March 28, 2024
CHI Health Center OmahaA Future for Everyone
Unite. Fortify. Connect.
Grow & Connect with Fellow Young Professionals
YP Summit is the largest young professionals’ conference in the country—and it’s happening right here in Omaha. This year’s conference will bring together 1,500+ young professionals for a day of education, inspiration and connection. You can expect compelling keynote speakers, thought-provoking breakout sessions and specially designed opportunities to engage with fellow young professionals.
Thanks for a great 2023 Summit! Watch the 2023 recap video!
Tickets
Single Ticket
For individuals- One (1) all-day conference ticket in open seating
- Access to the post-party
VIP Ticket
For individuals- One (1) all-day conference ticket in VIP, reserved seating
- Complimentary parking
- Access to the post-party
Group Ticket Package
Great for teams- Five (5) all-day conference tickets in open seating
- Access for each individual to the post-party
Corporate Sponsorship*
For brand presence- Ten (10) all-day conference tickets* seated at a reserved table
- Your company name listed on the event landing page
- Visual recognition at the event
- Access for each individual to the post-party
*$125 of each ticket is for goods and services, the remaining balance is considered a charitable deduction.
Registration guidance:
By Thursday, March 21, 2024, all attendees must be registered using their own primary email address. This is to ensure each individual receives access to the virtual event platform and/or mobile event app and all conference communications.
Reservations are due by Thursday, March 21, 2024. No refunds or cancellations will be granted after this date.
2024 Keynote Speakers
Michelle Poler
Fear-Facer, Entrepreneur, Author & Keynote Speaker
Michelle Poler
Michelle Poler is a Latina-Jewish entrepreneur, brand strategist, author, and professional keynote speaker.
She is the creator of the project 100 Days Without Fear, and founder of Hello Fears, a movement that has reached over 70 million people worldwide.
Today, her work as an author, digital educator, and social influencer continues to amplify her impact helping audiences turn fears into opportunities, comfort into growth, and ultimately go from being one more to becoming one of a kind.
Michelle’s best-selling books have been translated into 7 languages, and distributed in 4 continents:
1) Hello, Fears: Crush Your Comfort Zone and Become Who You’re Meant to Be
2) The Hello, Fears Challenge: A 100-Day Journal for Self-Discovery.
She has been invited to speak at The Global Leadership Summit, Google, P&G, ESPN, TEDx, Netflix, Microsoft, Meta among many others, and her work has been featured in: The TODAY Show, Forbes, CBS, CNN, Buzzfeed, Mashable, Huffington Post just to name a few.
Michelle holds a master’s degree in Branding from the School of Visual Arts in New York City, and early in her career, she worked as an Art Director for brands like Hershey’s, Wendy’s, AT&T, and Revlon.
When Michelle is not flying, speaking, or indulging in culinary experiences around the world, you’ll find her drinking matcha at home in Miami, and living fully with her husband, Adam, and their son, Noah.
Josh Sundquist
Motivational Speaker, Comedian and Bestselling Author
Josh Sundquist
Josh Sundquist is a motivational speaker, comedian and bestselling author who has shared his story with audiences across the world, ranging from schools to the White House to Fortune 50 companies like Facebook, Walmart, Apple, Spotify, Google, CVS and General Motors. Josh is an in-demand keynote speaker for groups of sales people, educators, student leaders, and health professionals.
At age nine, Josh was diagnosed with a rare form of bone cancer and given a fifty percent chance to live. He spent a year on chemotherapy treatments and his left leg was amputated. Doctors declared Josh cured of the disease at age thirteen and he took up ski racing three years later.
Josh trained for the next five years and in 2006 he was named to the US Paralympic Ski Team for The Paralympic Games in Turino, Italy. Today, Josh represents the United States in international competition as a member of the U.S. Amputee Soccer Team.
On the internet, Josh is best known for his viral photos, especially his Halloween costumes. His videos have been viewed over 1 billion times and he has over four million followers.
Josh’s first memoir, Just Don’t Fall, was a National Bestseller and his second memoir We Should Hang Out Sometime was optioned for movie rights by a division of Disney. His debut novel Love and First Sight was published in 2017 and fourth book, Semi-Famous was released in 2022. He is also an executive producer and writer on the television series, Best Foot Forward on Apple TV+. The series is inspired by his childhood.
