Future 15 Young Professionals

Honoring the young professionals who are strengthening the Fox Cities!

The Fox Cities Future 15 Awards is an annual event hosted by the Fox Cities Chamber's Pulse Young Professionals Network. Each year's diverse, inspiring class of 15 honorees hails from all over the Fox Cities, serves in a variety of professional and philanthropic roles, and has a unique vision for strengthening this community. The light these YPs shine plays an integral role in attracting and retaining talent in the area. In addition, an annual "YP of the Year" award is presented to a Future 15 alumnus -- expanding the recognition and influence of the Fox Cities' talented young professionals. The judging panel will be a composite of past Young Professional of the Year recipients and upstanding business leaders in the Fox Cities region.

Future 15 selection criteria:

• Live or work in the Fox Cities*
• 40 years or age or younger
• Participation in community service

The 2022 Future 15 Awards will take place on Thursday, December 1, 2022 at Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel

The 2021 honorees were celebrated at a special event on Thursday, Dec. 9 at The 513 in Appleton.

Congratulations to:

• Kaelyn Ahola, Brand and Communications Coordinator, Girl Scouts of the Northwestern Great Lakes
• Brittany Beers, Optometrist, InSight Eye Care
• Dawn Bergs, Marketing and Community Relations Director, Aascend Chiropractic
• Dale Bushman, Vice President and Business Banking Relationship Manager, Old National Bank
• Brian Elmer, Vice President and Wealth Advisor, First Business Bank
• Craig Gloudemans, Vice President of Finance, Community First Credit Union
• Michelle Leiting, Human Resources Development Manager, Plexus Corp.
• Stephanie Lenz, Travel Training Specialist, Valley Transit
• Kara McCanna, Luthier, Heid Music
• Luke Schiller, Director of Education, Heckrodt Wetland Reserve
• Amber Schroeder, Executive Director, Harbor House
• Jesus Smith, Assistant Professor, Lawrence University
• Allison Sonsthagen, Director of Marketing Technology and Analytics, ThedaCare
• Lexi Woerishofer, Director of Human Resources and Community Engagement, Van Zeeland Nursery & Landscape
• Pa Ja Yang, Hmong Family Outreach Specialist, Appleton Public Library

YP of the year

Congratulations to the 2021 YP of the year, Ryan Batley, General Manager, Best Western Premier Bridgewood Resort Hotel and Conference Center. YP of the Year selection criteria:

• Past Future 15 honoree
• 40 years of age or younger
• High level of character, integrity, and personal/professional values
• Noteworthy professional achievement and growth
• Demonstrated commitment to serving as a role model for other young professionals
• Continued participation in community service

*The Fox Cities Chamber serves all of the Fox Cities communities within the counties of Outagamie, Calumet, and the northern portion of Winnebago.

Thank you to our 2022 Sponsors:

Jen Bauer, Miron Construction
Megan Healy, DiRenzo Law
Kelly Hicks, YouthGo
Kelly Kelly, Herrling Clark Law Firm
Monica Klaeser, City of Appleton
Korey Krueger, Panther Baseball Club & Players Choice
Ryan Lindeman, Miller Electric Mfg.
Jill Murphy, motionWorks Physical Therapy
Thomas Nelson, Outagamie County
Renee Read, Remley & Sensenbrenner
Joy Sams, Thrivent
Ryan Thompson, Thompson Law, LLC
Wendy Vander Zanden, Community Action for Healthy Living
John Weyenberg, Fox Cities Habitat for Humanity
Joel Zeiner, Inspire Fitness Studio