YPI - Young Professionals Initiative

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YPI - Young Professionals Initiative The Young Professionals Initiative of Northwest Louisiana (YPI) strives to provide networking, educational & promotional experiences for young professionals

Young Professional Initiative (YPI) provides an opportunity for young pros to network and connect with like individuals working throughout North Louisiana, involve themselves in professional development programming to further their academic training and connect with community non-profits to better serve local philanthropies.

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Melvin Nevels, Jr., LCSW, LNHA, is a behavioral health leader, Licensed Clinical Soci...
10/21/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Melvin Nevels, Jr., LCSW, LNHA, is a behavioral health leader, Licensed Clinical Social Worker, and advocate for underserved communities across Louisiana. A two-time graduate of Grambling State University, he serves as a Senior Social Worker with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, providing care to Veterans with serious mental illness, while also operating a private mental health practice serving clients across multiple states. Melvin is currently pursuing a Doctor of Psychology degree in Behavioral Health Leadership and remains committed to expanding access to quality behavioral healthcare, particularly in rural and underserved communities. He serves on the Grambling State University Social Work Advisory Council, is an active member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., and contributes to community outreach through his church, Praise Temple Ruston. Through leadership, mentorship, and service, Melvin works to strengthen individuals, families, and communities throughout North Louisiana.








Once a 40 Under 40 honoree, always part of the YPI family! 🥂✨Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s YPI 40...
10/21/2026

Once a 40 Under 40 honoree, always part of the YPI family! 🥂✨

Thank you to everyone who joined us for last night’s YPI 40 Under 40 Reunion Social! We loved reconnecting with past honorees, catching up, and celebrating the people whose leadership and service help move Shreveport-Bossier forward.

The celebration continues at the 40 Under 40 Gala on December 4th, where we’ll honor the next class of outstanding young professionals. Mark your calendars! 🎉





:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Kia Fuller serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Housing Authority of the City...
10/20/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Kia Fuller serves as the Chief Operating Officer of the Housing Authority of the City of Shreveport. A dedicated leader in the affordable housing industry, she currently serves as the 2025-2027 President of the Louisiana Housing Council. At the regional level, Kia is actively involved with the Southwest NAHRO, serving as Chair of the Scholarship and Vendor Opportunity Committees and as a member of the Member Services Committee. Through her leadership and service, she remains committed to advancing the mission of affordable housing and supporting professional development within the industry. Fuller has 10 years of experience in the housing industry. During her tenure at the Shreveport Housing Authority, she has assisted the agency to secure and administer several grants including a $1,500,000 YouthBuild Grant, 25,000,000 Choice Neighborhoods Grant, $100,000 JRAP Expungement Grant, $205,000 Emergency Safety and Security Grant and numerous Family Self Sufficiency Grants. Fuller earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Northwestern State University.








:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Calvin Combs is an attorney with Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts, where he mainta...
10/19/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Calvin Combs is an attorney with Blanchard, Walker, O'Quin & Roberts, where he maintains a diverse practice representing businesses, professionals, and individuals across a wide range of legal matters. A Marine Corps veteran, Calvin served with Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 23rd Marines while earning his undergraduate degree from Louisiana Tech University. He later earned both his Juris Doctor and Master of Business Administration from Mississippi College, graduating near the top of his class while serving in numerous student leadership roles. Beyond his legal practice, Calvin is actively involved in the community through the Shreveport Bar Association's Young Lawyers Section, the Ask-A-Lawyer Clinic, the American Bar Association Military Pro Bono Project, and service at St. Jude Catholic Church. He is passionate about mentorship, leadership development, and helping veterans and young professionals thrive in Northwest Louisiana. Calvin and his wife, Chrissie, are proud to call Shreveport-Bossier home, where they are raising their daughters and investing in the future of their community.







:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Jessica Hunter of Shreveport, Louisiana, is a Regulatory Affairs and Commercial Vendo...
10/16/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Jessica Hunter of Shreveport, Louisiana, is a Regulatory Affairs and Commercial Vendor Strategy leader with more than seven years of experience driving enterprise governance, regulatory compliance, operational strategy, and global regulatory readiness across pharmaceutical, biotechnology, clinical research, and healthcare organizations. She has successfully led cross-functional initiatives spanning pharmacovigilance, vendor governance, commercial operations, audit readiness, and strategic business development, contributing to projects that generated over $100 million in revenue. Jessica's expertise includes FDA regulations, GCP/ICH guidelines, clinical trial compliance, pharmacovigilance operations, vendor qualification, and global regulatory program management. She is recognized for optimizing enterprise workflows, strengthening compliance frameworks, enhancing vendor partnerships, and aligning regulatory strategy with organizational growth objectives. A graduate of Huntington High School and Wiley University, Jessica also earned a Juris Master in Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Law from Seton Hall University. She is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Health Sciences at Seton Hall University. Her unique combination of scientific, legal, commercial, and operational expertise enables her to advance regulatory strategy, compliance excellence, and clinical development initiatives across the life sciences and healthcare sectors. Committed to professional development and community impact, Jessica hopes to help bridge pathways into the Regulatory Affairs profession for students and professionals across Louisiana, creating greater awareness of career opportunities within the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, and healthcare industries.








:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Chelsea Giles is the Director of Events and Graduate Engagement at LSU Health Shrevep...
10/15/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Chelsea Giles is the Director of Events and Graduate Engagement at LSU Health Shreveport, where she creates meaningful experiences that strengthen alumni, student, and community connections. Her career has spanned senior living, nonprofit leadership, community relations, and event management, providing her with a unique ability to build partnerships, engage stakeholders, and bring people together around a common purpose. A Certified Dementia Practitioner, Chelsea was part of the team recognized as Community of the Year during her time at The Blake and was honored with a Beacon Award from the Public Relations Association of Louisiana for excellence in communications. She is deeply involved in the Shreveport-Bossier community, serving as Community Outreach Chairman for Young Professionals Initiative and President of the Alpha Omicron Pi Shreveport-Bossier Alumnae Chapter. Passionate about the future of Northwest Louisiana, Chelsea is committed to creating opportunities that help her community thrive for generations to come. Outside of work, she enjoys crafting, baking, and believes there is a Taylor Swift song for every season of life.







:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Luke Haney is a licensed Professional Engineer based in Shreveport, Louisiana, with e...
10/14/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Luke Haney is a licensed Professional Engineer based in Shreveport, Louisiana, with experience in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure. He currently serves as Assistant Parish Engineer for the Bossier Parish Police Jury, where he oversees water and wastewater projects and supports utility operations to help ensure reliable service for parish residents. Prior to this role, Luke worked as a consulting engineer focused on municipal infrastructure. His experience includes the design and management of water, wastewater, and drainage systems, along with coordination with municipal clients and regulatory agencies. Luke is active in professional organizations, serving on the ASCE Louisiana Section Board as incoming President-Elect and completing his term as President of the Louisiana Engineering Society Shreveport Chapter. He was recognized as the 2024 ASCE Louisiana Section Young Civil Engineer of the Year. He lives in the Shreveport area with his family and remains actively involved in his local community.







:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Abigail Simmons is a marketing strategist, business development professional, and com...
10/13/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Abigail Simmons is a marketing strategist, business development professional, and community advocate based in Shreveport, Louisiana. A Louisiana Tech alumna, she holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing and a Master of Business Administration. She serves as a senior account and business development leader at KSM Marketing Agency, where she has spent her career in a family-owned business, helping local, regional, and national clients grow, with a particular passion for family-owned and legacy businesses. Abigail serves as Director of Artport, one of the nation's largest revolving airport art displays, which she revitalized in 2025, after a decade-long hiatus to widespread community acclaim. Her professional work spans marketing strategy, brand consulting, business development, and nonprofit and community-facing communications, with the privilege of contributing to some of the most visible and forward-facing initiatives shaping the future of Northwest Louisiana. She is deeply committed to building a Shreveport-Bossier worth staying for.








10/12/2026

Congratulations to our Talent & Growth Manager, Morgan Hope, on being named a YPI 40 Under Forty Honoree for 2026! 🎉

This prestigious recognition celebrates outstanding young professionals across Northwest Louisiana who are making an impact through their leadership, innovation, professional achievements, and community involvement. Morgan's passion for developing talent, supporting growth, and helping build the future of our organization makes this honor well deserved.

Please join us in celebrating this incredible accomplishment and the impact Morgan continues to make at Northwestern Mutual | North Louisiana and throughout our community. 💙



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:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::Sarah Okpe is a technology professional, community leader, and advocate for education...
10/12/2026

:::40 Under 40 Honoree Spotlight:::

Sarah Okpe is a technology professional, community leader, and advocate for education, mentorship, and service. She holds a Master's degree in Computer Systems Technology from Louisiana State University Shreveport and has built a diverse career spanning financial technology, manufacturing, municipal government, public education, and educational technology. Passionate about using technology to create meaningful impact, Sarah has contributed to initiatives that support businesses, public institutions, educators, students, and communities throughout the region. Beyond her professional career, she is deeply committed to community engagement and leadership. Sarah currently serves as Communications Chair for the Young Professionals Initiative (YPI), volunteers with the American Red Cross, and several other local committees. Guided by her belief that "where there is a will, there is a way," she is committed to empowering others, fostering community connections, and creating opportunities for future generations.








Address

400 Edwards Street
Shreveport, LA
71101

Telephone

+13186772500

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