2024 Breakout Speakers
Leia Baez
Leia Baez, an Omaha native, is the award-winning author of “A Star for Stella,” the Communications Director for Douglas County, and an inspirational speaker. While she spent most of her career telling other people’s stories as a journalist for the Omaha World-Herald newspaper, her own story of overcoming adversity went viral online, reaching more than 6.5 million people worldwide. Leia’s story inspires people of all backgrounds to embrace the difficult times in life and own who they are.
Alexis Bromley
Business Owner, Bromley & Co.
Alexis Bromley is a leading advocate for urban neighborhoods. Born and raised in Omaha, Alexis is the third generation of her family to be passionate about community service and advocacy. She is a proud Husker alum, having experienced the more promising football era of Coach Pelini and then, furthered her education with a master’s degree from UNO.
She offers her expertise as a consultant through her company, Bromley & Co. – providing crisis management, community relations, and non-profit services. Her dedication to making a difference is evident through her involvement on the boards of Culxr House and The Union for Contemporary Art.
Alexis is a lover of sports and actively participates in tennis and running. As a member of “The City We Run,” she is part of a group running every street in Omaha to document the city’s environment for the running community.
Justin Burhoop
As a Business Coach, Justin focuses on building relationships with Foundation Supportworks (FSI) contractors to help scale their businesses for long-term success. He provides coaching, training, and analysis to help FSI contractors achieve more than they ever thought possible. In a world where contractor experiences are mediocre at best, Justin helps companies challenge the status quo and provide remarkable experiences to deserving customers every day. Justin believes that a successful business starts at the leadership level with trust, pride, and camaraderie and approaches consulting with a people-first mentality. Justin has 10 years experience in coaching and management with a focus in sales, service, and leadership. Justin lives with his family in Omaha, Nebraska.
Jamie Carr
Jamie Carr Jamie Carr works as the Director of Social Media for Limb Lab where he shares client stories about overcoming adversity. He was born in Dublin, Ireland, with a severe birth defect known as proximal femoral focal disorder which results in the near-total absence of the femur. Jamie was fit with his first prosthesis at the age of one. Throughout childhood Jamie struggled with being bullied and often got in trouble when he fought back. Eventually he learned that humor was an excellent way to be accepted by others. After dropping out of high school, Jamie pursued a BA in Media Production and Film. He was on the forefront of social media and joined “The Try Channel” which grew to be one of Ireland’s biggest YouTube hits. Jamie moved to US in 2023 and married the love of his life, a Nebraska girl studying medicine.
Shari Collins
A life-long educator in Nebraska and Iowa, Shari Collins specializes in training, leadership development and DEI. With over 25 years in the DEI field, Shari enjoys speaking, consulting and training across the globe in various industries. In her most esteemed contract, the National Education Association, she interacts with educators across the country to promote more inclusive behaviors and positive schools for all. She graduated from Hastings College with a Bachelor of Arts, and from the University of Nebraska Omaha with a Master of Science. Shari loves reading and learning, caring for her plants, traveling, and spending time with her family, which includes 2 rescue Yorkie sisters. Shari is the DEI Director for HR-NE, which is the state affiliate of SHRM, serves on the Board of the Human Resource Association of the Midlands (HRAM), co-chairs the HRAM DEI Committee, chairs the HRAM IDEAL Award, is the HRAM Liaison to the CODE Initiative, and she is in her 3rd year on the Omaha Chamber of Commerce’s CODE Planning Team.
Lindy Fields, PhD
Lindy Fields, PhD is a neuropsychologist and founder of Brain Doc On Demand, where she equips individuals with science-based insights to improve brain health and wellbeing through online courses, coaching, and speaking engagements. She is also a clinician and a published author, with outlets including academic research journals, the Brain Doc On Demand blog, Mind Body Green, Her View From Home, and TODAY Parenting Team. She is on a mission to bring brain science to life, helping busy individuals build healthier and happier brains.
