About the Young Professionals Council (YPC)

The Young Professionals Council is a network of young professionals in the Denver-metro area, whose goal is to help build and ensure the future of Freedom Service Dogs.

OUR VISION

Inspire action to ensure the legacy of FSD

OUR MISSION

Support FSD's mission while cultivating future philanthropic professionals in the community

OUR OBJECTIVE

Further FSD's mission through fundraising, advocacy, community awareness, volunteer support, and more

YPC Members are Expected to:

Serve a minimum one (1) year term, which can be renewed annually
Actively participate in one YPC sub-committee
Commit to fundraising support, volunteer support and community awareness & advocacy
Be an ambassador for Freedom Service Dogs

YPC Member Benefits:

Connect and network with other like-minded young professionals who are looking to make a meaningful impact in our community
Professional development opportunities, such as learning what it takes to be on a non-profit Board
Support FSD’s mission in a fun and engaging way

Join Our Young Professionals Council:

Membership on the YPC provides an opportunity to grow personally and professionally through volunteerism, networking, leadership development, and more – all while supporting Freedom Service Dog’s mission to transform lives by partnering people with custom-trained assistance dogs.

If you are interested in joining our YPC, please submit an application.

Completed applications will be reviewed at the monthly Executive Committee meetings. You will hear back from our Membership Chair with next steps, which may include an interview with two of our Executive Committee members.

APPLY TO JOIN YPC

Join Freedom Service Dog's Young Professionals Council for a positively paw-some morning of Puppies, Poses, and Prosecco!

Soak up sprawling mountain views from The Eddy Taproom and Hotel in downtown Golden, Colorado. Awaken your body and set your mind free with a 45-minute yoga session led by a professional yoga instructor. Meet adorable puppies in training to become life-changing service dogs as you sip on some bubbles. Get tickets HERE!

Meet the Executive Committee

Chair

Melissa Morrow

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Melissa Morrow is chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC) and a member of our board of directors. As Vice President of Human Resources at FirstBank Holding Company, she brings expertise in HR management, project management, risk mitigation, learning & development and customer service to the council and Board. In addition to serving on the YPC and Board, Melissa is part of the Diamonds in the Ruff Committee and has been a puppy raiser and continues to puppy sit for other raisers.

Melissa and her husband have a boxer/Lab mix named Ruger and a black Lab named Revy, who is an FSD career-change dog. In her spare time, Melissa enjoys camping, hiking, baking, travel, and spending time with her family and fur babies.

“My slight obsession with dogs is what drew me to FSD, but FSD’s mission and the lives that are changed as a result are what has kept me involved. Through serving on various committees, I knew I wanted to get more involved and join FSD’s board, but as a young professional, I didn’t have board experience. So what better way than to start with a Young Professionals Council, and better yet, help to develop one for FSD? I am happy to say that I was able to join the board in January 2021 and look forward to being the liaison between the board and the YPC. I hope that through the YPC, we will further FSD’s mission while providing young professionals the chance to grow personally and professionally, including myself.”

Vice Chair

Lauren Burton

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Lauren Burton is event chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC). As communication consulting manager for Charles Schwab, she brings expertise in marketing and communication strategy. Lauren’s volunteer experience includes work for the National Stroke Association, Denver Art Museum, Rocky Mountain Food Safety Conference, Denver Children’s Home, and Freedom Service Dogs, where she has assisted with event planning and support.

Lauren and her husband have a mastiff mix named Scooby, and a young daughter, Charlotte. In her spare time, Lauren enjoys gardening, watching and playing sports, reading, and home decorating.

“This cause really grabbed my heart from day one. I care deeply about supporting both veterans and people with diverse abilities, in addition to loving dogs, so FSD brings together many of my passions in one place. I am excited to help further the wonderful mission of FSD and connect with other young professionals who have also been touched by the amazing work that FSD does. As a YPC member, I hope to help grow FSD’s incredible network of donors and volunteers. This organization has so many dedicated and passionate people working to support it, and I believe in the power that this ancillary community can bring to furthering FSD’s mission and building its future.”

Membership Chair

Megan Beigl

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Megan Beigl is membership chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC). As consultant engagement lead for Insight Global, she brings specific expertise in recruiting, as well as public relations and marketing, to the council. Megan’s volunteer experience includes various positions at FSD, such as helping out in the kennels, fostering dogs, and being part of the Diamonds in the Ruff Committee. She also has served on the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society YPC and as philanthropy lead at Insight Global.

Megan and her boyfriend have a black Lab/shepherd mix named Nebco who is an FSD career-change dog. In her spare time, Megan enjoys cycling, reading, and cooking.

“When I moved to Colorado four years ago, I wanted to get involved in the community with something that blended my love for dogs and working with children with autism. Fortunately, I stumbled across Freedom Service Dogs and immediately fell in love. At first, I was going to the facility to help care for the dogs at night. I then started fostering and adopted my sweet Nebco and then started getting involved with the Diamonds in the Ruff Committee. Being able to be involved in so many different parts of FSD made me love the organization even more. Now as a member of the YPC, I’m able to continue to be a part of something bigger than myself, and I hope to share my love and passion for FSD with some special individuals who will become part of the organization long term and make a lasting impact.”

Event Chair

Tom Bertrand

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Fundraising Chair

TBD

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Megan Pagnotta is fundraising chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC). As a consultant for Slalom, she brings expertise in strategy and operations to the council. Megan’s volunteer experience includes work for Freedom Service Dogs, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and Special Olympics.

Megan, her husband, and their and daughter son have two dogs, a cocker spaniel mix named Frida and a Carolina dog named Finn. In her spare time, Megan enjoys travel, volunteering, and spending time with her family.

“I am very passionate about this organization, and I want to be able to use my skillset to advance FSD’s mission and impact in any way that I can. I also want to be involved in starting the Young Professionals Council from a career development perspective. I have had a unique opportunity to learn a lot about fundraising tactics, and I’d like to put that to good use and train others. I also hope to get the word out about FSD as much as possible to bring attention to the incredible work it does.”

Read Bio

Meet the Members of the YPC

Jacquelyn Bayard, City of Aurora
Nichole Burnett, Brownstein Hyatt Farber Schreck
Austin Butler, Liberty Energy
Megan Davis, IKEA
Christina Delpone, Beyond Finance
Erynn Dostaler, Francini Inc.
Jackie Gates, MGA Homecare
Caleigh Isaacks
Andrea Jensen, Transamerica
Jamie Monk, Elastic
Alex Morrow, Town of Castle Rock
Taylor Norman, Accident Investigation and Reconstruction, Inc.
Gabby Richmond, Colorado Oil & Gas Association
Rhianon Schuman, Rhianon Properties
Katie Shuster, Denver Broncos Football Club
Jon Sochovka, Liberty Energy
Hannah VanBuiten, VA, Rocky Mountain Regional Medical Center

Have questions? Reach out to us at [email protected].

About the Young Professionals Council (YPC)

OUR VISION

OUR MISSION

OUR OBJECTIVE

YPC Members are Expected to:

YPC Member Benefits:

Join Our Young Professionals Council:

Meet the Executive Committee

Chair

Melissa Morrow

Vice Chair

Lauren Burton

Membership Chair

Megan Beigl

Event Chair

Tom Bertrand

Fundraising Chair

TBD

Meet the Members of the YPC

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