ST. PETE YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (SPYP)
The St. Petersburg Area Chamber of Commerce's St. Pete Young Professionals (SPYP) program helps present young professionals with unique opportunities to get involved in the community through areas of service, leadership, and advocacy, while striving to be a driving force for economic development in St. Petersburg.
Supported by the Bay Area Chamber Foundation, SPYP aspires to be recognized as Florida’s leading young professional organization offering exceptional networking, professional development, and community involvement services to our members.
Becoming an SPYP member provides you with access to exclusive events, networking, community service, and professional development opportunities.
2023 activities may be virtual, hybrid, or in-person as deemed appropriate by the St. Pete Chamber of Commerce according to local, state, and federal guidelines. Membership fees are non-refundable.
Chamber Member Rate: $50
Non-Chamber member rate: $75
Annual Membership: January 1 – December 31.
Why join SPYP?
Are you a young professional interested in the future of St. Petersburg and the greater Tampa Bay area? Do you want to become active and engaged in your community and expand your network? We invite you to learn more about St. Pete Young Professionals.
There are a number of ways to get involved. Interested young professionals are welcome to plug in through various networking, committee, and service events.
You can help plan upcoming SPYP events, serve your community, and support your local business community. From networking happy hours and leadership development opportunities to advocacy education and community service, there’s a way for everyone to participate.
Our committees and events allow members (and soon to be members) to dive deeper into issues and take on leadership roles.
Quarterly Engagement Meetings
Attend our Quarterly Engagement Meetings to meet SPYP leadership and learn about upcoming SPYP events and opportunities available to you as a young professional. This meeting is open to SPYP members.
Committee Meetings
Each month, SPYP leadership hosts committee meetings to dive deeper into issues and provide ways to engage. Our current committees include:
- Advocacy
- Membership
- Events
- Community Service
- Marketing
- Diversity & Inclusion
Networking Events
On the third Thursday of the month, join young professionals for CONNECT: Happy Hour. Enjoy happy hour specials and appetizers while making new friends and professional connections! SPYP members are free, potential members are $10.
Professional Development Events
St. Pete Young Professional members have exclusive opportunities to meet with community leaders in St. Pete.
2023 Executive Board Members
Chris Griffin
City of St. Petersburg
2024 Chair
A Pinellas County native, Chris Griffin is grateful to call Downtown St. Pete his home. Chris is a proud USF alum and former Student Body President with degrees in Political Science and Economics, and he holds a Master's from Texas A&M in Public Service and Administration.
Currently, as the Economic Development Coordinator for the City of St. Pete, Chris helps to grow small businesses in St. Pete. With a keen eye for community impact, Chris serves as Chair of St. Pete Young Professionals and is a distinguished member of Leadership St. Pete '23 and the Forward Pinellas Citizen Advisory Board.
In his free time Chris is a huge Rays fan and a big movie buff. He can be found running St. Pete’s beautiful waterfront or relaxing at one of our fantastic breweries.
Ryan Adelberg
Pridestaff
Vice Chair & Incoming 2025 Chair
Ryan Adelberg is the Business Development Manager for PrideStaff. Ryan has his Bachelor's in Political Science from The University of Tampa. Ryan previously served as the Advocacy Chair for St Pete Young Professionals.
Ryan has been part of The St. Pete Chamber of Commerce for the past 3 years and has been active on committee's that include; Public Policy, Transportation, HLUD, Downtown Waterfront Master Plan and more. Ryan has spoken to our committees as a local workforce expert on issues ranging from "The Impacts of Housing on the Workforce and Employers" to "The impacts of Transportation on Employment". Ryan will be the Vice Chair for the 2024 term.
Cynthia Wyre
Rapid 7
2024 Community Service Chair
Cynthia, a proud Florida native, calls St. Pete home having spent over a decade immersed in the vibrant community. A distinguished graduate of USFSP with a BS in Health Science, she navigated an unconventional path, transitioning from the world of health science to Cyber Security.
With a diverse background as a Project Manager and working five seasons with the Tampa Bay Rays, Cynthia's journey proves that the path to success is never linear. She embraces challenges, reaching beyond her comfort zone with consistent efforts towards personal growth.
Currently thriving in the realm of Cyber Security, Cynthia balances her professional life with active community involvement. Her dedication extends beyond the workplace, as she joined SPYP to meet fellow young professionals and network during a job search period.
In her free time, Cynthia finds solace in St. Pete's treasures, from hammocking in scenic spots to enjoying the sun-kissed beaches. As an advocate for individuality and community, she pursues her interests with unwavering determination, exercising patience as a key virtue.
For Cynthia, life is about embracing the journey, and she continues to make waves in both her professional and personal pursuits.