Brooke Janousek
Known for her charisma, generosity of spirit, and infectious energy, Brooke Janousek is the kind of leader others feel inspired by. Simply put, growth is Brooke’s passion as she excels in building brands, crafting performance marketing strategies, and developing individuals and teams toward transformative outcomes. Throughout her career, her portfolio boasts collaborations with well-known brands such as Disney, Toro, GE, and Bridgestone, alongside emerging startups. Her deep desire to connect and support others is the bedrock of Brooke’s relationships. Whether she’s traveling, taking a CrossFit class, or simply taking her dog Kip for a walk, she cherishes the connections she makes along the way. Brooke lives by her motto of “intentionally living life joyfully,” and always encourages everyone around her to see their own good and ability to actualize their potential if they bet on themselves.
Katie Kuhl
With over 15 years of experience executing talent strategies, Katie aligns people and data-centric initiatives that enhance organizational core values and maximize employee potential at every stage of their career journeys. She’s active in her community, having served on the board for ATD-Nebraska, and partnering with YES and the Greater Omaha Chamber to champion their events. She received Midland Business Journal and Staffing Industry Analysts (SIA) 40 under 40 awards (2020, 2023), and was listed on SIA’s Power Global Power 150 list in 2023.
Vincent Lau
Vincent Lau Vincent Lau is a Certified Prosthetist Orthotist and is the Market President for Limb Lab’s Omaha clinic that opened in March 2023. He enjoys blending medicine, engineering, and hand skills to restore mobility and independence for his clients by creating custom prosthetic and orthotic devices. In his 8 years of practice, Vince has learned that empathetic listening and attention to detail are key to providing the right device for a client. Vince has been active in his field has he advocates for legislation for better orthotic and prosthetic insurance coverage, collaborates with UNO’s Biomechanics department to study patient gait, and guest lectures to future healthcare professionals. Outside of work, Vince often plays boardgames, cooks with his wife, or tries to keep up with his two rambunctious kids.
Teresa Mardesen
Teresa Mardesen, the executive director of SHARE Omaha, is a connector working to enhance the greater good. Her community development initiatives are personally driven, whole-hearted and deeply impactful. At Farm Credit, Teresa created an employee volunteer program with the annual equivalent of 18 annual FTE’s, drove $8.6 million by delivering 3,400+ community grants, 100,000+ community volunteer hours over ten years, and $800,000+ in employee donation match dollars. She co-founded Biz4Good to increase community engagement and share programs with corporate peers. Now there are 72 companies actively involved in employee engagement, defined giving pillars, donations, volunteering and measurable corporate social responsibility impact. Recently, Teresa received the 2023 Women on a Mission Legacy Gala Award for her work in advancing pay equity.
Tori Pedersen
Tori Pedersen serves as Training and Recruitment Coordinator with TeamMates Mentoring Program. In her role, she recruits and trains new mentors to develop their mentoring skills and establish strong relationships with their mentees. Tori has a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Education from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. With 4 years of experience with CliftonStrengths and 1 year as a Gallup-Certified Strengths Coach, Tori uses strengths-based psychology to coach others in recognizing and leveraging their potential.
Dr. DérNecia Phillips
CEO & Founder, DAL Education & Care Solutions
Dr. DérNecia Phillips is an educational leader, activist, and poet who champions equity, education, and community. With almost 20 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and principal coach, she holds advanced degrees from Creighton University and the University of Nebraska at Omaha, where she earned her superintendent endorsement and doctorate in Educational Leadership. Dr. Phillips founded DAL Education & Care Solutions, which provides consultation, coaching, leadership development, strategic planning, speaking services and professional mentorship.
Jennifer Pool
Founder, Goldenrod Anecdotalist Society
Jennifer is an Omaha based storyteller, theatre artist, and engagement professional. She holds a MFA in theatrical design from the University of Georgia, and a MPA in nonprofit management from UNO. She is the founder of the Goldenrod Anecdotalist Society, a community based storytelling collective. She has trained with the Moth Radio Hour and has performed as a teller at The Nebraska Storytelling Festival, Stories of O, and at the Swapping Grounds at the National Storytelling Festical in Jonesborough, Tennessee.
Jessyca Vandercoy, LICSW
Jessyca Vandercoy, LICSW has spent the last 20 years in various roles as a social worker, administrator, clinician, educator, and policy advocate. Jessyca values instigating personal growth opportunities that result in service excellence, employee wellness and ethical leadership. Jessyca welcomes the challenge of dismantling what is not working and creatively and collaboratively building something new. Jessyca has a mission-driven spirit and bounds of creative energy that generate solutions.
