About Us
Our Mission is to cultivate emerging leaders to ensure a prosperous Lancaster County.
Core Values
Core Values
Serve the Community
The only way to sustain Lancaster County is to create a lasting desire for that sustainment. Lancaster Young Professionals pledges to serve Lancaster County whenever possible through volunteer activities and charitable partnerships. These community service efforts will vest the membership of LYP in Lancaster County and serve to strengthen the bonds of our community.
Strengthen the Individual
A community is only as strong as its weakest individual. Lancaster Young Professionals strives to enhance the individuals within its membership by providing networking opportunities and professional development. This strengthening of the individual will be a lasting asset to not only the member, but to the Lancaster County community.
Enhance Lancaster County
Lancaster Young Professionals is committed to the improvement of both the City of Lancaster and the surrounding county at large. We believe in the advancement of Lancaster County and its economic development. Lancaster Young Professionals will strive to promote and enrich the businesses and individuals within Lancaster County in an effort to create lasting connections between our membership and the community.
Serve the Community
The only way to sustain Lancaster County is to create a lasting desire for that sustainment. Lancaster Young Professionals pledges to serve Lancaster County whenever possible through volunteer activities and charitable partnerships. These community service efforts will vest the membership of LYP in Lancaster County and serve to strengthen the bonds of our community.
Strengthen the Individual
A community is only as strong as its weakest individual. Lancaster Young Professionals strives to enhance the individuals within its membership by providing networking opportunities and professional development. This strengthening of the individual will be a lasting asset to not only the member, but to the Lancaster County community.
Enhance Lancaster County
Lancaster Young Professionals is committed to the improvement of both the City of Lancaster and the surrounding county at large. We believe in the advancement of Lancaster County and its economic development. Lancaster Young Professionals will strive to promote and enrich the businesses and individuals within Lancaster County in an effort to create lasting connections between our membership and the community.
Network
Learn
Give Back
Have Fun
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
President - Paul Fiorelli
Paul is a commercial Risk Advisor for The Loomis Company. He graduated from York College of Pennsylvania in 2015 with a degree in Business Administration and is finishing up a Masters from Columbia Southern University in Occupational Health and Environmental Safety.
Aside from his professional pursuits, Paul enjoys spending quality time with his wife Gabrielle, their sons Lincoln, Archer, and their furry companion, Hayes. When he's not working or spending time with his loved ones, Paul can be found on the golf course with friends.
As President of Lancaster Young Professionals, Paul is dedicated to empowering young professionals in the community, providing opportunities for growth, networking, and professional development.
Vice President-
Isabel Gleason
Isabel is an Investment Advisor Representative at AssuredPartners Investment Advisors and holds her Series 65 and Life & Health Insurance Licenses. She graduated from Millersville University with a degree in Business Administration with a Concentration in Finance.
Outside of work, Isabel enjoys skiing, backyard sports (especially corn hole), and cooking. During the summer, her favorite activity is visiting Cape May.
Isabel’s favorite thing about LYP is the opportunity the organization provides to young professionals by creating a space where members are able to network and grow themselves professionally. Isabel is a Lancaster native and especially loves the opportunity to give back to the community through LYP’s community service events. She looks forward to another great year serving on the LYP Board
Treasurer – Brandon Witmer
Brandon works as a Project Manager at The Witmer Group. He earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration with a concentration in Finance from Messiah University in 2020. During his college years, Brandon was a member of the Messiah Men's Lacrosse NCAA Division III team.
Beyond his professional life, he has a passion for travel, skiing, snowboarding, and golf. An avid fitness enthusiast and runner, Brandon also values time spent with family and friends.
Residing in downtown Lancaster, he enjoys frequenting numerous restaurants and breweries.
Marketing Director – Kate McDonald
Kate is a Logistics Coordinator with Clark National Accounts. After graduating from Juniata College with a degree in Management, she spent 5 years coaching women's basketball at the NCAA Division III level before spending 5 years as a Technical Recruiter.
Outside of work, Kate enjoys running, playing basketball, skiing, trivia with friends, watching Indy Car, and hanging out with family. She is excited to help spread the word about LYP and get more young professionals involved in the organization...
Events Director – Jacquie Koob
Jacquie is a real estate agent with Berkshire Hathaway on the Allison Deutsch Team, helping others navigate the home buying and selling process. Jacquie also teaches spin classes at I Am Limitless Lancaster, and coaches the Lampeter-Strasburg Highschool Swim Team. Originally from the Philadelphia area, Jacquie came to Lancaster to attend Franklin and Marshall College where she graduated in 2019 with a degree in Psychology and Business.
