Fresh perspectives. New leadership. A renewed commitment to empowering the next generation of leaders.
The 2026 VYP Board Retreat brought together board members to connect, align on priorities, and prepare for the opportunities ahead. We are excited to welcome Lauren Smith, MPH, CFRE, Director of Community Engagement for Southwest Autism Research & Resource Center (SARRC) as the 2026 VYP Board Chair and Rachelle Giles, Vice President Local Government Relations at Goodman Schwartz Public Affairs as the newly elected Vice Chair as they help lead VYP’s mission of connecting and developing the next generation of leaders across Greater Phoenix.
Throughout the retreat, board members shared ideas, strengthened relationships, and explored ways to create meaningful experiences that support professional growth and community engagement.
A special thank you to our guest speaker, Maria Mwangi, CEO of Warehouse215 & President of WISE Arizona Chapter, for sharing valuable insights and inspiring our board to lead with purpose.
We are also excited to welcome Young & Empowered Women as our 2026 annual nonprofit partner and look forward to supporting their mission throughout the year.
Thank you to the 2026 VYP Board for your dedication and commitment to making a lasting impact in our community. We look forward to an exciting year of growth, connection, and leadership.
