President
Zach Pavey
Zach is a Lexington native and alumnus of Tates Creek High School and the University of Kentucky. He has been in the finance sector since 2019 and is currently working as a residential and commercial lender for HSLC Banking and Financial Services in Lexington. Zach is passionate about networking and bringing professionals together to build relationships needed to be successful in business. He is excited to join the LYPA Steering Council in the role of President and is looking forward to aiding in bringing people together.
Secretary
Jessica Barnes
Jessica is the Secretary of the Lexington Young Professional Association. A Kentucky native and University of Kentucky Finance graduate, Jessica brings eight years of financial services and wealth management experience to the board. After earning her Certified Financial Planning certificate in 2020, Jessica has spent the last three years working on financial plans with clients that help reach their goals and build their legacy. Jessica joined LYPA in 2024 and is looking forward to enhancing LYPA’s impact in the community and connecting with fellow young professionals in Lexington. Outside of work, Jessica balances her professional life by enjoying travel, experimenting with new recipes, and spending time with friends.
Public Relations Chair
Celeste Presley
Celeste is a Kentucky native with a Bachelor’s degree in English from Campbellsville University. She has been in the nonprofit sector for five years in various roles, and is currently managing grant funding and special projects for early childhood education programs.
In addition to LYPA, Celeste is a member of the Junior League of Lexington, and is a member of the JLL bloom newsletter committee. She also recently joined the RadioLex community radio team where she will serve as a show host, and in other volunteer capacities.
This is her first year as PR chair of LYPA and she is looking forward to encouraging others in the nonprofit field to pursue their own professional development.
Technology Chair
Brandon Metts
Brandon is a Taylorsville, Kentucky native and holds a Bachelor’s in Business Economics from the University of Kentucky’s Gatton College. He has over 13 years of retail banking and lending experience and also works for a local tax preparation company during tax season. He greatly enjoys networking with other professionals in Lexington and across the state.
When he is not working Brandon loves spending time with his wife and three daughters and attending church at Southland Christian. He is a passionate supporter of public education and serves on the SBDM Council for Squires Elementary School. He is a member of two Masonic lodges: Devotion #160 and Emulation #688. He also sings tenor with the Kentuckians Chorus and has previously served on their board of directors. He is an avid collector of sports memorabilia and enjoys supporting the Cats and playing video games.
SPECIAL EVENTS CHAIR
Chrissy Herren
Christine Herren is from Lexington, KY and has a BA in Arts Administration/Theatre and a MS in Community Leadership Development from the University of Kentucky. She works for Life Plan of Kentucky in Special Needs Trust Planning. She is the co-founder of her own nonprofit called First Generation Women Achievers of the Bluegrass, helping women who are first in their families to graduate from college. She started a children’s book series called Under the Angel Tree: The Eileen Series.
MENTORSHIP Chair
Bryce Wilson
Bryce is a Lexington native and resident. He is a former Eastern Kentucky University football player and graduate with a Bachelors degree in International Business with a certification in Corporate Communications. He is currently the Advertising Account Manager for The Group Travel Leader based in Lexington. He also owns his own bourbon brand with a podcast that will soon have its own bourbon as well. Bryce is in his second year of membership with LYPA and he is also a member of the Kentucky Black Bourbon Guild.