Wyman’s Young Professionals Network

Mission

The Young Professionals Network (YPN) is a bridge connecting Wyman to a community of young professionals. YPN members provide relevant guidance to Wyman, engage with Wyman’s board, and support young people in Wyman programs. Through fun and intentional events, YPN members connect, share common experiences, and support the work of Wyman.

Vision

YPN members envision a group that:

Supports Wyman’s mission to empower young people.
Cultivates a new generation of leaders.
Connects Wyman with a broad community of young professionals.
Provides relevant and meaningful opportunities for members.

Values

YPN Members Value:

All aspects of diversity within the group, including cultural, socio-economic, racial, and professional
Prioritizing community building and leadership opportunities.
A dynamic relationship with Wyman, including both providing and receiving mentoring.
The power of young people and youth-adult partnerships.
The importance of learning new skills and teaching from experience.

YPN Leadership

Make your annual commitment to the YPN

Click here to make your annual commitment to join the YPN

Want more information about YPN before joining?

Fill out this form or send an email to YPN@wymancenter.org and we’ll be in touch!

lisa 'lele' nolan
Service Chair; Wyman alumna

Lisa Nolan is the founder of HealingSheGotFaith, which focuses on grieving people who are on the self-love journey. Lisa is the host of the HealingSheGotFaith Talk Show and owns The Healing Community office. Lisa has a Bachelor of Science in Social Work and a Master of Social Work with an emphasis in Community and Organization with a Specialization in Non-Profit Management. The main mission of Lisa’s heart is to encourage people to turn their pain into passion and love you the way you love the world.

Why Wyman?

I have been involved with Wyman since I was 12 years old. Wyman showed me my path, and I learned about leadership, diversity, life skills, and what type of people I needed in my life. I graduated from Wyman in 2010 and when Wyman became partners with the college I was attending, I was brought back into Wyman for two years. Then, I became a volunteer and donor. Now I am one of the Co-Chairs of Wyman’s Young Professional Network and I am still a faithful volunteer.

From camping to picking high schools to colleges to Wyman supporting me when both my parents were deceased to helping me figure out my career to still checking on me even though I am in my 30s, Wyman has always been there. Wyman was the foundation for my future. Friends from when I was 12 still speak to me because of Wyman. When I grew up, I became the woman I envisioned myself being while hiking through the woods, something I never thought I would experience.

Why Wyman? Because Wyman still chose the world even when the world didn’t know what was going on. I am a product of Wyman and I am proud of that!

Kayman Sykes
Social Chair

Kayman Sykes (He/Him) is Vice President, Fair and Responsible Banking Officer at Enterprise Bank and Trust . Kayman is a Mississippi native and matriculated at the University of Mississippi in Biochemistry with a minor in neuroscience. Kayman is active in the community in a number of ways, including as a member of the Advisory Boards for both the Minnesota State University in Mankato and CommonBond Communities, LLC in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He is a board member for the Baltimore, Maryland-based Charm City Community Development Organization.

Why Wyman?

Why not Wyman?! Wyman is an impactful organization that has a dynamic reach across the communities specializing in our future, the youth! From my personal experience attending an event during the pandemic, I witnessed Wyman’s impactful work and dynamic work and immediately knew I wanted to get involved.

Dr. Justavian Tillman
Growth & Development Chair

Dr. Justavian D. Tillman (He/Him) is the Senior Manager of Medical Education Programs at Washington University in St. Louis where he oversees the Department of Pathology and Immunology’s educational initiatives. Additionally, Justavian serves as the Faculty Advisor for the Black Men’s Coalition and as an Off-Campus Connect liaison between the university and the neighborhoods of Ames Place and Rosedale Heights. In the broader community, Justavian is also involved with Big Brothers Big Sisters of American, the Urban League of Metropolitan St. Louis, and the Center for Creative Arts.

Why Wyman?

For over a century, Wyman has remained steadfast in its mission to empower students from underserved backgrounds, equipping them with the tools, resources, and opportunities necessary to reach their fullest potential. As an educator deeply rooted in this commitment, I find a compelling synergy with organizations like Wyman. They provide me with the opportunity to give back to individuals who share similar backgrounds, allowing me to pay forward the support and guidance I received during my own journey. In this way, I’m helping to pave the way for the next generation, just as others once did for me.

Jaylen Bledsoe
Ex-Officio Chair; Wyman Alumnus

Jaylen D. Bledsoe serves as the Chairman of the Bledsoe Collective, Inc. and the Managing Director of Flare Partners. Through his work with Flare Partners, Jaylen has played a pivotal role in driving over $4B in new client revenue and overseeing more than $10B in client P&Ls. He has been involved with many community organizations, including the Mathews-Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, the Biome School, and the National Youth Rights Association. In 2021, Jaylen was elected to Wyman’s Board of Trustees and is one of the co-founders of Wyman’s Young Professionals Network.

Why Wyman?

I think for me it really comes down to Wyman has been an incredible part of my life and an incredible part of many of my friends lives and their development as adults who can give back to their community. Wyman is a family, and most importantly Wyman is sticky. Whether you’re serving on the board, on the staff, or as a camp counselor you’re going to come back to Wyman because of the impact that it’s had on you and your family.

Previous YPN Events

Taste of Camp Wyman – 10/21/2023

Current and future YPN members headed out for a nostalgic day at Camp Wyman. Those who participated pushed themselves out of their comfort zones on the climbing wall and zip line; learned camp songs; and connected with new people who quickly became new friends.