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Begin the day with the Young Professionals Summit and meet other young professionals (39 years and younger) from the workplace hospitality and amenities segment – right before SHFM’s Critical Issues Conference! At this year’s Young Professionals Summit, attendees will explore the key dimensions of whole-person health, from social and financial well-being to emotional and mental resilience. Through insights from industry experts, peer networking and interactive sessions, young professionals will learn strategies to foster meaningful relationships and enhance productivity to thrive both in the workplace and home.

Where

Citi
45 Hubert St
New York, NY 10013

When

Wednesday, April 2

Register

(39 years and younger)

We highly encourage you to attend the Critical Issues Conference, immediately following the Summit, but you may choose to only attend the Young Professionals Summit.

Agenda

Tuesday, April 1 | Pre-Conference Activities

All events will take place at Citi (unless otherwise indicated)

3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.

Young Professionals Community Service Project

Ready to make a difference? The SHFM's Young Professionals will have the opportunity to pack care packages to ship to active-duty members of the military through the We Care Program. Many of our Air Force Personnel, Sailors, Marines and Soldiers are deployed, far from home, in areas with limited access to retail convenience items, the everyday things we take for granted. All necessary resources will be provided. During registration, you can also donate to help cover shipping costs.

Space is very limited – register early!

5:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.

Young Professionals Informal Happy Hour (Off-Site)

Meet up with fellow young professionals at a casual happy hour! A perfect opportunity to connect the night before the Young Professionals Summit and Critical Issues Conference. Stay tuned for more details on the location!

 Wednesday, April 2 | Summit

8:15 a.m.
Registration Opens
9:00 a.m. – 10:45 a.m. 

Session 1: Whole Person Health

Part 1: Wired for Connection: Building Authentic Bonds for Personal and Professional Growth
Valerie Vander Berg, Senior Director of Sales, Metafoodx

We are all wired for connection — every single one of us. In this interactive and transformative presentation, we will explore methods for building genuine and meaningful connections, beginning with self-connection. Let’s take a journey to discover how forging meaningful relationships starts with connecting with oneself. By identifying and owning our own personal core values and using them to guide everyday decisions and actions, authenticity and genuineness will become the foundation of strong personal bonds. We will:

  • Examine the profound impact of genuine connections on both personal well-being and professional success.
  • Share relatable anecdotes and real-world examples that illustrate the power of authentic connection in various aspects of life.
  • Provide practical insights and proven strategies to help build and nurture deeper relationships—whether at home, in the workplace, or within their communities.

Leave the session with actionable tools, empowered to cultivate more meaningful connections, leading to a strong sense of fulfillment and belonging in our personal and professional lives.

Part 2: Future-Proof Your Finances
Kevin Myers, Partner/Private Wealth and Planning, Flynn Financial

Take charge of your financial future! You'll gain practical insights and strategies to refine your financial habits, set personal goals and build a solid foundation for long-term success. During this part of the session, you will:

  • Discover how small, consistent actions today can lead to significant long-term financial benefits
  • Learn to organize your finances and develop a personalized plan tailored to your goals and priorities
  • Gain the confidence to ask informed questions and seek support to better manage and understand your financial journey

Part 3: Mindfulness at Work: A Path to Productivity & Mental Resilience
Julia Travis, Service Success Manager, HMG+

Stretch the common perception of mindfulness and demonstrate how to integrate simple practices into fast-paced daily routines. Participants will explore how mindfulness enhances resilience, fosters self-compassion and improves productivity in both personal and professional settings. You will:

  • Gain an understanding of mindfulness in the context of gratitude and self-compassion
  • Explore mindfulness in the workplace as a way to prevent burnout while increasing creativity and productivity
  • Practice mindfulness strategies that can be implemented immediately
10:45 a.m. – 11:15 a.m.
Networking Break
11:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m.

Session 2: Your Seat at the Table

Back by popular demand! This is your opportunity to have intimate, professional conversations with industry leaders. Join our select industry leaders for small group discussion with tailored questions.

12:15 p.m. – 1:15 p.m.
Lunch

Thank You to Our 2025 YP Summit Planning Committee

SHFM President
Shayne Varnum, ITW Food Equipment Group

Chair
Lauren Beckwith, Guckenheimer

Advisory Group
Christine Andrews, Aramark
Xiomara Battle, Guckenheimer
Olivia Désormey, GravyWork
Sam Euler, HMG+
Ryan King, Compass Group
Natalia Lopresti, Jane Street

Interested in Being a Sponsor?

Download the sponsorship forms below and return your completed form to Michelle Romero at mromero@hqtrs.com.

2025 Young Professionals Summit Sponsorship Form
2025 Critical Issues Conference Sponsorship Program

Presenters

Kevin Myers 300 X 400

Kevin Myers, CFP®, CFA, CAIA, EA
Partner/Private Wealth and Planning
Flynn Financial

Kevin Myers focuses on bringing goal-oriented analysis, coordination and execution to clients in the areas of investments, retirement planning, risk management, tax minimization strategies, trusts and estate planning. Prior to joining Flynn Financial in 2020, Kevin was a Wealth Management Advisor at TIAA working with high-net-worth families to provide comprehensive financial planning and investment services. He also spent 16 years in New York City, London and Hong Kong as a trader for UBS and JP Morgan. He graduated from Binghamton University with a B.A. in economics.

Julia Travis 300 X 400

Julia Travis
Service Success Manager
HMG+

Julia Travis's academic pursuits reflect her deep commitment to understanding the intricacies of human connection and thought. Now residing in New York, she serves as a Service Success Manager where she applies her knowledge and passion for hospitality to educate and inspire wellness within the industry. A proud alumna of Portland State University, Julia graduated Summa cum laude honors with a B.S. in Psychology.

Valerie Vander Berg 300 X 400

Valerie Vander Berg
Senior Director of Sales
Metafoodx

Valerie Vander Berg has spent her career building meaningful connections across various industries. After starting in real estate, she has spent the last 16 years in the non-commercial foodservice industry in a variety of roles. Today, she helps foodservice clients enhance sustainability and operational efficiency. Alongside her other professional achievements, Valerie is a Master Certified Life Coach (MCLC). Her passion for connecting with others led her to this path, where she empowers individuals to tap into their innate abilities to reach their loftiest goals. Living in the mountains of Colorado, Valerie embraces adventure through skiing, hiking, mountain biking and running.

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