Richelle Ballenger is the Marketing Director for TN Members 1st Federal Credit Union. She graduated from the University of North Dakota with her B.A. in Communications in 2012 and her Masters of Public Administration in 2019.

“I am forever grateful for the lessons and friends that cold, snowy college brought into my life,” she reminisced.

Richelle has lived in the Knoxville area with her husband since 2017, and she has been a member of YPK since October of 2019. We reached out and asked her a few questions, and here’s what she had to say:

How and when did you become involved with YPK?

I joined YPK in October 2019 after going through Leadership Oak Ridge with fellow YPK member, Stephanie Windsor-Slosser. She encouraged me to join YPK and helped introduce me to many of my fellow members.

What have you found to be the most beneficial part of YPK and why did you decide to join?

Meeting people has been the most beneficial part of YPK. Let's be honest, it's not easy to make new friends as an adult! YPK activities took a lot of the anxiety and awkwardness out of meeting new people and immersing myself in the community. I wanted to be able to network but needed to make sure I was connecting with people who were near the same stage in life as me, YPK provided that option.

What are some other organizations you’re a part of or hobbies you enjoy outside of YPK?

I am a Lifetime Member of Girl Scouts of the USA. I currently serve as the Team Recruitment Chair for the Knoxville Walk to End Alzheimer's Planning Committee and as a corporate member representative (representing the credit union) in the Kiwanis Club of Oak Ridge. With Kiwanis, I also serve as a member of the Board of Directors and on the Marketing and Public Relations committees for our club. When I'm not working or volunteering, you'll most likely find me reading, baking, or spoiling Taz, our two-year-old Gordon Setter.

What’s one short-term goal you have set for yourself? One long term?

My biggest short term goal right now is helping make our upcoming Knoxville Walk to End Alzheimer's as successful as possible! Throughout our planning process, I have been continually amazed and inspired by how our volunteers, sponsors, and participants have rallied together for this important cause. This year, instead of gathering together in a large group, Walk is everywhere! Which opens up some super cool virtual and drive thru opportunities for participants. For anyone interested in learning more about this year's Walk - happening Saturday, October 3 - please feel free to reach out to me or visit act.alz.org/KnoxvilleWalk2020!

Long term, I would love to learn more about interior design and be able to decorate our home. We bought our first (and current) home in 2018, and we still haven't really made it "ours."

If you could give your younger self one piece of professional advice, what would it be?

My advice to my younger self would be that imposter syndrome is real. Own your accomplishments. You've done amazing things, and it's ok to believe in and celebrate them!

If you know someone we should feature in a YPK member spotlight, let us know at marketing@ypknox.com.