What does the future of Western Colorado look like? On August 19th, it looked a lot like 180 young professionals gathered at Colorado Mesa University to learn, connect, ask important questions, and consider the role they want to play in what comes next.
Now in its fourth year, the Western Slope Young Professionals Summit has grown into the region’s signature professional development event for young professionals. This year’s theme, Purpose. Place. Possibility., challenged attendees to think not only about where their careers are headed, but how they lead, communicate, and contribute to the community they call home.
Through keynotes, breakout sessions, interactive activities, and meaningful conversations, the day created dedicated space for professional and personal growth.
Opening keynote speaker Jennifer Reiser turned the focus inward, helping attendees better understand their individual leadership styles, strengths, and opportunities for growth. Participants explored how different personalities approach leadership and collaboration and how greater self-awareness can strengthen the way we work with others.
One attendee shared that the session “brought to light my leadership strengths and what I need to work on to strengthen,” while another said it offered “a deeper look into myself and who I like to work well with.”
In the Difficult Conversations breakout session, Amy Jordan of Community Hospital and Brandon Daniels of Counseling & Education Center gave attendees practical tools for approaching challenging conversations with greater clarity and less defensiveness.
Attendees appreciated having actionable steps they could use immediately, including ways to resolve conflict “without being accusatory” and opportunities to practice through group scenarios. The takeaway was practical: difficult conversations may be unavoidable, but we can become better equipped to have them.
The afternoon brought a different energy with Tiffany Malone’s “Intentional Influence” keynote.
Through personal storytelling and real-world examples, Malone challenged attendees to consider how they show up in their interactions with others and the influence they create in the process. Her message explored how creating trust, slowing down, listening, and giving people space can change an interaction and how those principles extend into leadership, workplace culture, and relationships.
The sentiment from attendees was clear: the session was truly inspiring. Participants appreciated Malone’s practical approach and the way she challenged them to think differently about their own influence as leaders.
The Summit concluded with a community leadership panel moderated by Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce President & CEO Candace Carnahan, bringing together seasoned community leaders and young professionals, including City Manager of Grand Junction, Mike Bennett, Hilltop Community Resources President & CEO Will Hays, and members of the Young Professionals Network Board.
For Hays, participating was an opportunity to invest in a generation of professionals finding their own place in the Grand Valley much as others once did for him.
“I prioritize connecting with young professionals because I was fortunate when I was a young professional to have community leaders take time to connect with me,” Hays shared. “They helped me see a future in the Grand Valley that I wouldn’t have seen without their mentorship.”
Hays also noted that the connection works both ways, helping him continue to grow and stay relevant in his role as President & CEO of Hilltop Community Resources.
That exchange between generations of leaders carried through the Summit. Leonela Castellon of SEA Strategy and Design and YPN Board Member reflected, “One of my biggest takeaways from the YP Summit was not to define ourselves by our job titles, but by the skills we want to build, the problems we care about, and the impact we hope to make.”
For attendees, those conversations also inspired thoughts about their own role in Western Colorado’s future. One shared that it “opened my eyes to getting more involved in the community. Becoming a young leader is a goal.”
The celebration continued into the evening with the BestSlope NEXTGen Awards, honoring rising leaders already making an impact across the Western Slope. It was a fitting conclusion to a day centered on professional growth, not simply talking about the region’s next generation of leadership, but recognizing individuals actively stepping into it.
Bringing an event of this scale together takes a community of its own. The Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce extends its appreciation to the speakers, volunteers, community partners, Young Professionals Network, and everyone who contributed to the fourth annual Summit, as well as Title Sponsors Alpine Bank, Community Hospital, and FCI Constructors for their support.
Most importantly, thank you to the 180 young professionals who showed up ready to learn, connect, participate, and invest in what comes next!
