25 Years of YP: ‘It gave me tangible tools I’ve embedded into my daily leadership’

By Amber Dyer, Coordinator, Communications & Marketing

Average Reading time: 2 minutes

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

Chase Luft, Project Executive at Turner Construction Company, was drawn to YP through his desire for a leadership community that shared his commitment to excellence, innovation, and impact.

“I was looking for a space outside of my company where I could sharpen my leadership perspective, expand my network, and engage with a broader cross-section of industries shaping our region,” said Luft. “The DRC’s reputation for elevating local leadership and driving real progress made YP a natural fit.”

Luft also gained valuable insight from other leaders through YP.

“Hearing from leaders across various sectors helped me realize that leadership challenges are often shared, regardless of the field,” he said. “I’ve learned to pause before reacting, to lead with questions instead of answers, and to invest in mentoring as both a responsibility and a privilege. Being in rooms with equally driven people, but on different paths, expanded my definition of success.”

YP played a pivotal role in helping Luft better understand and refine his leadership skills.

“Through programs like LEAD YP, I gained clarity on how I lead in high-pressure environments, how I communicate vision across teams, and how to balance operational discipline with long-term strategic thinking,” he said. “The assessments, workshops, and peer feedback pushed me beyond self-perception and into intentional growth.”

A pivotal moment in his development occurred during a strength-based leadership and adaptive problem-solving session, where Luft redefined his approach to delegation and team empowerment.

“I brought those insights directly back to my role. Especially as I’ve continued to build a culture of ownership and accountability among those I lead,” he said. “LEAD YP didn’t just inspire—it gave me tangible tools I’ve embedded into my daily leadership.”

YP has also made a significant impact on his career journey.

“It reinforced the importance of community-minded leadership and the need to show up not just for my company, but for the region we’re building together,” said Luft. “It’s also challenged me to think more holistically about people’s development and about what it means to be a leader others trust.”

To Luft, leadership should never occur in isolation, and YP embodies that belief by creating a space where participants can both give and receive.

“Whether you’re early in your career or stepping into more senior roles, YP connects you to ideas, people, and opportunities that accelerate your trajectory. It challenges you to not just lead your team, but to lead with purpose in your community. In a city as dynamic as Dallas, that kind of leadership matters [now] more than ever.”