YPN Spotlight: Abbey Chapman

How did you get into public finance, and what led you to the Young Professionals Network (YPN)? 
I was first interested in public finance when I had a summer internship with the City of Rock Hill, South Carolina, where I work full time now. Public finance was not on my radar until I started my internship with the city, and I quickly realized how rewarding a career in public finance could be. I loved that finance touched every aspect of a community and that by working in this field, I could make my community a better place. I was drawn to the Young Professionals Network because I realized there were not a lot of networking opportunities and resources for those who were just starting out in their career. YPN offers a community of individuals who are all, “in the same boat,” so to speak with similar needs, interests, and challenges in their careers.

What role do you think YPN plays in shaping the future of public finance leadership?
The Young Professionals Network is helping shape the future of public finance leadership by connecting those who will hold leadership roles in the decades to come. By building a strong network now, young professionals across the country can be connected and have colleagues to rely on throughout their careers, especially as they step into leadership roles. By offering a platform to talk through successes and challenges, young professionals can feel empowered to take the next step in their careers.

How does YPN help with mentorship and development for its members?
YPN mentors and develops its members through in-person and online events where young professionals can meet to discuss their challenges and gain resources on how to overcome them. Discussions are often geared towards leadership development, building confidence in the workplace, working to move up in your organization, keeping up with ever-changing technology, and other pertinent topics that young professionals are concerned with.