Young Professionals Dubuque

Young Professionals Dubuque Young Professionals of Dubuque began with approximately 60 members in the spring of 2006 and has grown to over 1400 members.

Under the leadership of the Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce, Young Professionals Dubuque (YPD) exists to connect young professionals with each other, the business community, and the city in which we live, work, play, and do business. The Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce discovered that Dubuque-area young professionals were looking for an organization that would do things differently. Young profes

sionals were asking for a group that addressed their needs with a dash of creativity and a focus on professional development, networking, and community involvement. Those needs coincided with the Chamber's desire to acquaint the area's young professionals with each other; knowing that relationship is a powerful retention tool. YPD has evolved to a dynamic group that the Dubuque Chamber and community as a whole look to as up-and-coming leaders in Tri-State area.

๐Ÿป Have you had a chance to attend a Beer with a Boss event yet? If not, now's the perfect time to see what you've been m...
06/05/2026

๐Ÿป Have you had a chance to attend a Beer with a Boss event yet? If not, now's the perfect time to see what you've been missing!

As you scroll through these photos from past Beer with a Boss events, you'll see some of the incredible local leaders who have shared their stories, career journeys, leadership lessons, and business insights with YP Dubuque members.

On June 25, we're excited to continue the tradition with Jim Pullen of Eagle Point Solar as our featured Boss at 7 Hills Brewing Company from 4-5pm.

Why do attendees love Beer with a Boss?
โœ… Casual, small-group conversations with local business leaders
โœ… Valuable career and leadership insights
โœ… Opportunities to ask questions and learn from real experiences
โœ… Meaningful networking with fellow young professionals
โœ… A relaxed atmosphere that makes connecting easy

Whether you're looking to grow your network, gain professional development opportunities, or simply hear from successful leaders in our community, Beer with a Boss is an event worth adding to your calendar.

Who's attended a Beer with a Boss event before? Share your favorite takeaway(s) in the comments! ๐Ÿ‘‡

โœจ THROWBACK THURSDAY โœจOne year ago we came together to celebrate the outstanding young professionals and businesses who ...
06/04/2026

โœจ THROWBACK THURSDAY โœจ

One year ago we came together to celebrate the outstanding young professionals and businesses who make YP Dubuque such a strong and impactful organization.

From honoring award recipients to welcoming new leadership, it was one to remember! Take a trip down memory lane and check out some of our favorite moments from last year's event in the photo gallery below.

And the best part? We're going to do it again on June 17th! ๐Ÿ†

Join us as we celebrate another incredible year of YP Dubuque, recognize our outgoing YP Chair and 2025-26 Committee members, welcome our incoming YP Chair and 2026-27 Committee, and announce this year's recipients of:

๐Ÿ† YP Business of the Year
๐Ÿ† YP Friend of the Year
๐Ÿ† Outstanding YP Committee Member
๐Ÿ† YP Member of the Year

We can't wait to celebrate with you!

๐Ÿ“ธ: Kodiak Creative

06/03/2026

What makes someone choose to get involved with YP Dubuque?

We asked our April Luncheon speaker, Erin Engler of Dupaco Community Credit Union, one simple question: "Why YP?"

๐ŸŽฅ Watch the video to hear Erin's perspective and learn why she believes YP is such a valuable resource for young professionals.

If you're looking to expand your network, develop your career, and connect with like-minded professionals in the Dubuque area, we'd love to help you discover all that YP Dubuque has to offer.

What would your answer be to the question, "Why YP?" Share in the comments below!

๐ŸŒŸ Celebrate Excellence at Our June YP Luncheon! ๐ŸŒŸJoin us on June 17, 2026, at Q Casino + Resort's Reflections Event Spac...
06/03/2026

๐ŸŒŸ Celebrate Excellence at Our June YP Luncheon! ๐ŸŒŸ

Join us on June 17, 2026, at Q Casino + Resort's Reflections Event Space (enter through the The Key Hotel) for June's YP luncheon as we celebrate the outstanding leaders, members, and businesses making a difference in our YP community.

During this special luncheon, we'll announce the winners of:
๐Ÿ† YP Business of the Year
๐Ÿ† YP Friend of the Year
๐Ÿ† Outstanding YP Board Member
๐Ÿ† YP Member of the Year

Come celebrate the achievements, leadership, and dedication that help our community thrive. Connect with fellow young professionals, enjoy lunch, and help us recognize this year's exceptional nominees and honorees.

๐Ÿ“… Register by Wednesday, June 10 at 1:00 PM to reserve your seat at https://business.dubuquechamber.com/events/details/yp-awards-luncheon-2026-343971

We look forward to celebrating with you! ๐ŸŽ‰

Congratulations to the 2026 YP Member of the Year nominees! ๐ŸŽ‰Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit nominatio...
05/30/2026

Congratulations to the 2026 YP Member of the Year nominees! ๐ŸŽ‰

Thank you to everyone who took the time to submit nominations. Weโ€™re incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by passionate professionals who continue to champion the power of YP within their organizations and across the Dubuque tri-states area.

Join us at the YP Awards Luncheon on Wednesday, June 17, as we celebrate this outstanding group and announce the 2026 YP Member of the Year!

Matt O'Brien โ€” City of Dubuque Government
Cassandra Renken, MBA, MMDI โ€” Clarke University
Chelsea Marriott โ€” Hotel Julien Dubuque
Dessa McClintock โ€” McGraw Hill
Elizabeth Butler โ€” McGraw Hill
Brandon Snyder โ€” Q Casino + Resort
Alex Lee โ€” The Spot
Brandon Lynch โ€” UMB Bank

When searching for the right career opportunity, look for the intersection of three things: what you're good at, what yo...
05/29/2026

When searching for the right career opportunity, look for the intersection of three things: what you're good at, what you're passionate about, and what the company needs. That "sweet spot" was just one of many valuable insights shared by Cass Lundgren, President & CEO of Unison Solutions, Inc. at this month's Beer with a Boss.

