impact awards
Celebrating local leadership
November 8, 2024
The Press Room
Thank you to everyone who joined us for the 12th Annual Impact Awards on November 8, 2024, at The Press Room! This special evening celebrated outstanding mentors, peers, businesses, and organizations that embody YPK's mission to inspire Knoxville’s young professionals to connect, develop, and serve in building leaders and improving our community.
Stay tuned this spring for information on the 2025 event—we can't wait to celebrate with you again next year!
Check out the 2024 winners below!
Interested in sponsoring? Click the button below for our event-specific sponsorship options or contact us to discuss sponsorship opportunities. Ticket sales for Impact Awards 2025 will begin summer 2025.
About the IMPACT Awards
For over 10 years, Young Professionals of Knoxville has honored local organizations and individuals who are impacting young professionals at work or in our community. The annual Impact Awards provides an opportunity to recognize leaders in the Knoxville community, network with other professionals, and celebrate all things Knoxville.
Connect Award
The Connect Award is given to an individual, organization, or business that works to welcome and unite the Knoxville community through an event, action, or space. This award is focused on the opportunity for personal connection and growth that comes with human interaction.
Develop Award
The Develop Award is given to an individual, organization, or business that has created and/or championed community educational and/or professional development content or opportunities in the Knoxville area. This award is focused on tangible opportunities in which the Knoxville community can participate.
Serve Award
The Serve Award is given to an individual, organization, or business that has displayed meaningful participation in outreach projects and/or provided opportunities for community members to give back while helping make Knoxville the most desirable city for young professionals to live, work and play.
Outstanding Young Professional Award
The Outstanding Young Professional Award is given to a young professional in our community who lives the values of YPK — Connect, Develop, and Serve. This individual also contributes to their respective professional field through their passion and dedication. This person can be seen as the standard bearer for the traits and values we believe organizations and our community at large attribute to consummate professionalism.
Impact Award
The Impact Award to one experienced leader whose daily influence challenges young professionals and who casts a vision for our community. This individual is a trailblazer that fosters growth for future leaders and has been a major reason why the strength of Knoxville’s community continues to grow.
Past Winners
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Connect Award [Individual]
Kelsi Walker
Connect Award [Organization]
Nourish Knoxville
Develop Award [Individual]
Bukky Abdul
Develop Award [Organization]
Real Good Kitchen
Serve Award [Individual]
Sam Elliott
Serve Award [Organization]
Legal Aid of East Tennessee
Impact Award Winner
Kimberly Pettigrew
Outstanding Young Professionals
Emily Cala and Jade Adams
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Connect Award - Individual
Kirby Deal
Connect Award - Organization
New2Knox
Develop Award - Individual
Catherine Porth
Develop Award - Organization
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont
Serve Award - Individual
Avery Howard
Serve Award - Organization
Centro Hispano de East Tennessee
First Horizon Impact Award
Phyllis Nichols
Outstanding Young Professionals
Carter Hall, Kayla Klein, Lacey Mellott, and Rachel Dellinger Stallings
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Connect Award [Individual]
Grace Bennett
Connect Award [Organization]
Knox Brew Tours
Develop Award [Individual]
Andrew Hart
Develop Award [Organization]
YWCA Knoxville & The Tennessee Valley
Serve Award [Individual]
Anna Moseley
Serve Award [Organization]
Battlefield Farm & Gardens
First Horizon Impact Award
Dr. Martha Buchanan
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Outstanding Young Professionals
Diesha Finley, Nick Wilson
YPK Member of the Year
Richelle Ballenger
Impact Award
Vrondelia "Ronni" Chandler
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Most Impactful Businesses
New2Knox, Volunteer East Tennessee
Outstanding Young Professionals
Rhoni Basden, Claudia Caballero, Jim LaPinska, Dasha Lundy, Wesley Wilson
YPK Member of the Year
Amanda Freuler
Impact Award
Sharon Couch
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Most Impactful Nonprofit
Alliance for Better Nonprofits
Most Impactful Small Business
Crowe LLP
Most Impactful Large Business
Radio Systems Corporation
Outstanding Young Professionals
Megan F. Bradley, Rebecca Dotson, Katie Gillman, Ashley Humphrey, and Brian Winbigler
YPK Member of the Year
Kelsie Crittendon
Mentor of the Year
Randy Boyd
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Most Impactful Nonprofit
Junior League of Knoxville
Most Impactful Small Business
Management Solutions, LLC
Most Impactful Large Business
First Tennessee Bank
Outstanding Young Professionals
Allison Duff, Shana Love, Dale Mackey, Tommy Smith and Ryan Willis
Mentor of the Year
Jerry Askew
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Most Impactful Nonprofit
The Knoxville Fellows
Most Impactful Small Business
Axle Logistics
Most Impactful Large Business
TeamHealth
Outstanding Young Professionals
Becca Habegger, Nicole Hight, Amie Cohorst, Michael Leventhal, Denetria Moore
Mentor of the Year
Alvin Nance
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Most Impactful Nonprofit
Knoxville Chamber
Most Impactful Small Business
Pyxl, Inc.
Most Impactful Large Business
Claris Networks
Outstanding Young Professionals
Sarah Herron, Tiffany McGee, Nathan Woods, Kara McFarland, Stephanie Strutner
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Most Impactful Nonprofit
tnAchieves
Most Impactful Small Business
AC Entertainment
Most Impactful Medium Business
Pugh CPA’s
Most Impactful Large Business
21st Mortgage
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Most Impactful Nonprofit
Girl Scout Council of the Southern Appalachians
Most Impactful Small Business
DesignSensory
Most Impactful Medium Business
Lattimore, Black, Morgan & Cain P.C. (LMBC)
Most Impactful Large Business
U.S. Cellular
