About Us
YPG of Cenla
Who We Are
About Us
The Young Professionals Group of Central Louisiana is a motivated, educated and community-conscious group of individuals. By connecting diverse young professionals across the area, we create a force that will both strengthen and grow Central Louisiana.
YPG of Cenla
What’s in your future? Find out how to navigate the various opportunities and transitions you’ll face as a young professional and how to reach your professional goals. Make sure you get the most from your YPG Membership.
Board Members
President
Dustin is a 2017 graduate of Louisiana State University with a Bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering. He also studied Leadership and Development and Business Economics. Dustin is the Site Digital Innovation Leader at the Procter & Gamble plant in Pineville. He is a Louisiana native and lives in Pineville with his wife, Mikella, and son, Lincoln.
Secretary
Sarah is the Digital Marketing & Engagement Specialist at Crest Industries in Pineville, Louisiana. Born and raised in Alexandria, Sarah graduated from the Manship School of Mass Communication at LSU in 2020. She now lives in Alexandria and dotes on her nephew, Levy.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT Events Chair
Karen is proud to call Alexandria her hometown. She is Program Director and Co-Founder of Cenla Voices. Her responsibilities there include coordinating the resources necessary to provide creative writing workshops which increase resiliency and confidence. Karen returns to LSUA in the Fall to pursue a degree in the social services field.
MEMBERSHIP/MARKETING CHAIR
Heather Daigrepont works at LHRDI as a Rapid Response Coordinator for The Louisiana Workforce Commission’s Rapid Response Department. She is an Alexandria native and is very active within the community. She volunteers as a Red Coat Ambassador for the Central Louisiana Regional Chamber of Commerce, serves on the advisory council for Volunteers of America, as well as numerous committees with multiple organizations. Heather and her two children live in Alexandria.
SOCIAL Events Chair
Olivia Helmer is the Director of Development and Community Relations at the Alexandria Museum of Art. Originally from Havana, Cuba, Olivia grew up in Miami and studied at the University of Florida and the University of East Anglia where she pursued degrees in Art History and Museology. She has lived in Alexandria with her husband, son and two dogs since 2019.