11th annual eugene yp summit

David Hersch Jr. is an entrepreneur, business owner, and community advocate who believes business is at its best when it creates a positive impact beyond its doors. As the owner of David Hersch State Farm and co-founder of Hersch Wine Lounge, David has built his career around developing people, fostering relationships, and finding meaningful ways to give back to the community he calls home.

Adriel Pickar is a community-focused leader, relationship builder, and Branch Manager with OnPoint Community Credit Union. She is passionate about building meaningful connections, supporting local organizations, and helping young professionals grow their networks with purpose. Adriel is a recipient of the Eugene Chamber 20 Under 40 Award, currently serves as Board President of the Springfield Education Foundation and has held leadership roles with local nonprofits throughout Lane County. As a graduate of Leadership Eugene-Springfield, she believes the best networking starts with genuine relationships and a willingness to help others.

Dani Chambers is a brand strategist, entrepreneur, and founder and Creative Director of Northwest Brand Design. Over the past 15 years, she's helped businesses grow through intentional branding and marketing, while navigating the realities of building a business, leading a team, and, most recently, becoming a mom to twin boys. She believes success isn't about doing more. It's about making thoughtful decisions about where your time and energy belong. In her session, Dani will explore how healthy boundaries can help create a more sustainable, fulfilling life at work, at home, and everywhere in between.

Kendra Goldberg is a family business operator, and mother of four. She is the GM of Just Move Fitness. Kendra works across her family's commercial real estate business. Her work intersects small business, family enterprise, and operational problem-solving. Outside of her business roles, Kendra serves as a Trustee of the Chambers Family Foundation and as President-Elect of the Eugene Family YMCA Board of Directors.

Ness Zolan is the Senior Director of Economic Development, Onward Eugene and brings a blend of economic development strategy, public-sector experience, and creative leadership to his work building a stronger Eugene-Springfield region. His career has taken him from the Kennedy Center and Eugene Symphony to the City of Portland Mayor’s Office and regional economic development, giving him a perspective that connects business, government, culture, and quality of life. At Onward Eugene, Ness works to create the conditions for businesses and people to thrive, with a particular interest in the bigger question behind economic development: What is the economy for, and what kind of place do we want to build together? A musician. A partner. A dad. A believer in the possibility of this place.

Colby Phillips is a Eugene-based hospitality operator and owner of PublicHouse in Springfield and Beergarden in Eugene, two community gathering spaces built around rotating food vendors, craft beer, and a distinctly local atmosphere. Born and raised in Lane County, he comes from a family with deep local roots and has a strong personal connection to the region's outdoor lifestyle, including running and hiking on trails around town, the Cascades, and the coast. Colby's work centers on creating gathering spaces that reflect the character of the area. He focuses on blending historic buildings with thoughtful design to build places that feel authentic, comfortable, and distinctly local. His goal is to create environments where residents naturally bring friends, family, and colleagues, while also giving visitors a genuine sense of the unique local culture. In addition to his business work, Colby has served on the board of Travel Lane County, the Springfield Area Chamber of Commerce, its Leaders Advisory Committee, and the City of Springfield's SEDA Budget Committee. He also volunteers as an official at Hayward Field track meets. These experiences have given him a strong, practical understanding of economic development and public-private partnerships at the local level. Colby is interested in expanding his current concepts and developing new ones that better serve both residents and visitors. He remains focused on building authentic, locally grounded gathering spaces that strengthen the character of Lane County's communities.

Angela Ocaña is the Director of the Eugene Public Library and a library professional with more than thirty years of experience shaping welcoming, community‑centered spaces. She is known for creating environments where youth, especially teens, can thrive, learn, and feel a strong sense of belonging. Her work champions access for all ages and reinforces the library’s role as one of the few truly free third places in the community. Before leading the library, Angela spent over a decade managing Starbucks locations, where she honed her expertise in placemaking, customer-centered design, and building “third places” that foster connection. She brings that understanding into the public library world, expanding the café concept into a civic one, transforming libraries into vibrant, inclusive hubs for social connection and curiosity. Angela’s leadership reflects a deep commitment to strengthening neighborhoods through inviting, flexible spaces that support youth, expand access, and keep libraries at the heart of community life.

Dr. Joe started his career in academic medicine treating adults and kids in Internal Medicine and Pediatrics. Then he transitioned to a private practice model. Wherever he worked, he noticed a troubling pattern in both his patients and his coworkers: people didn't feel well, they weren't technically sick, and they were burning out at work. He realized that helping people feel better was going to take a different approach. After 20 years of practicing traditional medicine, he got certified as a Lifestyle Medicine physician, a wellcoach©, and a Strengths-Based Workplace Consultant with the VIA Institute on Character. Now he blends his experience as an executive level physician with his Leadership coaching to help professionals build lives of purpose and meaning. He's here to share with you how it is possible to pivot into a career you love while being true to yourself.

Jon Ambrose is the Director for Employer and Alumni Engagement at the University of Oregon's Career Center, where he works at the intersection of careers, education, and connection. He is passionate about helping people build relationships that open doors, create opportunities, and support them throughout their careers. Before joining the University of Oregon just over four years ago, Jon worked across higher education, software, and financial services. He holds a Bachelor of Communications Studies from Utah State University and an MBA from the Jon M. Huntsman School of Business. Originally from the Midwest, Jon has loved making the Pacific Northwest home. Outside of work, he and his wife enjoy camping, trail running, and backpacking with their Australian Shepherds.