
WAVE YPN: Panel Perspectives - Leadership & Mentorship
Thursday, April 24, 2025 (11:30 AM - 1:30 PM) (CDT)
Description
Join the WAVE Young Professionals Network for their April event, Panel Perspectives - Leadership & Mentorship at the Brainerd Lakes Fire Department on April 24 from 11:30AM-1:30PM! Get ready to gain valuable insights from a diverse group of leadership and mentorship experts. Learn actionable strategies, tips, and real-world advice on how to take charge of your career, build lasting relationships, and become a leader others want to follow.
Full speaker list and schedule of events will be added soon!
This event is FREE for WAVE Members. Guests are $25.
Key Takeaways
- Actionable Leadership Strategies: Learn from industry leaders how to take charge of your career and build lasting relationships to become the type of leader others want to follow.
- Peer Mentorship: Insights from Paula Chapulis on the Peer 360 program, which connects business leaders for peer-driven, actionable advice in a structured, supportive environment.
- Real-World Advice: Panelists will offer real-world advice on leadership, organizational management, and creating effective work environments.
- Building Professional Networks: Attendees will have opportunities for networking and growing their careers through leadership and mentorship in the local business community.
Guest Speaker
Paula Chapulis, Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce Director of Blue Ox Business Academy will giving a short presentation on Peer 360 Groups, a unique program designed to help business leaders get real, actionable advice from trusted peers to tackle tough decisions. Peer 360 offers an opportunity to connect, learn, and grow with others in a structured, supportive environment. Paula has over 30 years of experience in leadership, team building, and executive coaching. Her presentation is a great chance to gain valuable insights that can help you thrive in your career and navigate challenges with confidence.
Meet the Panel
Kristi Westbrock is the CEO at Consolidated Telephone Company (CTC) and has been with the Cooperative since 2007. She has over 25 years of experience in the telecommunications industry and has a strong background in human resources, sales and marketing and business operations, strategic planning and product development. Kristi is a graduate of South Dakota State University and has her Senior Professional of Human Resources and Senior Certified Professional accreditations. Kristi has a passion for organizational management, strategy, effective communication and creating unique work environments/experiences while driving business revenues. Kristi has been integral in the cooperative development and partnerships with new opportunities at CTC.
Kristi is a working Mom to 14-year old Emily, a devoted wife of 20 years to Mike and a loving companion to her Springer Spaniel, Aero. Kristi’s passions outside of work include live music, cooking, entertaining, pheasant hunting and spending time on the lake in the summer Minnesota months. Kristi is the Vice-Chair of NTCA’s Group Health Plans and is the Chair of the Initiative Foundation.
Jose Alba has been dedicated to the healthcare industry for 14 years. He pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Health Services Administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead, with minors in Management and Spanish, and was also a competed in track and field as a thrower. He holds a Master’s in Business Administration. Jose is a Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives and is a certified rural hospital CEO through the National Rural Health Association. Jose has served on several non-profit boards and local civic clubs.
Currently, Jose serves as the President of CentraCare - Long Prairie Medical Campus and Baxter Family Medicine. He has a deep passion for rural medicine and has dedicated his entire career to improving rural healthcare operations and care delivery.
Jose was born in California to parents originally from Mexico. He moved to central Minnesota at a young age and attended school at Staples-Motley, where he has held the school record for shot put and discus since 2008. After college, he returned to the area and married his high school sweetheart, Katie Alba. They have three children: Mia (8), Andre (6), and Sofia (2). The family has been residing in Wadena, Minnesota, for the past 11 years.
In addition to his professional commitments, Jose is passionate about mentorship and helping others succeed. He also has entrepreneurial interests in real estate and investing in businesses. In his free time, Jose enjoys traveling, being a foodie, and staying competitive, particularly in golf, although he now mostly competes with himself.
Matt Kilian, is the president of the Brainerd Lakes Chamber of Commerce, a regional business association that operates the Pequot Lakes and Crosslake Chambers as well as the Explore Brainerd Lakes Welcome Center. He has a background in rural economic development, marketing and philanthropy through 15 years with the Minnesota Initiative Foundations, most recently as Vice President of the Initiative Foundation in Little Falls.
Matt holds Bachelor’s and Master’s Degrees in Mass Communications from St. Cloud State University. He currently serves on the boards of the Bush Foundation, WonderTrek Children’s Museum, Lakes Area Music Festival, Central Lakes College Advisory Council and Crow Wing Power Community Trust. He lives in Nisswa with his wife, Jeanne, a special education teacher.
Schedule
11:30 AM - 11:40 AM // Check-in & Networking
11:40 AM - 12:00 PM // Guest Speaker, Paula Chapulis
12:00 PM - 1:00 PM // Panel Interview
1:00 PM - 1:15 PM // Event Wrap-up & Raffle Prizes
Raffle prizes:
- Two copies of Extreme Ownership: How U.S. Navy SEALs Lead and Win by Jocko Willink and Leif Babin
What is WAVE Young Professionals Network?
WAVE YPN is a NEW networking and professional development program for individuals aged 18-39 in the Brainerd Lakes Area. This program is organized by the Brainerd Lakes Chamber and led by a team of young individuals representing a wide variety of industries across our community.
Thank You Sponsors!
WAVE is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors. Become a sponsor and view sponsor benefits on our website.
Sponsors
Event Sponsor
WAVE Sponsor
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WAVE Members: FREE
Guests: $25
23 Laurel St
Brainerd, MN 56401 United States
Education
Brainerd Lakes Chamber Event
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