We expanded our footprint in the community by sponsoring Austin’s arts and culture scene, including outings to Blues on the Green and The Austin Symphony Orchestra, organized by theImagine Committee. We also had a bigger focus on giving back to our community. Not only did the Leadership Service Committee clean the new boardwalk with The Trail Foundation, they cooked dinners at the Ronald McDonald House, entertained children at Kidstrong, and put a running team together for the CASA of Travis County 5k Superhero Run. The Imagine Committee and Leadership Service Committee did big things in 2014, and we have even bigger plans in 2015.Whether you made it out to some, none, or all of these events, your dues made it possible for us to develop new curriculums and bring back successful programs. This year, we were able to host our annual Non-Profit Fair, a conversation for first time home buyers, a program called “Taking Care of Business” for folks interested in starting a company, and the first-ever young professional survey, where we partnered with nearly every other chamber of commerce in Austin.

You made it possible for us to expand our partnerships too. We have exciting work we will be announcing at our State of AYC: Annual Meeting on February 6th, highlighting the work we did with nearly 20 other young professional groups in Central Texas.

I spent the first part of the year trying to listen to your ideas and concerns. Katherine Randow, our Director of Development and Member Relations, came on board this summer and we have been working furiously to create more exclusive programs for annual members and a way for you to pay monthly, quarterly, or bi-annually. When you are a member, you make Austin better. We want to make sure you know how appreciated you are for making that possible. That is why we are also going to be announcing a perks program in January for members only.

In my first year as Executive Director, it has been a humbling experience to meet so many of you and to hear your ideas. In 2015, I look forward to helping you make your dreams possible and giving you the tools you want to be successful. If you haven’t taken the Member Survey to help plan for 2015 programs yet, you can do so here.

I’d also like our incredible 2014 board for the work they have done this year. As some of these leaders take on the next challenges and opportunities in their lives, we are also excited to have 5 members joining the board in 2015. Their experience in the community, within AYC, and their passion is only rivaled by the AYC membership.I’d also like to thank all of our sponsors and partners for 2015. We are honored to have University Federal Credit Union, Brown Distributing Company, Google, Baylor Executive MBA, Keller Williams Realty International, Independence Title Company, Yellow Cab Austin, Texas Evening MBA, BB&T, Den Property Group, Concordia University, MakerSquare, and CapMetro as Platinum- and Gold-level sponsors. In addition, UMBEL, Alt Creative, Courreges PC, Strategic Payment Systems, TriNet and so many other partners for making it possible for us to do the work we do.

Thank you all and have a fantastic new year!