Melissa Gifford joins YPWC Steering Committee

Wabash County, IN – The Young Professionals of Wabash County (YPWC) is thrilled to be welcoming Melissa Gifford to the YPWC Steering Committee.

“Melissa brings a unique blend of professional expertise, creativity, and deep local roots that will be a tremendous asset to our team,” Jana Thibos, chair of the YPWC steering committee said. “Her passion for empowering young professionals and giving back to the Wabash County community aligns perfectly with the mission of YPWC. We look forward to the impact she will make as we continue building a strong, connected network of emerging leaders.”

Born and raised in Wabash County, Melissa graduated from Southwood in 2008 before earning her degree from Indiana University in 2013. After spending 12 years building a life and career in Tampa, she returned home in 2024, ready to rebuild her roots and invest in the community that shaped her.

Professionally, Melissa brings over 13 years of marketing expertise to the table, helping B2B brands grow through strategic content, clear messaging, and impactful go-to-market execution. Her career has spanned industries like cloud technology, cybersecurity, manufacturing, and professional services... always focused on aligning product, marketing, and sales teams to drive real business results.

Now, she’s channeling that experience back into Wabash County, with a passion for supporting the next generation of professionals and helping unlock the full potential of the local community.

The YPWC network has existed in various forms in Wabash County for years. The current generation of YPWC was launched in 2018 by Grow Wabash County, with the goal of creating opportunities for young professionals in the community to better network not only with each other but with the organizations and companies that stand to benefit from being connected to an engaged group of young leaders.  

YPWC remains free for young professionals to join and begin networking with their fellow peers and emerging leaders. Those interested in being part of the network can do so by connecting with YPWC via email at yp@growwabashcounty.com or by RSVPing and/or attending any of the various social, educational and/or service events that YPWC hosts throughout the year.  

Up to date information about upcoming events and opportunities can be found on the YP of Wabash County Facebook/Instagram page as well as the YP mailing list.