25 Years of YP: A supportive, close-knit community of leaders who care

By Amber Dyer, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing

Average reading time: 1.5 minutes

To celebrate 25 years of Young Professionals (YP), presented by Fidelity Investments, the DRC is highlighting a series of alumni to explore their experiences in YP and the program’s impact on the Dallas Region.

When Trenton Newell, Director of Reconciliation at Fidelity Investments, relocated to Dallas, he saw YP as a way make a meaningful difference in his new community.

“YP was a clear opportunity to meet other leaders who were engaged in the region and similarly wanted to make a difference,” said Newell.

Through YP, he connected with leaders from both the corporate and nonprofit sectors, gaining exposure to a range of leadership styles.

“This exposure to such a broad set of diverse thinkers [not only showed] me how transferable many leadership skills are,” said Newell, “but also how critical it is to be able to [adapt your management approach to fit] your organization’s circumstances.”

Those connections led to Newell developing lasting relationships with his cohort.

“I have kept up with numerous friends made in YP,” he said. “We occasionally meet socially and discuss our journeys. Hearing the paths they have traveled has elevated my thinking on my own journey and prompted me to explore roles and other forms of opportunity I previously hadn’t considered.”

YP’s impact extended beyond professional development through immersive community experiences. A tour of Southern Dallas became particularly meaningful for Newell, offering insights that reshaped his leadership philosophy.

“The experience opened my eyes to the potential of an entire area,” said Newell. “Which is an interesting analogue to the potential that we so often overlook in each other as well. As leaders, we need to recognize that, bring it out, and develop it in others.”

For those considering YP, Newell emphasizes the program’s unique culture of mutual support and shared commitment.

“YP is a supportive, close-knit community of leaders who care—about each other, about their coworkers, and about the Dallas Region. That’s how we thrive together as a region. YP is a conduit to making impact through and with each other—and that’s when we’re at our strongest.”