Mountain Air Roasters
Wednesday, January 8, 2025
7:00 - 8:30 AM
126 N. 12th Street, Grand Junction​
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No registration needed - just stop in any time on your way to work! The cost of your morning beverage will be covered by us this time!
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Candace Carnahan, CEO
Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce
Wednesday, January 15, 2025
12:00 - 1:00 PM
360 Grand Ave​
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Free lunch for members. $10 entry free for non-members charged at the door.
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Warehouse25sixty-five
Kitchen + Bar
Thursday, January 30, 2025
5:30 - 7:00 PM​
2565 American Way, Grand Junction
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​No registration needed - just stop in any time for a casual networking experience with peers! First drink included with membership!
YOUNG PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR
Andrea Lopez
External Affairs Manager
Ute Water Conservancy District
Andrea Lopez, a Palisade native, graduated from Colorado Mesa in 2017 with a business administration degree focused on entrepreneurship and earned a Master of Science in Organizational Leadership from Colorado State University Global Campus in 2021. She began her career at the Ute Water Conservancy District as an External Affairs Assistant and was promoted to External Affairs Manager, where she emphasizes education and community outreach on water conservation.
Andrea has significantly impacted the Western Colorado Children's Water Festival, making it the largest of its kind in Colorado, and was selected for the Urban Landscape Water Conservation Task Force to promote outdoor water conservation. Additionally, she serves on the boards of the Eureka! Science Museum and the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce, and her six-year tenure with the Young Professionals Network showcases her commitment to fostering a vibrant community young professionals.
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS OF THE QUARTERS
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Young Professional of the Quarter is an award that honors Mesa County young professionals within YPNMC who have done an exceptional job representing young professionals or has made great achievements while being a member. The Board of Directors is always seeking nominations for the next Young Professional of the Quarter!
 Emily Kallina from Perdita's Coffee as the 3rd YP of the Quarter for 2024. |  Matt Bell from the Grand Junction Economic Partnership as our 2nd Young Professional of the Quarter for 2024. |  Gabriela Garayar, Western Slope Development Manager with Food Bank of the Rockies, was recognized as the first quarter YP of the Quarter for 2022. |
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 Renaya Demarest, Account Director at GROWL Agency, was recognized as the Young Professional of the Quarter for October 2021. |
TESTIMONIALS
CANDICE WALTON
AMERIPRISE FINANCIAL SERVICES
"I have met all my closest friends through YPN. When I was new to the Grand Valley, this is where I found people who enjoy learning."
ASHLEY WOODMANSE
KONICA MINOLTA
"YPN is a great networking opportunity. Plus, it looks good to current and future employers that want to see a history of community involvement and leadership."
BEVERLY DURFEE
FREELANCE WRITER
"The candidate forum YPN put on was so helpful. I'm so glad I got to go to an unbiased presentation of the candidates."
THROUGHOUT THE YEARS
 After Hours - YPN + GJ Lions Club |  Before Hours |  After Hours - Paint & Pour at Angelo's Pottery |
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 Lunch Conversation - Mayor Anna Stout |  Before Hours - Sugar & Ice |  September After Hours - Warehouse 2565 |
 Lunch Conversation - Spencer Ingram |  Before Hours - Spoons |  Lunch Conversation - Dr. Hill |
 Before Hours - Coffee Trader |  After Hours - Palisade Brewing Company |  Lunch Conversation - Anna Nichols |
 Before Hours - Mountain Air Roasters |  After Hours - Highlands Distillery |  Before Hours - Sweet Kiwi Bakery |
 Lunch Conversation - Dr. Corey Ciocchetti |  Before Hours - Kiln |  Before Hours - Kiln Coffee Bar |
 Lunch Conversation - Daily Sentinel |  Lunch Conversation - Jenn Moore |  Lunch Conversation - Jay Seaton |
 Before Hours - Roasted |  2018 YPN Christmas Party |  Before Hours - My Favorite Muffin |
 Lunch Conversation - Girl Scouts |  Lunch Conversation - Kevin & April |  Lunch Conversation - Pete Baier |
 Before Hours - Main Street Bagels |  YPN Group |  Lunch Conversation - John McConnell, Eureka Science Museum |