nonprofits where participants can see different leadership styles in action , and the ability to participate in community service projects . “ I like to go to a variety of places many people have never really been exposed to , or places that are just so different from each other so they can see what it takes to lead in a manufacturing company versus at a nonprofit ,” said Hoglund .
The NMYP really helped me kind of put roots down in this area . I think by going through this program , it has made the Northeast Metro feel more like I live here , I work here .
-Jack Livingston , Business Lender , Royal Credit Union
Among the places the group will be visiting in 2024 , Merrick , Inc , where participants will be able to engage with adults with developmental disabilities , and the White Bear Area Food Shelf where the participants come together to serve the community . Participants will also visit a number of local businesses that have participated in and supported the program since the beginning . It ’ s a true partnership as it brings people across the community together in ways that create value and meaningful engagement .
“ After the visits participants will often say , ‘ Wow , I didn ’ t know what this organization does ,’ then they come up with ways the places they work may be able to partner with other businesses or nonprofits in the community . They always seem to come up with things that maybe nobody was anticipating until we got there ,” said Hoglund .
The NMYP program is designed for people between the ages of 21 and 39 . While some of the participants are early in their professional journey , many are already several years into their careers , own businesses , and serve in leadership roles . It ’ s a great mix and everyone learns from each other .
Megan Kysylyczyn , 29 , of Maplewood has been the Food Systems Coordinator at the White Bear Area Food Shelf since August 2022 . She Megan Kysylyczyn learned about the
NMYP program from a co-worker who was part of the 2022 cohort .
“ The leadership team suggested I apply for the 2023 cohort , and I got in ,” she said . “ I appreciated the opportunities to meet people of similar ages who were young professionals in this part of town ,” said Kysylyczyn , who also commented on the value of learning how similar the issues young professionals in different industries deal with every day .
“ All of us have different career backgrounds , but are all navigating similar things , whether it be career related or personal life .” Kysylyczyn also appreciated her regular check-ins with Hoglund , who was able to offer good career advice .
“ She helped me understand how to learn and grow in my current position so I can ultimately move up in my career ,” she said . “ I plan to continue my involvement in NMYP going forward .”
The program isn ’ t just about helping people develop their leadership skills . It ’ s also extremely valuable for people like Kaylin Clement , Kaylin Clement 37 , who have only
experienced Vadnais Heights at a very surface level until recently .
Clement grew up in Oakdale , and while Vadnais Heights is just a few miles down I-694 , it wasn ’ t until accepting the position as Assistant City Administrator for Vadnais Heights in June 2022 , that she needed to find more ways to learn and connect to a City she hadn ’ t spent a lot of time in . She learned about NMYP at the end of 2022 , and was invited to be a member of the 2023 cohort .
“ At the time I was still really trying to establish connections in the community , learn about the different businesses and how all of that kind of intertwines with the city and the work that we do . I definitely feel that through this group , not only did I make friends and collaborate with people from all different sorts of Vadnais Heights entities , I was also able to visit different businesses , talk to owners , and learn about what they do . It was really very fun to be a part of that .”
The 2023 cohort visited IC System and learned all about the unique employee environment the debt collection company is trying to foster .
“ It was really cool to hear about not just what they do , but all the different internal events and activities that take place in order to help foster a positive work environment ,” said Clement , who also enjoyed the group ’ s visit to Merrick , Inc . “ At Merrick , we learned about the company ’ s growth and mission , and then got to walk around and see what they do firsthand . The Executive Director knew every single person ’ s name he encountered . That was really neat . You can read a company ’ s mission statement , but to actually see it , it ’ s different . It ’ s eye opening . It definitely makes you feel more connected to the community in which you are serving .”
In addition to IC System and Merrick , Inc ., the 2023 cohort also visited The Alchemist and Kellerman ’ s Event Center in White Bear Lake , and CHS Field in St . Paul .
Jack Livingston , 26 , also considers NMYP to have provided him with a great way to get connected to the community . “ One of my mentors Jack Livingston at work — Ed
Jambor , V . P . of Commercial Lending — recommended me for the program , and it has been a great experience ,” he said .
Livingston moved to the Northeast Metro about two years ago to accept a position as a business lender at the White Bear Lake branch of the Royal Credit Union . He was a member of the 2023 NMYP cohort . vhedc . com 35