Young Professionals

The Greater Mankato Young Professionals program gives young professionals age 21 - 39 an opportunity to engage with one another while focusing on learning, socializing and community engagement.

Join Today
The Greater Mankato Young Professionals hold one social and one professional development event per month. Annual participation in the program is $300 per individual (prorated monthly for anyone who joins during the year) and includes admission to all activities and events (a few special activities may be subject to additional charges). YP applicants must be employed by a business that is an Engaged through Diamond level member of Greater Mankato Growth, and also included as a representative in their businesses' membership. Contact Shannon Gullickson at 507-385-6656 with membership questions. Click here for a Membership Application.

Annual Participation Includes

Monthly social events
Monthly professional development sessions to build your skills
Access to mentoring opportunities
Opportunities to serve on committees and community initiatives
Subscription to the monthly YP E-Newsletter

Apply Today! YP application

Upcoming Events
All YP's are encouraged to register for the following upcoming events (events in red are open for registration):

May

June

July

Upcoming 2013 events

2013 Spring/Summer Mentorship Program

Social Event: Historic Pub Crawl on South Front St. May 23

Professional Development Event: "Ready, Set, Climb! Preparing for a Promotion" June 6

Social Event: Blue Earth River Experience w/Bent River Outfitter June 27

Social Event: Moondogs Game July 25

Professional Development Events: Team Building, Working With Difficult People, Winning Over Customers, Business Tours, Local Government Panel, Education Panel

Social Events: Golf Scramble/Golf Lesson, Hiking, Bean Bag Tourney/Beer Tasting, Holiday Party, Curling

Another YP Mentorship Program is currently underway! This four-month program consists of an ongoing series of structured lunch meetings with community business leaders! This sessions' mentors are:

•Julia Ketcham Corbett - Attorney, Blethen Gage & Krause

•Jennifer Pfeffer - Executive Director, Ecumen Pathstone Living

•Rich Grace - Chief Administrative Officer, Mayo Clinic Health System

•Keith Stover - President, South Central College

This session's dates are: April 25, May 23, June 20 and July 25.

Another session will be planned for August-November, 2013. If you are interested in participating, contact Shannon Gullickson.

2013 Officers

Chair: Mary Kaus, Cambria
Vice Chair/Membership Chair: AJ Menden, Special Olympics Minnesota
Professional Development Chair: Nathan Hanel, Capstone Publishing
Community Service Chair: Jesse Schott, Paulsen Architects
Social Committee Chair: Dallas Willman, I & S Group

Benefits to Participants

The program gives people who are newer in their careers and the business community an opportunity to meet others. Participants also bring in additional business opportunities through the connections they make within the community.

Participants will:

Develop relationships with more than 140 fellow young professionals
Expand business connections while promoting their business
Grow leadership skills
Increase engagement in the community
Have fun!

Benefits to Employers
Once Young Professionals get a taste of all there is to do here and establish a network of friends and colleagues in the area, they are more likely to stay and enjoy life in Greater Mankato.
“Employers have found the program to be a very cost-effective development and retention strategy.”
- Erik Leagjeld, Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP