HARRISBURG, Pa. (February 18, 2025) – Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) announces its 2025 Executive Board, a dedicated team of leaders ready to continue HYP’s mission of making Harrisburg a better place to live, work, and play.
HYP’s Leadership consists of committee co-chairs and a board of directors, including a five-person executive team working alongside their Executive Director. With much excitement, HYP elected Ángela Capeles as President for 2025. Ángela, the CEO of Capeles Agency, has been a member of HYP since 2021 and served as co-Vice President in 2024.
Joining Ángela on the 2025 Executive Board Members are:
- Vice President: Kelly Smith, Community Engagement Officer with the PA State Police
- Vice President: Rebekah Harriger, Sr. Director of Career Services & Experiential Learning at Harrisburg University
- Treasurer: Andrew Essis, Partner at Flowers & Flowers CPAs
- Secretary: Alexandria DeCicco, Assistant Principal at Derry Township School District
Angela is excited for this new chapter, saying, “I’m incredibly honored to step into the role of President of Harrisburg Young Professionals for 2025. This year, my focus will be on taking what makes HYP so great and elevating it even further. I want to make sure that every member feels supported, seen, and excited to be part of this community.”
In 2025, HYP also retained 11 additional board members who bring passion and expertise to their roles:
- Adam Porter, Co-Founder, Pursuit Coworking and Annual Giving Officer at Girl Scouts in the Heart of PA
- Ali McFadden, Digital Marketing Specialist Members 1st Federal Credit Union
- Justine Fabian, Financial Advisor at Morgan Stanley
- Olivia Edwards Rindfuss, Senior Associate at Triad Strategies
- Sarah Knehr, Senior Project Manager at Quandel Construction Group
- Sydney Kyler, Chief Operating Officer at Enders
- Haley Baumgarten, Lead Therapist at Pennsylvania Psychiatric Institute
- Jenna Reitz, Community Engagement Coordinator at Members 1st Federal Credit Union
- Iqbal Singh, Senior Vice President at First National Bank
- Faniel Yemane, Senior Account Executive at iDrive Interactive, LLC
- Alecia Justice, President at e&e IT Consulting Services, Inc.
The new board officially began their terms on January 1, 2025, and HYP looks forward to welcoming several new members to their Board of Advisors later this year.
To celebrate this transition and reflect on the impactful efforts of 2024, HYP invites members and the community to their Annual Meeting on Wednesday, February 26th, at HACC. This event offers a chance to meet the new leadership, connect with members, and celebrate HYP’s ongoing contributions to Harrisburg’s growth
HARRISBURG, Pa. (11/19/24) – On Wednesday, November 12th, Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) celebrated its 6th annual 20 in Their 20s award night at the Hilton Harrisburg honoring 20 rising professionals in Central PA. Honorees were selected in July 2024 from over 60 submissions. These young leaders from industry, culture, and civic life are making a meaningful impact in their communities and workplaces.
Four of the nominees also received special distinctions:
- Rahul Nachnani – Tech Titan
- Blake Milbrand – Community Connector
- Noah Synder – Emerging Entrepreneur
- Conner Newkam-Ulrich – Arts Advocate
You can learn about all of the honorees in the October issue of TheBurg.
In addition to celebrating 20 of Harrisburg’s exceptional young leaders at the event, HYP also announced its 2024 Executive Board and incoming President, Angela Capeles. Angela is the Founder and CEO of Capeles Agency. Angela served as HYP’s Vice President in 2024.
This year’s event was presented by Members 1st Federal Credit Union. The event was also supported by Harrisburg Hilton, Harrisburg Regional Chamber & CREDC, Ridge Policy Group, Mid Penn Bank, Harrisburg University, Pursuit Coworking, TheBurg and Klock Entertainment
For more information about HYP and their upcoming events, please visit www.hyp.org.
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About Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP):
Since 1998, Harrisburg Young Professionals has been a driving force in making Harrisburg a better place to live, work, and play. Through various events, programs, and initiatives, HYP empowers young professionals to become leaders in their community and advocates for the positive growth and development of Harrisburg.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (August 16, 2024) – Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP), a leading network of young, dynamic professionals dedicated to enhancing the quality of life in Harrisburg, proudly announces the launch of its refreshed brand. This significant rebranding effort marks a pivotal step in HYP’s evolution, underscoring its commitment to innovation and community engagement.
“Our new brand reflects our commitment to innovation and our passion for creating a vibrant community for young professionals in Harrisburg,” said Meghan Bachmore, Executive Director of HYP. “This fresh look perfectly encapsulates the growth and transformation we’ve experienced since 1998.”
The refreshed brand embodies the principles of empowerment, community impact, engagement and connectivity. The new logo, a striking wordmark, evokes the nostalgic charm of classic bumper stickers while artistically mirroring the iconic skyline of Harrisburg. This vibrant visual identity not only pays homage to the city’s rich heritage but also highlights HYP’s commitment to building dynamic connections and driving positive change within the community. It’s a perfect blend of retro flair and modern energy, reflecting the spirited and forward-thinking nature of Harrisburg’s young professionals.
To celebrate this exciting new chapter, HYP will host a pop-up event on Friday, August 16th at the Susquehanna Art Museum Courtyard. This event will offer attendees the first glimpse of the new look and an opportunity to connect with fellow young professionals in the area.
For more information about HYP and their upcoming events, please visit www.hyp.org.
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About Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP):
Since 1998, Harrisburg Young Professionals has been a driving force in making Harrisburg a better place to live, work, and play. Through various events, programs, and initiatives, HYP empowers young professionals to become leaders in their community and advocates for the positive growth and development of Harrisburg.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (June 5, 2024) – Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) is thrilled to announce that nominations are open for the 6th Annual “20 in their 20s” Awards. This prestigious award celebrates the outstanding achievements and contributions of young professionals in the Harrisburg area who are making significant impacts in their communities and industries.
Nominations will be open from June 1st, 2024, to July 1st, 2024.
HYP’s “20 in their 20s” Awards recognize the most dynamic and influential young leaders, aged 20 to 29, who demonstrate excellence in their careers and a commitment to community service. These awards aim to highlight the next generation of leaders who are driving change and innovation across various sectors.
Any member of the public can submit a nomination, but nominees must meet the following requirements:
- Nominees must be between the ages of 20 and 29 as December 31, 2024
- Nominees must work or reside in the greater Harrisburg area
- Nominees should exhibit significant professional accomplishments, leadership skills, and community involvement.
To nominate a deserving young professional, please visit https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/6th20s and fill out the nomination form. The deadline for submissions is July 1, 2024. Self-nominations are welcome, as well as nominations from colleagues, mentors, and community members.
HYP will host its 6th Annual 20 in their 20s awards ceremony, sponsored by Members 1st Credit Union, on Tuesday November 12, 2024 at the Hilton Harrisburg to celebrate 20 rising young professionals who are making a significant impact in their communities and workplaces. HYP believes in giving back to your community and supports active minded professionals who contribute to making Central PA a better place to live, work and play.
Tickets for the event will go on sale September 1, 2024 with all proceeds benefiting HYP.
For sponsorship opportunities or any questions about the nomination process, please contact Meghan Bachmore, Executive Director at executive.director@hyp.org.
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ABOUT HARRISBURG YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) is a group of young, active, civic-minded professionals who have a clear vision of Harrisburg’s future as a great place to live, work, and play. We are part of a movement that is breathing new life into urban areas and lessening the negative impact of suburban sprawl. We also work to prevent the migration of educated young professionals to larger cities (often referred to as “brain drain”) and to encourage those who have left to return to the Central Pennsylvania region.
HARRISBURG, Pa. (4/23/2024) – Harrisburg Young Professionals (HYP) celebrated Earth Day by organizing their 24th Forster St Cleanup in Harrisburg. More than 50 volunteers helped revitalize the areas from 2nd to 7th Street, demonstrating their commitment to environmental stewardship and community pride. One dozen rose bushes and over 200 perennials were planted, hedges were trimmed, and trash and debris were removed.
HYP Executive Director said, “Because of groups like Friends of Midtown, Parks and Facilities, the Harrisburg Fire Bureau, PennDOT and many more coming together, we were able to give back over 150 hours of volunteer labor to beautify this main entrance into the city.”
In a notable first, this year’s cleanup efforts were followed by a lively block party to celebrate the hard work and dedication of the volunteers. Attendees enjoyed music, food, games, and camaraderie as they reflected on the day’s accomplishments and forged new connections within the community.
HYP’s City Living Committee Co-Chair, Erin Serre, said, “Our goal is to make Harrisburg a more beautiful place to live, work, and play. Projects like our annual Forster Street Cleanup allow members of our community to come together to accomplish that goal.”
The 24th Annual Forster St Cleanup not only beautified the local neighborhood but also served as a shining example of the positive impact that can be achieved through grassroots initiatives and community engagement. HYP extends their gratitude to all volunteers, sponsors, and partners who helped make this event a resounding success including Exclusive Platinum Sponsor: LCSWMA, Exclusive Block Party Sponsor: PSECU, Gold Sponsor: Keep Dauphin County Beautiful, Bronze Sponsor: PPL, and Community Partners: Backdraft Excavating, Pursuit Coworking, the City of Harrisburg, PennDOT, and the Harrisburg Fire Bureau.
For more information about Harrisburg Young Professionals and their upcoming events, visit www.hyp.org.