When not touring homes or on a spin bike, Jacquie is often hiking with her husband Luke, who is a nurse at LGH, and their dog, Ooni. Jacquie and Luke own a camper van, and spend as many weekends as possible exploring state parks and taking trips out to national parks whenever they can. Jacquie has always loved finding opportunities to bring people together and to create a sense of belonging for those coming into new environments. Joining LYP helped her to get plugged into the Lancaster community and she is excited to help others do the same!
Events Director –
Mary Harnish
Mary is a 5th grade teacher in the Penn Manor School District. She graduated from Eastern Mennonite University with a liberal arts degree and a bachelors of education. She is currently in a graduate program, working towards a Masters of School Counseling degree at Millersville University. Outside of work, Mary enjoys reading, exercising, and spending time outside. During the summer, her favorite activities include watching baseball and going to the beach. Mary’s favorite thing about LYP is the opportunity to meet new people and have fun together. She is excited about year three as an LYP member and her first year on the board!
Board Member at Large - Chelsey Wirth
Chelsey is the Director of Athletic Advancement for Millersville University. She graduated from Millersville with a dual bachelor's of psychology and sociology in 2015. She graduated with a master's of public health from Penn State College of Medicine in 2020.
Outside of work, Chelsey loves Philly sports, anything outdoors, travel, golfing, and spending time with her family/friends. She also enjoys exploring the Lancaster area with her fiance, John, and their dog, Zola.
Chelsey became a member of LYP in 2019 and particularly appreciates the community engagement, networking, and fellowship opportunities. She is eager to serve such an amazing group of dedicated professionals in a new role this year!
Community Service Director- Emily Ziegler
Emily, a Paraplanner and Certified Financial Planner professional at Align Wealth Strategies, provides critical support to both advisors and clients. A few of her duties include preparing retirement illustrations, assisting with portfolio management, and evaluating 401(k) Plan investment lineups. She graduated from Millersville University in 2021 with a business degree in Finance and a minor in Economics.
Originally from Broomall, PA, Emily now calls Lancaster home with her husband, Jacob, a Realtor in the area. They live in Mount Joy, PA. The Ziegler’s enjoy a busy lifestyle filled with activities such as hiking, biking, kayaking, bonfires, and game nights.
Emily is a 2023 Core Class graduate of Leadership Lancaster. The program has inspired her to get involved with the community and bring people together. Joining the LYP board in this capacity has allowed her to accomplish exactly that!
Membership Director - Gavin Samson
Gavin is a Program Manager at Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. He graduated from Millersville University in 2019 with a degree in Applied Engineering, Safety, & Technology with a focus in Advanced Manufacturing Technology.
In his free time, Gavin is a competitive Strongman, being outdoors whether it be hiking, running on the trail, or skiing. Aside from that, he enjoys plenty of local food downtown and spending time with his dog, Odin.
Gavin is grateful for the connections he has made through LYP and getting more young professionals to network and explore the benefits that Lancaster has to offer.
Board Member at Large- Patrick McCarthy
Patrick McCarthy is an experienced Sales Executive with 10 years of experience working in the field of Bio-Tech and Environmental sciences with an established reputation for diligence, attention to detail, and tenacity in the field of business analytics and sales.
Patrick grew up in Lancaster county and has deep roots in the area and a profound appreciation for the community. Patrick has an undergraduate degree in Biology and a Master's Degree in Biomedical Science from Drexel University.
“I believe that the best way to help the future professionals of this community is to understand their needs and goals, not just on the individual career level, but to benefit their life as a whole.”
Board Member at Large- David Smith
David is the owner and operator of Motive Machine Works LLC. Motive is a CNC machine shop that specializes in CNC machined prototypes of various metals and plastics for various industries such as medical, pharmaceutical, defense, and aerospace. He went to Pennsylvania College of Technology majoring in Automated Manufacturing Technology.
As a Lancaster native, David enjoys the outdoors, specifically kayaking where he loves to go on multiple day camping trips. He is preparing for a 180 mile trip in Michigan in the summer of 2025. He also enjoys home renovations and spending time with his family and his dog, Rusty. David is grateful for the connections that he has made in the last 3 years as a member of LYP and is excited to be a new member of the LYP board.