Juan Carlos
Stupid Simple Tools
2024 Membership Chair
I’m Juan – I moved to St Pete from Gainesville in March of 2023, and two days later I attended my first SPYP connect and immediately fell in love with the group. One of my new years resolutions was to simply meet new people and create meaningful connections – I found that and more in SPYP. For work I lead a small design and engineering agency in the Woodlawn area, but in my spare time you will find me jet skiing on the water or building something in my workshop.
Sarah DiGregory
Archon Benefits
2024 Connect Chair
Sarah, a native of Philadelphia, has been a resident of St. Pete since July 2021. She is a proud alum of East Stroudsburg University for undergrad and the University of Arizona for her Master’s. Sarah was the 2023 CONNECT chair and is excited to be returning for 2024! Being involved in SPYP has been one of Sarah’s favorite things.
Sarah is currently an Account Manager for Archon Benefits. She also has a photography business, primarily for events, where she works around the Tampa Bay region. In her free time, you can find Sarah climbing at Vertical Ventures, spending time with friends, or practicing yoga.
Jose Luis Suarez
Trop Architecture
2024 Connect Vice Chair
Jose became an SPYP member in 2023 and he is very excited to start the new year as a board member. Jose has a deep love for all artforms and has found ways to express himself through creativity and design. This passion allowed him to graduate from USF with a Master degree in architecture and community design.
When Jose is not exploring new creative outlets, he continues by exploring the city and all that the community has to offer. Jose is a bit of a social butterfly so please say hi and contemplate with him about the many wonders of life!
Tyler Marrin
Smith & Associates
2024 Marketing Chair
Tyler is a driven marketing leader with a background in marketing strategy, campaign execution, branding, lead generation, and web systems development. He currently serves as the marketing director for Smith & Associates Real Estate, where he leverages his expertise to drive growth opportunities for the agents and company.
With a degree in digital marketing and multiple certifications in UX, growth systems, market research, analytics, PPC advertising, email marketing, and SEO, Tyler keeps up to date with the tools required for effective campaigns.
He has been recognized for his thought leadership in the field and serves on multiple panels, including the Leading Real Estate Companies of the World Marketing & Technology board.
Outside the office, Tyler can be found playing tennis, mountain biking, and exploring the Tampa Bay area.
Nolan Herslebs
Citi
2024 Sports & Socials Chair
Nolan Herslebs, born in Atlanta, Georgia, moved to St. Petersburg in 2021 after attending school in London for his Master of Law degree. Despite relocating to the Tampa area, Nolan remains a proud Atlanta sport fan, despite the heartache that it brings. When he isn’t cheering on the Falcons, Hawks or Braves, Nolan spends his spare time working at First American in the National Commercial Services division.
Nolan previously served on the SPYP board in 2022 - as the Community Service Chair - and is excited to come back and bring members together through sports.
Nicholas McDaniel
Tampa Bay Rowdies
2024 Sports & Socials Vice Chair
Nick grew up in Athens, Ohio and graduated from Ohio University in 2019. He spent his first stint in St Petersburg working with the Rays pre-covid and returned in 2021 to work with the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Nick joins the 2024 SPYP Executive Board as Vice Chair of Sports and Socials.
In his spare time, Nick can be found at music festivals, concerts, breweries, and sporting events. If you see Nick at an event, stop by and tell him what your favorite sneaker is, as he’s also a big sneakerhead.
Steven Nicholas
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP
2024 Advocacy Chair
Steven Nicholas was born and raised in Bradenton, Florida. After attending Boston College for undergrad, he moved back to the Sunshine State in 2018 to attend Stetson Law in Gulfport. He currently practices law as an Associate at Shumaker, Loop, & Kendrick LLP with a focus in business litigation.
Steven is a skilled pickleball and tennis player and an unskilled golfer. He enjoys reading fiction novels and writing reviews of each one. Steven is also the longtime co-host of the popular podcast “You Heard it Here Second.”
Steven is immensely excited about the growth and direction of St. Petersburg. Steven is excited to work hard to create positive change in a community he has grown to love so much.
Mission
SPYP's mission is to attract and identify the next generation of community leaders. Connect young professionals with the surrounding community through unique opportunities in the areas of service, leadership and advocacy. Engage young professionals in local corporate, community, and cultural settings.
Vision
To be recognized as Florida’s leading young professional organization offering exceptional networking, professional development, and community involvement services to our members. SPYP also strives to become a driving force for economic development in St. Petersburg through recruitment and retention of young professionals.
“SPYP has enabled me to connect with not only other leaders in the area, but with the leader in me as well.”
– Cat Lim
Graphic Designer