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07.25.25
How GiGi’s Playhouse Is Building Confident, Community-Minded Leaders With YPN
Guest Post by Drew Sannes, Past President and Current Board Member, GiGi's Playhouse Board of Directors
Young professionals sit around the table networking during YPN's Breakfast Club event.
Discover how GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo invests in leadership, confidence and community through the Young Professionals Network—and why it’s paying off.
At The Chamber, we believe that investing in young professionals is an investment in the future of our region. That belief is shared by many of our members, including GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo. As a nonprofit with limited resources but a strong commitment to people, they’ve discovered that even a small investment (like joining the Young Professionals Network) can deliver powerful results. In this article, Past Board President Drew Sannes shares how one team member’s journey through YPN sparked lasting leadership growth and strengthened their culture from the inside out.
Growing confident, connected leaders doesn’t require a big budget. It requires intention and the right opportunities.
At GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo, one of the most valuable investments we’ve made in our team is participation in the Young Professionals Network (YPN).
Because when you invest in people, even in small ways, the return is immeasurable.
Investing in People Who Drive the Mission
The strength of our mission comes from the people behind it. Helping them grow has always been a priority. YPN gave us a practical and accessible way to do just that, helping our team build skills, confidence and meaningful connections in the community.
One team member, Lexi Jameson, joined YPN shortly after starting with us in October 2023. She now serves as our Interim Executive Director and has also stepped into a leadership role within YPN. She’s more confident, more engaged and more proactive in her role than ever before. YPN helped her see herself as a leader, and she’s brought that vision and energy back to us.
A Simple Conversation That Changed Everything
At one of YPN’s Morning Buzz events (now known as Breakfast Club), Lexi struck up a conversation with a well-known local professional—someone who seemed confident and composed. Mid-conversation, that person admitted they still felt nervous about networking too.
That moment sparked something powerful for Lexi: a realization that even the most composed people have insecurities, and that courage isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about being real and choosing to engage, even when it’s uncomfortable. That shift has fueled Lexi’s confidence and changed the way she leads, and it’s making a lasting impression on our team culture.
What Growth Can Look Like
Since joining YPN, Lexi has brought back fresh energy, bold ideas and a newfound belief in her own voice. She’s leading conversations, thinking strategically and inspiring others to step up, too.
It’s proof that professional development doesn’t have to be expensive. It just has to be meaningful.
Why We Believe in YPN
As a nonprofit, we are careful with every investment we make, and YPN has been a priceless resource. It helps our team feel plugged into the Fargo-Moorhead-West Fargo community, and reminds us that we’re part of something bigger.
Lexi shared her experience this way:
“YPN has helped me realize that leadership isn't about having it all figured out; it’s about showing up, being authentic and growing through shared experiences.”
— Lexi Jameson, YPN member, interim executive director of GiGi’s Playhouse Fargo
If you’re considering it: it’s 100% worth it. Your team will grow, and they’ll bring that growth right back to your organization.
To Other Employers Wondering If It’s Worth It
Although I recently completed my term as Board President, I remain a member of the Board of Directors and continue to believe deeply in the importance of developing strong leaders. Watching someone like Lexi grow into her voice and step into her strengths is one of many reminders of how much potential can be unlocked when people are given the chance to lead.
If your organization is looking to build stronger teams, more confident contributors and deeper connections in the FMWF community, YPN is a great place to start.
Learn more about the Young Professionals Network and how to get involved today.
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