PYP Celebrates 2024-25 Year and Recognizes Outstanding Members and Partners

Last month, we gathered for an incredible evening at our PYP Annual Celebration 2025 at Voices of Pensacola to celebrate another amazing year of PYP! A huge THANK YOU to all of our members, community partners, and guests who joined us to reflect on the past year, honor outstanding leaders, and look ahead to an exciting future. We had an absolute blast celebrating with delicious drinks from Tap the Coast and fantastic food from Sonny's BBQ.

We extend our deepest appreciation to our outgoing Board of Directors and Leadership Team for their dedication and leadership throughout the year, and a special thank you to our Outgoing President, Michael Tona!

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Congratulations to Our 2024-2025 Award Winners! We were proud to honor several outstanding members who have gone above and beyond in their contributions to PYP and the Pensacola community.

• PYP Member of the Year - Christy Rogers
  
  • We had the honor of recognizing Christy Rogers as our Member of the Year for her outstanding contributions to PYP and the Pensacola community! Christy went above and beyond as a dedicated member, serving on the 4th of July Fireworks Committee for the second year in a row. She played a key role in coordinating Food Truck registration with the Chamber, managing communication with vendors, and ensuring a seamless experience for all on the event day. Her nominator shared: "Christy exemplifies PYP’s core values of passion, engagement, and community. Her hard work and dedication have been instrumental in the success of our events, and we’re so grateful for her continued commitment!" Thank you, Christy, for all you do! We appreciate your leadership, enthusiasm, and dedication to PYP.
• PYP Leader of the Year - Kenon Beasley
  
  • We proudly honored Kenon Beasley with the Leader of the Year Award for his incredible leadership and impact on PYP. Kenon has been a driving force behind our Professional Development events, securing engaging speakers and creating meaningful opportunities for our members. His dedication has not only enriched our members’ growth but has also generated revenue to support PYP’s mission. His nominator shared: "Kenon is always present, greeting attendees with warmth and ensuring everyone feels welcomed. His leadership has truly elevated our professional development programming, and we couldn’t be more grateful!" Kenon, thank you for your passion, dedication, and leadership in helping PYP thrive!
• Four Core Award Winner - Anna Lochas
  
  • We had the privilege of honoring Anna Lochas with the Four Core Award for embodying PYP’s four strategic priorities: Connection, Development, Impact, and Growth. Anna has gone above and beyond in every aspect of her role, taking on countless responsibilities to keep PYP running strong. As President-Elect, she has strengthened PYP’s operations, identified areas for growth, and dedicated countless hours to ensuring the organization’s success. Her nominator shared: "No one has done more for PYP this year than Anna. She has been the glue holding PYP together and is truly shaping the future of this organization. We can’t wait to see her lead as President next year!" Anna, thank you for your unwavering commitment and leadership. We appreciate you!
• Mentor of the Year - Paul Cope
  
  • We were thrilled to recognize Paul Cope as our Mentor of the Year for his incredible dedication to supporting and guiding his mentee in the Mentor Pensacola program. His mentee shared: "Paul went above and beyond from the very beginning. He reached out immediately, scheduled regular meetups, and truly made me feel like I had someone to count on. Moving to Pensacola without many connections, Paul and his family welcomed me with open arms. He invited me to church, to his home for a Super Bowl party, and always made me feel valued. Because of Paul, Pensacola feels like home." Paul, your kindness, leadership, and commitment to mentorship are truly inspiring. Thank you for making such a meaningful impact!
• Community Partner of the Year - Greater Pensacola Chamber
  
  • We were honored to recognize the Greater Pensacola Chamber as our Community Partner of the Year for their tremendous support of PYP and young professionals in our community. The Chamber has provided countless opportunities for PYP to engage and connect. Their partnership on the 4th of July Fireworks event played a crucial role in its success, and their collaboration on the Candidate Forum allowed PYP to have a meaningful presence in an important civic conversation. Beyond event support, the Chamber has taken its commitment even further by providing PYP with a seat on their Board of Directors, ensuring young professionals have a voice in shaping the future of our community. Their nominator shared: "The Chamber has gone above and beyond for PYP, strengthening our ability to connect, develop, and engage young professionals in Pensacola. Their partnership is invaluable, and we are grateful for their continued support!" Thank you, Greater Pensacola Chamber, for being an outstanding community partner! We look forward to continuing this amazing collaboration.

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Special thanks to our event sponsors! This event wouldn’t have been possible without the support of our generous sponsors. A special shoutout to Keynote Photography for capturing the night with amazing photos!