next Sip + Socialize at Sideshow Speakeasy!

More details coming soon!

Table for 10

Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 12:00 - 1:00 PM
Various Locations

Spend your lunch break with your peers and connect with other leaders in our community! This year’s Table for 10 will feature guests from the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors!

More details coming soon!

7th Annual Young Lincoln Leader Awards

Thursday, October 22, 2026 | 6:00 - 8:00 PM
Wilderness Ridge Golf Club | 1800 Wilderness Woods Place

The biggest night of YP Week is here! Join us as we celebrate Lincoln’s brightest young professionals with awards in seven exciting categories. From nominees to winners, it’s a night full of recognition, energy, inspiration, and networking you won’t want to miss! Help us honor the leaders shaping our community's future.

Breakfast of Champions

Friday, October 23, 2026 | 8:00 - 9:00 AM
Morrow Collision Center | 2801 N. 83rd Street

Let’s celebrate as we run across the finish line of YP Week. Open to all, meet us at Morrow Collision for breakfast with other young professionals!

Thank you to our current Champions for all of your time during this week and the entire year! We celebrate you today and open the doors for everyone to join. At this event, everyone is a Champion in our eyes.

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.

Become A Sponsor!

As a sponsor, your business directly contributes to building an energetic, dynamic community where young professionals thrive. In return, your young professionals receive a complimentary YPG membership, unlocking a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development.

Have questions, or are you ready to sponsor LYPG? Contact Nate Ehmke at nehmke@lcoc.com or call 402.435.2355.

Reach out to us with questions:

Nate Ehmke
Event & Program Director
nehmke@lcoc.com

Skylar Reestman
Marketing & Program Coordinator
sreestman@lcoc.com

Lincoln Young Professionals Your People. Your Purpose. Your Place.

LYPG is your place to find your people - building personal and professional relationships that will last the next 20 years and beyond. It's your place to find your purpose - develop skills to grow your career, give back to our community, and find your voice on the issues that matter most.

Our Mission

Empowering Lincoln's young professionals through learning, networking, leadership, community involvement and impact

Our Vision

Young professionals will drive progress and build a dynamic, connected community where they can thrive and lead through professional growth and leadership opportunities

Find your people. Find your purpose. And most importantly, find your place.

Leadership Council

Champions

Theresa Arneal Jeffrey S. Raikes School

James Brown Community Volunteer

Nikki Bruns Community Volunteer

Robert Bryant Cada, Jewson & Bryant

Landon Friesen AOI Corporation

Emily Hancock Union Bank & Trust

Emily Haney City of Lincoln

Jessie Hedrick Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Counties

Drew Hoffman Lutz

Brooke Imm Tenaska Marketing Ventures

Hunter Johnson Nelnet

Tut Kailech NeighborWorks Lincoln

Bree Lovell Home Federal Bank

Thomas Machal HBE LLP

Dylan MacKichan Mutual of Omaha Investor Services

Jessica Medina Northwestern Mutual

Alex Ober Leadership Resources

Kayla Ostegard Union Bank & Trust

Mason Ritnour Engineering Technologies, Inc.

Brandon Robbins DataVizion

Ben Smith QPS Employment Group

Holly Smith CBUSA

Katie Speer Bryan Health

Become A Sponsor!

As a sponsor, your business directly contributes to building an energetic, dynamic community where young professionals thrive. In return, your young professionals receive a complimentary YPG membership, unlocking a wealth of opportunities for personal and professional development.

Have questions, or are you ready to sponsor LYPG? Contact Nate Ehmke at nehmke@lcoc.com or call 402.435.2355.

Reach out to us with questions:

Name

Lincoln Young Professionals
Your People. Your Purpose. Your Place.

Theresa Arneal
Jeffrey S. Raikes School

James Brown
Community Volunteer

Nikki Bruns
Community Volunteer

Robert Bryant
Cada, Jewson & Bryant

Landon Friesen
AOI Corporation

Emily Hancock
Union Bank & Trust

Emily Haney
City of Lincoln

Jessie Hedrick
Community Action Partnership of Lancaster & Saunders Counties

Drew Hoffman
Lutz

Brooke Imm
Tenaska Marketing Ventures

Hunter Johnson
Nelnet

Tut Kailech
NeighborWorks Lincoln

Bree Lovell
Home Federal Bank

Thomas Machal
HBE LLP

Dylan MacKichan
Mutual of Omaha Investor Services

Jessica Medina
Northwestern Mutual

Alex Ober
Leadership Resources

Kayla Ostegard
Union Bank & Trust

Mason Ritnour
Engineering Technologies, Inc.

Brandon Robbins
DataVizion

Ben Smith
QPS Employment Group

Holly Smith
CBUSA

Katie Speer
Bryan Health