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The TYP Board of Directors unanimously voted for its FY24 Executive Committee leadership team as it kicks off this fiscal year and works on an ambitious strategy for continued growth and service to the Tucson community.
The organization will now be led by incoming Board President Emilia Eldridge, Human Resources and Organizational Development Manager at The University of Arizona. Emilia joined the board in 2020 and has managed our largest Teams, which has included the Nonprofit/Public Sector Team and the University of Arizona’s TYP Team. She is passionate about professional development, the inclusivity of the organization, and creating opportunities for people to build strong connections to the community.
Joining her is Jessica Sueskind (Vice President), COO of JKaiser Workspaces, and Jean Montano (Secretary), Senior Manager of Inside Sales & Customer Experience for Republic Services. Josh Bedyk (Treasurer), a Commercial Mining Representative for Caterpillar Inc., will continue in his role for another year, as well as Danielle Raines, the Associate Director of Development for the College of Engineering at the University of Arizona, who will continue as a Member At-Large. Filling the Immediate Past President seat for one year will be Devon Underwood, Founder and Principal of the Talent Store. TYP thanks Devon Underwood for her two years of committed service to TYP as Board President – it was a transformative period for the organization!
“The outgoing Executive team, working closely with our Executive Director Zach Yentzer, was critical to not only continuing the growth of membership and resources, but also in developing crucial infrastructure, such as Committee development, and initiatives like Expanding Our Impact, to continue growing our mission. While much of that work was behind the scenes, the impact of it will be felt by our entire membership in FY24!,” shared Eldridge.
Among the strategic initiatives the new Executive Committee will lead, a major focus will include hiring and supporting the next Executive Director in their transition into the organization as Zach Yentzer departs into a new community role, and the work of TYP’s Committees, including Philanthropy, Advocacy, Professional Development and more.
The Committee will also accelerate the work done by the last, in ensuring that TYP’s events, programming, and value represents and serves the racial, cultural, economic, geographic and career-stage diversity of its membership.
Outgoing executive board member Celeste Tracy (Member At-Large) has been a mainstay of the organization for a number of years and has played a critical role in expanding and growing Tucson Young Professionals into what it is today!
TYP also welcomed 6 new board members in June, from a very large cohort of quality applicants, including Mike Plunkett (Founder and Creative Principal, Good Boy Bentley Creative), Moises Gomez (President, MJ8 Partners), Drew Karczewski Jr. (Financial Services Professional, New York Life), Dan Goers (Owner, Go Bold Digital), Stefani Quihuis (Talent Acquisition Manager, Mister Car Wash), and Casey Carrillo, (Director of Strategic Partnerships, University of Arizona Center for Innovation).
“I believe this new leadership team confirms that we are without question the premier young professional organization in Southern Arizona, representing the most diverse array of sectors and industries and career stages. We are now working to use our standing in the community to be strong advocates for the needs and wants of the young professionals that live and work here,” said Zach Yentzer, Executive Director. “My thanks to Helena Riggins, our incredible Membership Experience Director, for her vital work, and to our Board who gives so generously of their time and talent.”
TYP is deeply grateful to three off-boarding Board members for their service and contributions over the last two years: Joshua Polacheck (Consultant), Nicole Barraza (Director of Governance and Outreach, Southern Arizona Leadership Council), and Heath Vescovi-Chiordi (Director of Economic Development, Pima County).
You can learn more about Tucson Young Professionals by visiting the website at: TucsonYoungProfessionals.com.
For press inquiries, please contact:
Emilia Eldridge
President, Tucson Young Professionals
contactus@tucsonyoungprofessionals.com
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