2023 YPC Annual Gala
Name:
2023 YPC Annual Gala
Date:
August 5, 2023
Time:
6:00 PM - 10:00 PM CDT
Registration:
Sorry, public registration for this event has been closed.
Event Description:
Each year young professionals and business leaders come together to reflect, connect, and engage with the Greater Des Moines Community.
This year our theme is Continuing a Legacy. We know we are all responsible for helping advance meaningful opportunities for the future leaders of tomorrow, just as we receive the opportunities from those who have trailblazed a path before us. So how will you continue a legacy? Our keynote speakers will have an informal conversation on what it means to create and continue a legacy in your community as well as how seemingly small actions can have large ripple effects.
The formal gala will include a networking hour, dinner, YPC review and preview, keynote presentation, and music.
Note: If you're not currently a YPC member, you can join for one year for $35 and purchase the ticket at the membership rate. Black tie attire is encouraged. Registration is required. Registration closes July 29th at 11:59 pm!
About our Keynote Speakers
Bridget Cravens-Neely is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Throughout her career, Cravens-Neely has held various roles from formal people leadership to individual contributor. Her experience includes positions in administration, operations, sales, service, project management, and organizational leadership. These roles have established her brand as a thought leader who is collaborative, entrepreneurial, and innovative. Cravens-Neely also co-owns with her husband Bottle & Bottega Des Moines, a wine and art party business located in Downtown Des Moines. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Illinois State University and a Masters of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from Keller Graduate School of Management.
At a very young age, Cravens-Neely was taught the value of possessing a strong character ? particularly one that emulates a ?paying it forward? attitude. In addition to her career, she has raised three sons and is very active in the greater Des Moines community. Her passion to serve others comes from family influences. She credits her mother and the people who opened doors for her and invested in her as the reason she has achieved success in her life.
Cravens-Neely has made an impact through her professional and civic work in the Des Moines community. In 2017, Cravens-Neely received the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute?s 2017 Alumni Volunteer Award. She currently serves in organizations like the Iowa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; the Des Moines Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute; Women Lead Change (Central Iowa Conference); Many Shades of Colour Conference; the Willkie House; the YMCA MLK Prayer Breakfast Steering Committee; and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). She also serves on the Business Record?s Racial Equity Advisory Board and the Chrysalis Foundation?s Board of Directors.
Julian Neely joined United Way of Central Iowa in July 2022 as the United League Affinity Group Director. Julian is a community leader and scholar. His background includes engaging in community conversations, workplace fundraising, volunteerism, and serving as a contributing member to goal- specific committees and task forces.
Julian continues to invest in the empowerment and improvement of his community. Throughout his time, Julian has contributed to plans and programs built to improve Black and Brown college student retention at land-grant institutions, fostered projects that improves representation of Black and Brown people at a predominately white institutions, and spearheaded community events and programs for academic, nonprofit, and corporate organizations. Julian has solidified his civic commitment by serving within boards, committees, task forces, collectives, and nonprofits that pride themselves of uplifting the Black-American or African American community, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Black Student Alliance, ISU Student Government, DSM USA 4 Equity Collective, The Supply Hive, Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement Program and more.
Currently, Julian serves as the President of the Zeta Kappa Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. leading the chapter into a new era of civic and social impact. Additionally, he serves as a board member of the Supply Hive and ZKL Education Foundation, while serving as the brand and marketing chair for both organizations. Julian?s passion and work has led him to being recognized as the 2021 Wells Fargo Black History Month Awardee by the Iowa Black Caucus, 2018 Iowa State University Student Leader of the Year, and 2017 Visionary Award by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Foundation.
This year our theme is Continuing a Legacy. We know we are all responsible for helping advance meaningful opportunities for the future leaders of tomorrow, just as we receive the opportunities from those who have trailblazed a path before us. So how will you continue a legacy? Our keynote speakers will have an informal conversation on what it means to create and continue a legacy in your community as well as how seemingly small actions can have large ripple effects.
The formal gala will include a networking hour, dinner, YPC review and preview, keynote presentation, and music.
Note: If you're not currently a YPC member, you can join for one year for $35 and purchase the ticket at the membership rate. Black tie attire is encouraged. Registration is required. Registration closes July 29th at 11:59 pm!
About our Keynote Speakers
Bridget Cravens-Neely is the CEO of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Iowa. Throughout her career, Cravens-Neely has held various roles from formal people leadership to individual contributor. Her experience includes positions in administration, operations, sales, service, project management, and organizational leadership. These roles have established her brand as a thought leader who is collaborative, entrepreneurial, and innovative. Cravens-Neely also co-owns with her husband Bottle & Bottega Des Moines, a wine and art party business located in Downtown Des Moines. Her educational background includes a Bachelor of Science degree in Mathematics from Illinois State University and a Masters of Business Administration in Entrepreneurship from Keller Graduate School of Management.At a very young age, Cravens-Neely was taught the value of possessing a strong character ? particularly one that emulates a ?paying it forward? attitude. In addition to her career, she has raised three sons and is very active in the greater Des Moines community. Her passion to serve others comes from family influences. She credits her mother and the people who opened doors for her and invested in her as the reason she has achieved success in her life.
Cravens-Neely has made an impact through her professional and civic work in the Des Moines community. In 2017, Cravens-Neely received the Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute?s 2017 Alumni Volunteer Award. She currently serves in organizations like the Iowa Alumnae Chapter of Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.; the Des Moines Chapter of The Links, Incorporated; Greater Des Moines Leadership Institute; Women Lead Change (Central Iowa Conference); Many Shades of Colour Conference; the Willkie House; the YMCA MLK Prayer Breakfast Steering Committee; and Minorities in Agriculture, Natural Resources, and Related Sciences (MANRRS). She also serves on the Business Record?s Racial Equity Advisory Board and the Chrysalis Foundation?s Board of Directors.
Julian Neely joined United Way of Central Iowa in July 2022 as the United League Affinity Group Director. Julian is a community leader and scholar. His background includes engaging in community conversations, workplace fundraising, volunteerism, and serving as a contributing member to goal- specific committees and task forces.Julian continues to invest in the empowerment and improvement of his community. Throughout his time, Julian has contributed to plans and programs built to improve Black and Brown college student retention at land-grant institutions, fostered projects that improves representation of Black and Brown people at a predominately white institutions, and spearheaded community events and programs for academic, nonprofit, and corporate organizations. Julian has solidified his civic commitment by serving within boards, committees, task forces, collectives, and nonprofits that pride themselves of uplifting the Black-American or African American community, including Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Black Student Alliance, ISU Student Government, DSM USA 4 Equity Collective, The Supply Hive, Ronald E. McNair Post baccalaureate Achievement Program and more.
Currently, Julian serves as the President of the Zeta Kappa Lambda chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc. leading the chapter into a new era of civic and social impact. Additionally, he serves as a board member of the Supply Hive and ZKL Education Foundation, while serving as the brand and marketing chair for both organizations. Julian?s passion and work has led him to being recognized as the 2021 Wells Fargo Black History Month Awardee by the Iowa Black Caucus, 2018 Iowa State University Student Leader of the Year, and 2017 Visionary Award by the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Educational Foundation.
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