Brandon Leuallen, The Business Times

Curiosity, purpose and connection were central themes at this year’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) Summit and BestSlope NextGen Awards, hosted by the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce on Oct. 22 at Colorado Mesa University.

More than 150 emerging leaders from across many sectors on the Western Slope gathered for a day of networking, learning and recognition. The summit aimed to help participants grow as leaders while celebrating 20 standout professionals who already are making an impact in their careers and communities.

“Sometimes when young professionals leave the area, it’s because they feel disconnected,” Chamber CEO Candace Carnahan said. “When you get everyone in a room of 150 people and show them that there absolutely is a place for them here, it changes that. They realize they’re surrounded by peers who are navigating the same things. That sense of connection helps people stay and grow right here in the Grand Valley.”

She added, “These are faces we don’t always see at our regular business events. We wanted to dig deeper than just the usual decision-makers and leaders. These young professionals are the ones keeping doors open and driving the day-to-day work that makes our economy function.”

Breakout sessions and celebrating next generation

The morning began with a keynote titled “Why Purpose Isn’t Found, It’s Built” presented by Marty Imes and Wes Love of CultureStoke. They encouraged attendees to see purpose not as something discovered, but as something developed through intentional effort and small, consistent steps.

After the keynote, attendees joined a series of breakout sessions covering topics such as personal branding, communication and the future of work, each led by local professionals and business leaders. The afternoon included networking activities, lunch with cybersecurity expert Kurtis Minder and a closing reflection session before the evening BestSlope NextGen Awards Ceremony.

The evening’s BestSlope NextGen Awards Ceremony honored 20 young professionals recognized for leadership, innovation and community involvement.

Among this year’s honorees were:

Olivia Pelaez, communications specialist, Mesa County.

Johnny McFarland, assistant to the city manager, City of Grand Junction.

Hunter McKie, digital marketing specialist, Family Health West.

Jessica Mays, development and community relations director, Community Food Bank.

Briana Madison, Heirlooms regional director, HopeWest.

Jordan Koos, events and education coordinator, Western Colorado Contractors Association.

Mindy Gutierrez, assistant vice president of workforce development, CMU Tech.

Beau Flores, vice president of Western Colorado affairs, 76 Group.

Honorees were introduced with a short profile before taking the stage to receive their awards. Award recipients represented a wide range of industries, including public service, health care, business and nonprofit leadership.

“These are individuals already making a huge impact,” Carnahan said. “They represent what’s next for our community.”

Investing in the Future

The Young Professionals Network of Mesa County has grown to more than 300 members and provides year-round opportunities for development and connection. Membership includes monthly luncheons with local leaders, workshops and volunteer opportunities.

Carnahan highlighted the low cost of joining YPN. Membership costs $40 per year for CMU students and alumni, and $70 for nonmembers.

Do you want to become a speaker?

Not only does the Young Professionals network bring young professionals together to find peers and build their personal network, it helps them build skills, including offering opportunities to share their expertise as they grow.

According to Carnahan, the chamber provides several entry points for aspiring speakers through its Young Professionals Network.

“Anyone who’s interested in sharing their passion and knowledge with our young professionals should reach out to us,” she said.

She explained that the chamber of commerce can connect people with speaking opportunities that fit their background and goals.

“Whether it’s the summit or one of the monthly lunch conversations, we love creating those pathways,” she said. “We’re always happy to keep cultivating that list.”

YPN hosts monthly lunch sessions and after-hours events where community members can start by leading short discussions, serving as mentors, or co-hosting panels before taking on larger speaking roles.

Carnahan said the chamber acts as a matchmaker for emerging speakers.

“If you’re passionate about helping cultivate and support our young professionals, we want to know about it,” she said. “There’s such a diverse amount of opportunities, and we can help match you with what makes the most sense for you.”

Advice from the keynote speaker 

“The biggest advice I give people if they want to get into speaking is find your message,” said Wes Love, who co-founded CultureStoke and delivered the opening keynote “Why Purpose Isn’t Found, It’s Built.”

Love said aspiring speakers should focus on what truly drives them.

“Have a big idea about how you want to make the world a better place, not just how to make more money,” he said. “We get one time on this spinning rock, so you might as well make a legacy and an impact. What do you care about? Find a compelling message and then start shouting it from any rooftop you can get on.”