The Power of Showing Up

Imagine graduating from college and moving to Sioux Falls for your first job. Or maybe you’ve lived here for a while but are looking for ways to grow in your career and meet others doing the same.

You decide to attend your first Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network (YPN) event. That first event might be a tour of a local business you’ve never stepped inside before. You hear from leaders about what they do, how their organization impacts the community and the challenges they’re working to solve. You meet other young professionals who are just as eager to learn and get involved.

By the end of that one event, you’ve gained new insight about Sioux Falls, made a few connections and taken a step forward in your own professional growth.

Sometimes all it takes is showing up.

What is YPN? A Community for Growth

The Sioux Falls Young Professionals Network exists to help young professionals grow, connect and succeed. At its core, YPN is about personal and professional development and helping individuals build meaningful connections within the community.

Through a variety of events and programs, YPN creates opportunities for members to develop new skills, learn more about Sioux Falls and build relationships with peers across industries.

For the past 17 years, the program has helped shape the next generation of leaders in Sioux Falls. As a program of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce, YPN connects members to a broader network of business and community leaders while offering opportunities to engage with organizations that are shaping the future of the region.

YPN isn’t just about networking. It’s about building the next generation of community and business leaders.

Professional Development: Building Skills that Last

YPN offers a wide range of programming designed to help young professionals grow both personally and professionally.

One of those opportunities is Seat at the Table, an event that allows members to hear directly from experienced community leaders. These conversations provide insight into leadership, career development and the decisions that shape organizations and communities.

“Seat at the Table is one of my favorite YPN events because it offers an intimate setting to hear local business leaders share their stories. The Seat at the Table events have introduced me to incredible individuals and given me the opportunity to ask them questions, gain valuable advice and better appreciate the work they do in our community,” said Kendra Cersosimo, owner of Two54 Creative.

Another popular program is Community Connections Tours, where members get a behind-the-scenes look at organizations across Sioux Falls. These tours offer a deeper understanding of how local businesses operate and the impact they have on the community.

“Participating in the Community Connections Tours has deepened my appreciation for the incredible work happening right here in Sioux Falls,” said Linzie Stratmoen, Development and Marketing Associate for DakotAbilities.

Another event focused on community engagement is Our Sioux Falls, which highlights the work of local nonprofits. At this event, organizations share their mission, the impact they have in the community and ways people can get involved.

With so many nonprofits doing important work in the Sioux Falls area, the event helps young professionals find causes they care about and encourages them to take the next step by volunteering. Getting involved can help individuals develop new skills, expand their networks and gain valuable leadership experience.

YPN continues to look for new ways to support its members. A new initiative launching this year will introduce quarterly service projects in partnership with the Sioux Empire United Way, giving members additional opportunities to volunteer and give back to the community.

Leadership Opportunities within YPN

Beyond attending events, YPN members also have opportunities to develop leadership skills through the YPN Steering Committee.

The Steering Committee plays an important role in shaping the direction of the program. Members help guide YPN programming, set goals and plan for the future of the network. Serving on the committee provides hands-on experience with leadership, strategic planning and decision-making that can translate to other leadership roles in the community.

“I like serving on the Steering Committee because it gives me a hand in shaping the future professional landscape in Sioux Falls. I help with planning events and get young professionals in the same room to network and generate ideas for the future of our city. It has allowed me to speak at ribbon cuttings and get in front of the leaders in our city in a way I would not have otherwise,” said Antonio Casiello, Chief of Staff at Interstate Office Products.

Steering Committee members also have the opportunity to participate in a mentorship partnership with a member of the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. Through these partnerships, young professionals gain insight from experienced leaders while learning what it takes to serve effectively on boards and lead within the community.

Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders

One of YPN’s newest initiatives is the Next Generation Leadership Retreat, a program designed to help prepare young professionals to step into leadership roles in Sioux Falls.

The retreat focuses on leadership development, civic engagement and succession planning. Throughout the 24-hour experience, participants explore what leadership looks like in practice, reflect on their own leadership styles and identify the skills they want to continue developing.

Participants also discuss ways to become more involved in civic life and explore how young professionals can help address challenges facing the community.

Mentorship is another important theme of the retreat, with participants sharing the value of learning from experienced leaders and having trusted voices to guide them along the way.

“The best part about this retreat was the people,” said Melissa Dellman of SDN Communications. “It was inspiring to connect with others who are committed to making our community stronger and shaping the future of our city. The foresight our leaders and organizations show in creating and investing in a group like this is incredible. It’s another ingredient of the secret sauce that makes Sioux Falls special.”

The Future of Leadership in Sioux Falls

At its heart, YPN is about growth.

The experiences young professionals gain through events, leadership opportunities and community involvement help build skills that extend far beyond a single program. Members learn how to communicate effectively, lead teams, understand the needs of their community and build meaningful professional relationships.

Those experiences shape stronger professionals and more confident leaders.

When young professionals step outside their comfort zones, attend an event, serve on a committee or volunteer with a local organization, they are investing in themselves. Each new connection, skill and experience contributes to their personal and professional development.

At the same time, the community benefits. As young professionals grow in their careers and leadership abilities, they become the people guiding businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations into the future.

That is what YPN is designed to do. It creates opportunities for young professionals to grow as individuals, strengthen their careers and develop into the next generation of leaders for Sioux Falls.

Because sometimes the most important step in personal and professional growth is simply choosing to get involved.

At the same time, the community benefits. As young professionals grow in their careers and leadership abilities, they become the people guiding businesses, nonprofits and civic organizations into the future.

That is what YPN is designed to do. It creates opportunities for young professionals to grow as individuals, strengthen their careers and develop into the next generation of leaders for Sioux Falls.

Because sometimes the most important step in personal and professional growth is simply choosing to get involved.

Find Your Fit with YPN

YPN hosts events at all times of the day — before work, over lunch, and after hours — so it’s easy to find something that fits your schedule and interests.

There’s typically at least one event happening each week, so you can jump in whenever it works for you. Come to one or come to many — our recurring events are a great way to start meeting people and building connections.

Find upcoming YPN events in the Chamber News calendar included in each issue.

For the most up-to-date listings, visit the online calendar at siouxfallsypn.com.