Description

YPA Lunch & Learn: “All About Who You Know – Excelling at Networking & Making Meaningful Connections”

📅 Thursday, November 20, 2025
🕰️ 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM
📍 E-REP Board Room

Join the Young Professionals Alliance for an engaging Lunch & Learn focused on one of the most valuable skills in any career- networking.

This interactive panel discussion, “All About Who You Know: Excelling at Networking & Making Meaningful Connections,” will explore how to build authentic relationships that advance your career, open unexpected doors, and strengthen our regional network.

Our panelists will share personal stories of when networking came full circle, offer advice on maintaining strong professional relationships, and discuss how to identify the right partners, manage your time, and protect your reputation in a connected world.

Discussion topics include:

• Real-life examples of when networking led to meaningful opportunities
• Why “it’s all about who you know”- and how to show up consistently
• Avoiding burned bridges and understanding your professional reputation
• Recognizing strategic partners and investing your time wisely
• What’s worked (and what hasn’t) when building lasting connections

Lunch will be provided with purchase of ticket. Space is limited-  reserve your spot today!

Meet the Panelists

Allie St. Germain
Regional Director, U.S. Senator Todd Young
Allie represents 17 counties across Southwest Indiana, working closely with business and community leaders, local officials, and constituents to strengthen connections and keep the Senator informed on local priorities. Prior to joining Senator Young’s team, Allie spent more than seven years working for U.S. Congressman Larry Bucshon. She holds a B.S. in Political Science from the University of Southern Indiana and lives in Evansville with her husband, Phil, and their blended family of five children.

Jordan M. Whitledge, CFA®, CFP®
Wealth Advisor, Donaldson Capital Management
Jordan guides families and institutions in strategic investing and thoughtful risk management. A proud USI graduate with a B.S. in Economics and an MBA, he is a former SGA President, Mitch Daniels Leadership Foundation Fellow, and Evansville Rotary 20 Under 40 honoree. Jordan serves on multiple local boards including Ascension St. Vincent YMCA, WNIN, and Rotary of Evansville, and has been featured by CNBC for his expertise in wealth management.

Jenna Richardt
Director of External Affairs, CenterPoint Energy
Jenna leads stakeholder engagement for CenterPoint Energy across southwestern Indiana, focusing on key issues such as generation transition, natural gas, and electric services. She brings extensive experience in economic development and external affairs, previously serving as Senior Vice President of Business Development & Engagement at Ports of Indiana, Chief Regional Economic Development Officer at the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, and Executive Director of the Posey County Economic Development Partnership.

Jenna serves on several local boards, including the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, Regional Development Authority, and Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville. She holds a B.S. in Business Management from Southern Illinois University Carbondale, an MBA from the University of Phoenix, and an Economic Development Institute Certificate from the University of Oklahoma.