Saturday, October 5, 2024

Delbecchi named Young Professional of the Year

Posted

By Heather Graves

Correspondent


GREEN BAY – Diana Delbecchi, a young woman who has dedicated much of her adult life to providing a voice to the immigrant and refugee communities in the Greater Green Bay area is this year’s Young Professional of the Year.

Delbecchi, the community schools resource coordinator for the Green Bay school district, was awarded the honor during the Future 15 and Young Professionals Award event held virtually Thursday, March 25.

“I was in competition with so many great people,” Delbecchi said. “It is really, really inspiring. It gives me faith that Green Bay has a really bright future. We have so many wonderful people in this community, doing wonderful things. I can team up with all of you that were nominated with me and we can make a greater Green Bay.”

Each year, Current, a program of the Greater Green Bay Chamber, recognizes the accomplishments of talented young professionals (ages 21-40) making an impact in Greater Green Bay.

Because of COVID-19, the event was once again held virtually, with finalists gathered with family and friends at their own watch parties awaiting the winners to be announced.

A short video presentation was shown highlighting each finalist’s accomplishments leading up to the award announcements.

Event emcee, Kia Murray, checked in live with each finalist throughout the evening.

Hundreds of positive messages supporting each finalist flooded the event’s message boards as the night went along.

To add to the anticipation, the audience virtually followed Mallory Nash, Current program manager, as she surprised each winner at their watch parties to present them with their awards.

Delbecchi was recognized as this year’s Young Professional of the Year for her contributions to the Greater Green Bay community – professionally and personally.

In her role as community schools resource coordinator, a relatively new position in the district, Delbecchi helps young leaders achieve their dreams and advocates for culturally responsive curriculum improvements.

“I have been really blessed to be part of this community,” she said. “Bringing my talents to the work that I am doing has brought me joy every single day. I am so thankful to have the team that I have and my family here with me tonight. I am very grateful.”

Delbecchi was chosen from this year’s pool of Future 15 recipients.

The other finalists include: Ashley Bethke, Bryan Carr, Cathryn Siolka, Joshua Kohnhorst, Kim Westover, Billy Korinko, Cameron Teske, Chelsea Kocken, Joshua Loritz, Marissa Heim, Brad LaPierre, Cassandra Erickson, Kathryn Trulley and Meredith Hansen.

Two other awards were given during the event.

Katrina Magnuson, owner and winemaker at LedgeStone Vineyards, was selected as this year’s Young Entrepreneur.

“I totally wasn’t expecting this,” she said. “The people standing behind me right now, are not only the words, but the faces, I go to for the support and inspiration that led us here today.”

Magnuson was selected for stepping outside her comfort zone to build and lead a successful and dynamic area business.

The other nominees for the Young Entrepreneur Award include Sadey Broecker, Lux Life Chiropractic; Trevor Folker, MVMT Performance & Rehabilitation, LLC; Rachael Phillips, RP Photography; and Julie Gile, Julie M. Gile Photography.

UnitedHealthcare was recognized as the 2021 Next Generation Best Place to Work.

It was chosen for its workplace culture which values diversity and community engagement.

The other finalists were American Tent and KerberRose.

“To all our award recipients – you are a true inspiration to me and the work (Current) does,” said Nash. “Every single one of y’all are amazing. Current is proud to have such a tremendous representation of young professionals and business leaders within the area.”

Leading up to, and during the event, Current held a silent basket auction filled with local flair.

The auction generated more than $3,500 to help support the organization’s programming costs and events.

For more information about the Future 15 & Young Professional Awards and Current Young Professionals, visit greatergbc.org/workforce/current-young-professionals.

Diana Delbecchi, Young Professional of the Year