Amber Watts
Amber has 11+ years of experience in Talent Development. No matter the industry, she implements a culture of learning wherever she goes. Currently, she is the Founder/CEO of Radical Learning. Amber is a builder and a collaborator at heart who combines humor and creativity with vulnerability and a bias for action. Through a mix of interactive exercises and inspiring stories of trials and failures, Amber will challenge the audience to embrace new ideas. Amber was recognized as an Emerging Training Leader by Training Magazine, 2019 and earned a Stevie Award for Sales Training/Coaching Program of the Year in 2020 and Excellence in Learning Leadership by ATD in 2024.
Alicia Webber, LICSW
Alicia Webber, LICSW has spent the last ten years in various roles as a social worker, administrator, therapist, and business owner. She has experience building and leading teams through high intensity, crisis work. Alicia’s leadership approach is effective at reducing employee resistance for change and increase staff confidence, skills and job satisfaction. Alicia has experience in developing standards of operation that result in outcome excellence.
Tracy Winkler
Tracy Winkler is not just familiar with change; she champions it. With roots deeply embedded in entrepreneurial soil, as a third-generation entrepreneur, Tracy’s journey spanning over 30 years is rich with experience in executive management, business ownership, coaching, consulting and speaking. She’s the heart and soul behind Elevate Growth Leadership Coaching, a testament to her relentless drive and commitment. From witnessing the ebbs and flows of her family businesses to owning and navigating multiple ventures herself, Tracy’s perspective on business is holistic. Tracy is more than a business leader; she’s a motivational powerhouse. Drawing from these experiences, she has honed her ability to identify core issues, pivot swiftly, and steer professionals and businesses toward transformative success. As a dedicated change agent, experienced consultant, and executive business coach, Tracy helps you marry smart business systems with people-first practices to create breakthroughs and accelerate growth. Tracy’s energy-infused approach combines radically candid conversations with actionable strategies. Her mission? To cultivate resilience, enhance productivity, and inspire breakthroughs for both individuals and organizations.
Sponsors
The YP Summit is made possible by the generous contributions of several organizations. Thank you for your support!
LEAD PARTNER
PREMIER PARTNER
YP CHAMPION SPONSORS
PERSONAL BRANDING STATION SPONSOR
ENGAGEMENT SPACE SPONSORS
SCHOLARSHIP SPONSOR
MEDIA SPONSOR
CORPORATE SPONSORS
Behavioral Health Education Center of Nebraska (UNMC)
Borsheims
Carson Wealth
CHI Health
Children’s Nebraska
Conagra
Fusion Medical Staffing
Gallup
Habitat for Humanity of Omaha
HDR
Holland Basham Architects
Hub International Great Plains
Lozier
McGrath North
Metropolitan Utilities District
Nebraska Medicine
Northern Natural Gas
Omaha Performing Arts
Streck
Turner Construction Company
Union Pacific
University of Nebraska Medical Center
Valmont
Viterra
Werner Enterprises
WoodmenLife
About
This is the marquee event for YPs in Omaha, the YP Summit brings more than 1,600 young professionals together – one place, at one time – to grow personally and professionally, to learn more about community and convert insight into real, positive action using our strategic imagination to see beyond today and redefine what we are collectively capable of accomplishing. The YP Summit began in 2005 as a conference to celebrate young professionals in our region.
YP Summit Promise
We will provide a positive experience that energizes young professionals, celebrates our many points of view, expands our networks and challenges ourselves—all with the goal of extending our talents. Together, we will invigorate our personal and professional passions and multiply our impact—taking our collective future to the next level. You will leave feeling empowered and excited to thrive right here, right now.
YP Summit Planning Committee:
The YP Summit is a young professional conference designed by young professionals. Members put in countless hours to ensure the event’s success. We appreciate them for making this event possible.
Photo and Video Release
By registering and participating in this event, you consent to the recording of your likeness, image and/or voice and authorize the Greater Omaha Chamber to use photographs, videos and audio recordings containing your likeness, image and/or voice in any medium for any purpose.
© 2017 Greater Omaha Chamber.