By Julie Andress, KeyBanc Capital Markets

2025 STA Chair

Each year, the STA Chair outlines to the Board of Governors his or her key priorities for the year. In 2024, Past Chair Jim Hyde made it a priority to spotlight and support the more than 15 STA affiliates throughout the country and ensure the attendance of at least one STA Board member at their events. With over 75 affiliate events in 2024, this was no easy task – but he made it happen. During my term as 2025 STA Chair, I aim to bring that same dedication to reaching more key milestones.

One of my top priorities for the year is centered around the growth of STA’s Young Professionals network. I can personally attest to the value of a strong young professional community and the benefits it provides for the STA community. In just three months since my appointment as Chair, I have had the pleasure of meeting with several individuals focused on building this network at the local affiliate level.

We have seen promising growth among STA affiliates in establishing a network for younger professionals. With the launch of STANY’s Emerging Leaders and STA Chicago’s YP programs, along with events targeted at young professionals at ITAP in Philadelphia, we have seen impressive strides made in welcoming junior members to the STA community. Nationally, we have introduced an STA Young Professionals conference admission package to expose junior members to the content and networking opportunities our conference provides.

Many of us who have been in the industry for at least a decade, have witnessed how rapidly the industry can change. Our relationships, many of which we established early in our careers, not only helped us adapt to change but allowed us to grow and thrive over the years. While times have changed, we all remember what it was like to start our careers in this profession, how we have evolved and the mentors who helped guide us.  As members of STA, we’re fortunate enough to be part of a community that embraces change, education and collaboration – sharing these values with the next generation of leaders will only foster greater success, diversity, and expertise within our industry.

If your firm or affiliate has an influx of young professionals, do what you can to make them feel welcome, whether it’s an event targeted at younger members, engaging with local universities, or just offering a coffee chat. If you know someone who might benefit from joining your local STA affiliate, reach out to them – they might not even know we exist! By opening doors to organizations like STA for young professionals, we’re providing a platform for the next generation to take the stage with the confidence that will propel their success, just as it did ours.