Cass shared his unique career journeyโ€”from his military service to leadership roles in manufacturing and optics, ultimately finding his way to Unison Solutions. One thing remained important throughout his career: the culture of the company. His commitment to people-first leadership continues to shape how he leads today.

Founded in 2000, Unison Solutions transforms organic waste into clean, renewable energy. In 2020, the company became an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), a transition Cass credits as a key driver of growth, innovation, and employee engagement.

A few highlights from yesterday's conversation:
โœจ Great leaders build people and help others reach their full potential.
โœจ Leadership is about trust, communication, and empowering teamsโ€”not command and control. As Cass shared, leaders work for their people, not the other way around.
โœจ Clear values, continuous feedback, emotional intelligence, and respect across departments are essential for long-term success.

Other memorable takeaways included the importance of finding perspective and slowing down to enjoy the journey. Cass also encouraged attendees to use AI as a collaborative tool that helps teams work smarter together.

Thank you to 7 Hills Brewing Company for generously sponsoring this Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce event and thank you to all who joined us to network, learn, and grow!

Mark your calendars for our next Beer with a Boss on Thursday, June 25, featuring Jim Pullen of Eagle Point Solar. You won't want to miss it!

๐Ÿบ Join us at TOMORROW'S Beer with a Boss ๐ŸบGrab a pint, pull up a chair, and join Young Professionals Dubuque for a candi...
05/27/2026

๐Ÿบ Join us at TOMORROW'S Beer with a Boss ๐Ÿบ

Grab a pint, pull up a chair, and join Young Professionals Dubuque for a candid conversation with this month's area leader, Cass Lundgren, President & CEO of Unison Solutions, Inc.

Come ready with a question and take advantage of this opportunity to gain insights, advice, and inspiration from a local leader making an impact in our community.

๐Ÿ“… Thursday, May 28
โฐ 4โ€“5 PM
๐Ÿ“ 7 Hills Brewing Company

Cass Lundgren became the president and CEO of Unison Solutions in August 2025. His passion in life is team leadership and helping to improve the lives of those around him.

Prior to coming to Dubuque, Cass held senior leadership positions at several large companies, including Case Paper Co., National Dentex, Vision-Ease Lens and Heraeus Medical Components. Cass spent 18 years in his first company out of the Army, Vision Ease Lens, and progressed from shop floor supervisor in the then-$80 million company to the COO of the company that had grown to $250 million. Cass has worked with three different PE ownership groups spearheading the operational side of four successful transactions.

Cass graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point with a Bachelor of Science in Philosophy/Pre-Law, with a Systems Engineering minor. While at West Point, he earned 6 NCAA letters in three different sports: football, wrestling, and baseball.

After graduating from West Point, he served in the United States Army as a Company Commander, Platoon Leader, and Apache Pilot. He served as a Captain in the 101st Airborne Division and was deployed in Kuwait. During his time in the Army, he and his co-pilot claimed โ€œTOP GUNโ€ honors two years in a row, and he was recognized as the unitโ€™s top junior officer leading to an early promotion and a Company Command while still a Lieutenant.

Whether youโ€™re looking for inspiration, honest advice, or just a great conversation with fellow young professionals, Beer with a Boss is your chance to connect with leaders whoโ€™ve been where you are and can help guide where youโ€™re going.

Thank you to 7 Hills Brewing Company for sponsoring this Dubuque Area Chamber of Commerce event and supporting our Young Professionals!

Complimentary for YP members, but registration is required:
https://business.dubuquechamber.com/events/details/beer-with-a-boss-cass-lundgren-unison-343744

What an inspiring luncheon last week with B'Ann Dittmar of Dry Creek Beekeeping- Tours & Tastings and Clarke University!...
05/26/2026

What an inspiring luncheon last week with B'Ann Dittmar of Dry Creek Beekeeping- Tours & Tastings and Clarke University! In her presentation, Focused as a Bee: Leadership Lessons from the Hive for Building High Performing Teams, Bโ€™Ann shared powerful insights on leadership, focus, resilience, and teamwork through the fascinating lens of beekeeping. From learning how bees thrive through clarity of roles and consistency to reflecting on our own daily distractions and habits, attendees walked away with practical strategies to become more intentional and impactful both professionally and personally.

Perfectly timed on World Bee Day, the luncheon challenged attendees to think differently about productivity โ€” not as being โ€œbusy as a bee,โ€ but โ€œfocused as a bee.โ€ Bโ€™Ann reminded us that big achievements come from small, consistent actions over time.

Thank you to everyone who joined us for such a thoughtful and energizing event! Mark your calendars! Our next luncheon is June 17th.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Your online presence can open doors before you ever walk into the room. What is yours saying about you? ๐Ÿ’ปโœจJoin  us ๐™๐™Š๐™ˆ๐™Š๐™...
05/20/2026

Your online presence can open doors before you ever walk into the room. What is yours saying about you? ๐Ÿ’ปโœจ

Join us ๐™๐™Š๐™ˆ๐™Š๐™๐™๐™Š๐™’for YP Iowa's Quarterly Virtual Community Forum Series featuring Lauren Minert from Kunkel & Associates, Inc. as she shares insights on personal branding, LinkedIn strategy, and how your everyday online activity can influence career growth and professional opportunities in todayโ€™s digital world.

Whether youโ€™re building your network, growing your brand, or looking to stand out professionally, this is a conversation you wonโ€™t want to miss!

Register today:https://www.ypiowa.org/events.

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300 Main Street, Suite 200
Dubuque, IA
52001

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