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. The YPC furthers FSD’s mission through fundraising, advocacy, community awareness, volunteer support, and much more.

Our Vision

Inspire action to ensure the legacy of FSD
Our Mission

Support FSD’s mission, while cultivating future philanthropic professionals in the greater community
Our Objectives

Further FSD’s mission through fundraising, advocacy, community awareness, volunteer support, and much 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

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 human resources management, project management, risk management, and customer service to the council and board. Melissa has been a volunteer at FSD for six years, primarily as a Diamonds in the Ruff Committee member and more recently as a member of our Community Outreach Team and a puppy raiser.

Melissa and her husband have a boxer/Lab mix named Ruger and a chocolate Lab named Gunner. 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

Gabby Richmond

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Gabby Richmond is vice chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC). As executive director of Denver Petroleum Club, she brings expertise in events, marketing, communications, public relations, and employee and volunteer engagement to the council. Gabby’s volunteer experience includes being a puppy raiser for Freedom Service Dogs, as well as work for Project PAVE and Holdsworth Community Center.

When not walking the Cherry Creek trails with Dundee, her yellow Lab, Gabby enjoys tennis, watching “The Bachelor,” and rooftop happy hours.

“I joined the YPC to be a part of a group of like-minded young professionals who are passionate about FSD’s mission to transform the lives of people in need through custom-trained service dogs. As a foster volunteer with FSD’s Puppy Raising Program, I’ve seen firsthand the extensive training and investment it takes for a puppy to become a service dog graduate, and I’m excited to be able to support the program in any way I can, especially through recruiting new fosters through the YPC and our communal network! I believe being a part of YPC will strengthen the volunteer community at FSD and be a resource and network for all young people looking to give back to this great organization.”

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

Lauren Burton

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Lauren Burton is event chair of FSD’s Young Professionals Council (YPC). As marketing campaign manager for TIAA, she brings expertise in marketing strategy, public relations, and event planning and promotion to the council. 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 two huskies, Jane and Etsio, and a mastiff mix named Scooby. 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.”

Fundraising Chair

Megan Pagnotta

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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 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.”

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

About the Young Professionals Council (YPC)

Our Vision

Our Mission

Our Objectives

YPC Members are Expected to:

YPC Member Benefits:

Join Our Young Professionals Council:

Meet the Executive Committee

Chair

Melissa Morrow

Vice Chair

Gabby Richmond

Membership Chair

Megan Beigl

Event Chair

Lauren Burton

Fundraising Chair

Megan Pagnotta

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