Northern Kentucky Young Professionals (NKYP) announced Hank Heidrich, financial advisor at Merrill Lynch, as its 2024-25 chair. Heidrich’s role as chair officially began on Sept. 1 taking the reins from the outgoing chair, Jimmy Beatrice, benefits advisor with Business Benefits Insurance Solutions.

Part of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s effort to focus on talent attraction and retention, NKYP strives to create opportunities for young professionals in the region by focusing on the future of talent. This includes connecting with peers, enhancing professional development opportunities, and supporting regional goals to ensure that the Northern Kentucky/Cincinnati metro region has the YP talent needed to grow and compete at a national level.

NKYP focuses on three primary goals: (1) Expanding professional and social networks for young professionals; (2) Connecting young professionals with quality programming and events to support growth and development; (3) Engaging young professionals in the community with a goal to make a difference in their companies and the region.

Under Beatrice’s leadership as chair, NKYP met several organizational goals including reintroducing the NKYP Event Pass, which provides YPs discounted access to most NKY Chamber events so they can take full advantage of professional growth opportunities at an affordable rate for both themselves and their employers.

NKYP also built upon its programming by hosting several signature events and partnering with other young professional groups in the region to expand networks and connections. Over the course of Beatrice’s term, NKYP supported multiple nonprofit organizations including Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky through its Community Impact Partnership (formerly known as the Service Learning Project), which provided multiple volunteer experiences for young professionals in the Northern Kentucky community. NKYP also supported Be Concerned by collecting toys that were donated to the organization’s toy drive as part of a holiday giving campaign.

“I am honored to have had the opportunity to lead such an incredible group of young professionals who are making a positive impact in our community,” said Beatrice. “Together, we have not only been able to make a difference locally, but also create and foster meaningful opportunities for connection that help the lives and careers of those in our region.”

NKY Chamber Director of Events and NKYP Kyle Frizzell shares the same sentiment and is looking forward to the future of the program.

“During his time as NKYP chair, Jimmy did a fantastic job of taking the extra steps to engage our region’s young professionals by delivering effective programming and offering impactful ways to contribute to and engage with the community,” said Frizzell. “I am confident that Jimmy’s leadership has laid the groundwork for Hank to continue to elevate the great resources that NKYP provides for our region’s young professionals.”

As the incoming chair, Heidrich will enhance NKYP’s impact by increasing engagement in signature events, revamping the programming to feature topics that are not only interesting and thought-provoking but also educational, relevant and practical for career development. Heidrich is also looking forward to building on the success of the Community Impact Partnership with continued support for local nonprofits.

“As NKYP chair, my goals for the year are to continue to explore ways we can expand our reach and get more young professionals involved in meaningful roles in the NKY Metro region,” Heidrich said. “Whether it is serving on a committee, attending volunteer opportunities, or simply coming to networking events, I look forward to providing our region’s next great leaders with opportunities to be involved, learn, and lead.”

Heidrich has been working in the financial industry for over seven years, currently working at Merrill Lynch as a Financial Advisor. A graduate of the University of Cincinnati Carl H. Lindner College of Business, Heidrich began his career at Fifth Third Private Bank where he served as a Private Banker. He then stepped into the same role at Central Bank & Trust, before joining Merrill Lynch, where he has been since the beginning of 2023.

In addition to his volunteer roles with the NKY Chamber, Heidrich also volunteers his time with Easterseals Redwood, a local nonprofit serving people with disabilities, veterans and individuals facing economic disadvantages. A lifelong Northern Kentuckian, Heidrich was raised in Villa Hills, Kentucky, and currently lives in Ft. Thomas with his wife and two children.

To learn more about NKYP and ways you can get involved, visit NKYChamber.com/NKYP.

The 2024-2025 NKYP leadership team is:

NKYP Program Sponsors:

Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce