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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
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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.

 

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