• Alternate Text
  • Loading

  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App
  • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Longboat
    • Longboat
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Opinion
  • East County
    • East County
    • News
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
  • Sarasota
    • Sarasota
    • News
    • Cops Corner
    • Real Estate
    • Business
    • Neighbors
    • Schools
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Siesta Key
  • Arts + Entertainment
    • Arts + Entertainment
    • Eat + Drink
    • Arts + Culture
    • Reviews
    • Things To Do
    • Black Tie
    • Spotlight Partners
  • Key Life
  • Galleries
  • More
    • More
    • Hurricane Season
    • Red Tide Map
    • Health Observed
    • Sand Bucket List
    • Calendar
    • Celebrations
    • Contests
    • Tributes
    • Submit a Celebration
    • Submit a Tribute
    • Public Notices
    • Classifieds
  • Valentine's Day Gift Guide
  • Health Observed
  • Crossword
  • Contests
  • Newsletters
  • e-Newspaper App

Sarasota young professionals ignite the spark

The Sarasota Young Professionals Group's annual YP Summit: Ignite fired up professionals on Aug. 10 at the Westin Sarasota.


  • By Shane Donglasan
  • | 5:10 p.m. August 10, 2018
  • Sarasota
  • Neighbors
  • Share

On Aug. 10, more than 100 young professionals gathered at the Westin Sarasota for the Third Annual YP Summit: Ignite. Hosted by the Sarasota Young Professionals Group, the summit focused on ways to grow personally, professionally, and as a leader in the community.

“We chose the theme ‘ignite’ to spark a motivation to better yourself as a person overall and light that flame inside of you,” said events coordinator Megan Neal.

The 2018 Young Professional of the Year award was also announced during the event. Rachel Denton was chosen out of 20 nominees for outstanding leadership in her profession and community outreach. Denton is the communications and voter outreach manager at the Sarasota County Supervisor of Elections and also serves on the Central West Coast Chapter of the Florida Public Relations Association Board of Directors.

Keynote speaker and CEO of Voalte Trey Lauderdale spoke about maintaining a work-life balance before attendees split into workshop groups.

Heather Williams awards the 2018 Young Professional of the Year award to Rachel Denton.
Heather Williams awards the 2018 Young Professional of the Year award to Rachel Denton.
Jessica Tanner and Enriqueta Balandra
Jessica Tanner and Enriqueta Balandra
Shamsky Noel, Jeffrey Loffredi and David Hodge
Shamsky Noel, Jeffrey Loffredi and David Hodge
Melissa Conway, Kristie Skoglund, Kristen Theisen and Samantha Kingslet
Melissa Conway, Kristie Skoglund, Kristen Theisen and Samantha Kingslet
Sasha Lioce, Jaime Estes and Colleen Bankuty
Sasha Lioce, Jaime Estes and Colleen Bankuty
Brandon McCallister and Allison Kummery
Brandon McCallister and Allison Kummery
Murray Devine, K.J. Vordan and Elisabeth Anderson
Murray Devine, K.J. Vordan and Elisabeth Anderson
Renne Ryckman and Cassie Wegeng
Renne Ryckman and Cassie Wegeng
Ben Jewell-Plocher and George Hemcher
Ben Jewell-Plocher and George Hemcher
Lauren Meyer and Megan Neal
Lauren Meyer and Megan Neal
Elisabeth Anderson, Colleen Bankuty and Sarah Dietrich
Elisabeth Anderson, Colleen Bankuty and Sarah Dietrich
Sarasota Young Professionals Group Chairman-elect Rob Young kicks off the summit.
Sarasota Young Professionals Group Chairman-elect Rob Young kicks off the summit.

 

Latest News

Capt. A.J. Grande operates a "six pack" fishing charter business who often picks up and drops off customers at Nora Patterson Park.
  • February 5, 2026
Permits will be required for charter boat operators using county parks
District 2 Commissioner Penny Gold walks in a parade in 2021.
  • February 5, 2026
Longboat commissioner appointed to National League of Cities committee
The house at 3638 San Remo Terrace overlooks the north Siesta Key bridge.
  • February 5, 2026
Rock star sells Sarasota estate for $7.5 million
Philip DiMaria says “there is a great opportunity here for St. Armands to evolve and become incredible again.”
  • February 5, 2026
Urban planner shares bold ideas to solve flooding on St. Armands

Sponsored Health Content

Sponsored Content

The best of Your Observer, delivered directly to your inbox

Get the latest in news, sports, schools, arts and things to do in Sarasota, Siesta Key, Longboat Key and East County.

Sign Up

Latest in Neighbors

Sarasota nonprofit Casting For The Kids helps children with cancer and their families breathe a little easier.
  • February 6, 2026
Annual fishing tournament casts for a cause
Thomas Modly adjusts the flagpoles as the sun sets.
  • February 5, 2026
Patriots Pier in Siesta Key receives new flagpoles
Jennifer Rominiecki brought the living museum concept to Marie Selby Botanical Gardens when she was named president and CEO in 2015.
  • February 5, 2026
Botanical gardens' potential lured Rominiecki family to Sarasota
Perfectly in sync, Ski-A-Rees skiers Natalie Brannon, Debbie Brannon, Ella Walker and Steph Ouellette skim across Sarasota Bay, blending athleticism and grace.
  • February 5, 2026
From flips to ballet, Ski-A-Rees have done it all on the water since 1957
Sarah Firstenberger was named CEO of the Siesta Key Chamber of Commerce in June.
  • February 4, 2026
Siesta Key Chamber’s new leader takes the helm
Chamber launches summertime internship program
  • February 4, 2026
Chamber launches summertime internship program

App

Download the Your Observer app

Stay in the know with the latest local news. Any device, anytime, anywhere.

DOWNLOAD NOW

Contact

  • 1970 Main St.
  • Third Floor
  • Sarasota, FL 34236
  • Phone: 941-366-3468
  • FPN Verified

Extra, Extra!

  • Newsletters
  • App
  • Crossword
  • Contests

more

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Classifieds
  • Advertise
  • Rack Locations
  • Jobs
  • Privacy Policy
  • Accessibility Options

sister sites

  • Business Observer
  • Jax Daily Record
  • Orange Observer
  • Accessibility Options
  • Copyright © 2026 Observer Media Group Inc., All Rights Reserved
Sign Up for Daily Headlines

A daily dose of news from Longboat Key, East County, Sarasota and Siesta Key.

Sign Up for In Case You Missed It

A Saturday dose of the week's top stories from Sarasota, Longboat Key and East County.


The Your Observer App is Here!

Get local news you can trust — now on your phone, tablet or laptop. Fast. Free. Easy to Use.
Stay informed, wherever you are.

Download Now