1. HOME
  2.  | 
  3. News
  4.  | 2019 Alaska Young Professionals Summit

2019 Alaska Young Professionals Summit

Mar 12, 2019 | News, Professional Services

This year’s theme is “LEVEL UP: Learn, Grow, Inspire”

Former US Senator Mark Begich, and President/CEO of Northern Compass Group, leading a workshop on strategies for success at the 2017 Alaska Young Professionals Summit.

Pal Photography

ANCHORAGE – The Anchorage Chamber of Commerce’s Young Professionals Group (YPG) hosts the fourth annual Alaska Young Professionals Summit on March 29-30, 2019 at the Dena’ina Civic & Convention Center. This growing group is preparing for another successful statewide Summit to develop Alaska’s workforce and prepare, motivate, and inspire them to be better, more productive leaders and employees in their communities.
 
The two-day summit will host immersive workshops and compelling seminars presented by successful and experienced government, business, and community leaders, and other experts in their field. Programs and events are geared towards all levels of employees and executives, and welcomes professionals of all industries.
 
The group is excited to welcome the 2019 keynote speaker, Richard Montañez, Vice President of Multicultural Sales & Community Promotions across PepsiCo’s North American divisions. Richard started his PepsiCo career at Frito-Lay in 1976 as a janitor in its Rancho Cucamonga plant. He is recognized as the creator of the Flamin’ Hot line of products including Flamin’ Hot Cheetos, which influenced future ethnic products and the first Frito-Lay Hispanic marketing team. In addition, Richard helped influence Hispanic products and marketing promotions for KFC and Taco Bell.

Current Issue

Alaska Business Magazine January 2026 cover

January 2026

Speakers include, but are not limited to: Jodie Hettrick, Fire Chief, Anchorage Fire Dept.; Diane Kaplan, Rasmuson Foundation; US Senator Lisa Murkowski; Mark Begich, CEO, Northern Compass Group and Former U.S. Senator; Jennifer Thompson, CEO, Thompson & Co.; Laurie Wolf, CEO, The Foraker Group; Jason Metrokin, CEO, Bristol Bay Native Corporation; and Sheldon Fisher, Former Alaska Commissioner of Revenue; Former Trustee, Alaska Permanent Fund Corporation.

Sessions include, but are not limited to: “Flippin a Biz” – Buying and Selling; “This Rounds on Me!” – Craft Brewing Panel; “Negotiations in the Six Figures and Up”; “Oopsisms”; and “Business Behind the Band.” For a list of additional sessions and speakers, visit bit.ly/AKYPGsummitTIX.

This year’s Summit award finalists for Alaska Young Professional of the Year are: Corey Hester, Executive Director, Alaska Airmen Association; Stephanie Plieness, Senior Account Manager, Thompson & Co.; and Calvin Schrage, Executive Director, Frontier Tutoring

Finalists for the Alaska Entrepreneur of the Year are: Randee Johnson, President, SafeLogic Alaska, LLC; Amber McDonald, Co-Founder/CEO, Indemnis; and Pamela Parker, Owner, Everything Bagels.

Award winners will be announced at the keynote dinner on Saturday evening of the Summit, March 30, 2019.
 
To register for the 2019 Summit, visit bit.ly/AKYPGsummitTIX

Video courtesy of ACC Young Professionals Group

Industry Sponsor

Become an Industry Sponsor

Related Articles
Alaska Business Magazine January 2026 cover
In This Issue
JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT OF ALASKA + INDUSTRY SUPPORT
January 2026
In our first issue of 2026, we are again featuring two special sections: Junior Achievement of Alaska and Industry Support.

We’re honored again this year to celebrate our partnership with Junior Achievement of Alaska, a nonprofit that educates local youth about enterprise, business, money, and financial literacy. In the special section, three Junior Achievement of Alaska students weigh in on their experience with the exceptional volunteers and teachers involved with the program.

And in Industry Support, we explore the range of varied services that industry in Alaska requires, from mancamps to spill response to off-grid energy solutions.

Outside the special sections, make sure to check out the 2026 Economic forecast, where Alaska leaders share their insights on what may lie ahead in the coming year. Enjoy!

Share This