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 finalists below. Winners will be announced at the 12th Annual Impact Awards.
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
2023 Impact Award Winners
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
2022 Impact Award Winners
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 Winner: Phyllis Nichols
Outstanding Young Professionals: Carter Hall, Kayla Klein, Lacey Mellott, and Rachel Dellinger Stallings
2021 Impact Award Winners
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 Winner: Dr. Martha Buchanan
2020 Impact Award Winners
Outstanding Young Professionals: Diesha Finley, Nick Wilson
YPK Member of the Year: Richelle Ballenger
Impact Award: Vrondelia "Ronni" Chandler
2019 Impact Award Winners
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
2018 Impact Award Winners
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
2017 Impact Award Winners
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
2016 Impact Award Winners
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
2015 Impact Award Winners
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
2014 Impact Award Winners
Most Impactful Nonprofit: tnAchieves
Most Impactful Small Business: AC Entertainment
Most Impactful Medium Business: Pugh CPA’s
Most Impactful Large Business: 21st Mortgage
2013 Impact Award Winners
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