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.
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.
2026 SPYP Executive Board Members
Steven Nicholas
Chair
Shumaker, Loop & Kendrick LLP
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 searching for the best iced coffee in St. Pete. 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 serve as Chair and work hard to create positive change in a community he has grown to love so much.
Amanda Martín
Vice Chair
CBIZ
Amanda is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and a Senior Consultant at CBIZ. In her professional role, she leverages her expertise to deliver comprehensive financial and advisory services to clients.
After earning her Master’s Degree at Northeastern University in Boston, Amanda relocated to Florida to pursue her career in a warmer climate.
Outside of work, Amanda is an avid reader, painter, and cook, always seeking new recipes and artistic inspiration. You may catch sight of her around town as she enjoys staying active through various sports, particularly running.
Amanda, who formerly served as the 2025 Connect Co-Chair, is now the Vice Chair and is committed to fostering community engagement, creating value for our members, and supporting local businesses.
Elisabeth Moore
Marketing Chair
City of St. Petersburg
Elisabeth is thrilled to serve as the Connect Co – Chair in 2025! Professionally, Elisabeth is a Legislative Aide with the City of St. Petersburg. In addition, she works as the Social Media Manager for the Italian Language Foundation, a national organization dedicated to promoting Italian language education.
Originally from Philadelphia, Elisabeth moved to St. Pete to be close to her nephews after graduating from Yale University with a dual degree in Spanish and Political Science.
A big fan of the city’s vibrant outdoor lifestyle, Elisabeth can often be found working out with friends at CrossFit9, biking on the Pinellas Trail, running along Beach Drive, or relaxing in her hammock at Vinoy Park. She’s also a proud Eagles fan—Go Birds!
Elisabeth is overjoyed to call St. Pete home and looks forward to finding community with SPYP.
David Thompson
Membership Chair
City of St. Petersburg
David Thompson is an experienced civic professional with extensive experience in government affairs, policy advocacy, and community engagement, serving as the Director of Government Affairs for the City of St. Petersburg. Prior to joining the city, David worked in the US House of Representatives as a Legislative Staffer for multiple members of Congress, managing a wide ranging policy portfolio and serving as intern coordinator.
David completed his Master’s of Public Administration at Florida State University and his Bachelor’s Degree at the University of South Florida St. Petersburg where served as Student Body President and as a member of the Campus Board.
Raised in Ocala, Florida, David moved to St. Petersburg in 2015 to attend the University of South Florida St. Petersburg, where he completed his Bachelor’s Degree and served as Student Body President and as a member of the Campus Board. He subsequently completed his Master’s of Public Administration at Florida State University.
First joining the St. Pete Young Professionals in 2023, David is honored to serve as this year’s Membership Chair.
Emil Martín
Sports & Social Chair
Trident Transport
Emil is a Swedish native who moved to Florida after getting married in October 2024. He works as a freight broker for Trident Transport, and connects shippers with carriers to ensure their freight gets delivered safely in a timely manner. In his professional role, he has a strong focus on customer relationships, carrier networking, and business development. Emil will be serving as your Sports Chair for 2026.
Throughout his life, Emil has always had a great interest in sports with soccer and long-distance running at the top of the list. While pursuing his bachelor’s degree in Marketing from University of Montevallo, he played Division II soccer as a central midfielder.
In his free time, you can find him playing for South Tampa FC as well as pursuing marathon training.
As this year’s Sports Chair, he looks forward to get more people in St. Pete connected through physical activities, thrilling watch parties and attending live games.
August Erickson
Connect Co-Chair
Miles Partnership
August is originally from northern Virginia but moved to Florida in 2022. He earned his BBA from James Madison University in 2017, and is currently the Director of Development Services at Miles Partnership.
August joined SPYP in 2025 and is thrilled to serve as Connect Co-Chair in 2026. He's excited to continue to build roots in his forever home of St. Pete.
When August is not traveling for work, he enjoys local craft breweries, subpar cover bands, and the great outdoors.
Justin Bell
Connect Co-Chair
Real Estate & Textbook Research
Former teacher who escaped the classroom and somehow ended up in real estate and textbook research. I explain things for a living in different fonts now. Big fan of board games especially the ones that ruin friendships for 45 minutes and then bring everyone back together. Strategic. Curious. Slightly competitive. Mostly here for the fun.
Kaleigh Hicks
Community Service Chair
Keybridge Wealth Management
Meet Kaleigh Hicks, a passionate financial advisor who made the sunny city of St. Petersburg her home in 2021, leaving behind her roots in Alabama. Kaleigh works at Keybridge Wealth Management, where she creates personalized financial plans for individuals, families, and business owners to help them achieve their financial goals.
With a B.S. in finance from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and her Accredited Asset Management Specialist designation, Kaleigh brings a wealth of knowledge and a personal dedication to her field.
As the 2026 Community Service Chair for the St. Pete Young Professionals, she’s not just about numbers—she’s about making a difference.
Outside of her professional life, Kaleigh enjoys kayaking around Weedon Island, getting lost in a good book from Book + Bottle, attending stand-up comedy shows at Coastal Creative, and relaxing at her secret spot on St. Pete Beach.
Inspired by the belief that "the best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others," Kaleigh is excited to immerse herself in the volunteer community and make 2025 a year of impactful service for the residents of St. Pete.
Will Shedden
Advocacy Chair
Legislative Aide
Will is a proud St. Pete native and graduate of Lakewood High School. This is his first time working with the St. Pete Young Professionals - he’s excited to help the SPYP membership work towards creating a more livable and affordable St. Pete.
Working with State Representative Lindsay Cross as a legislative aide and campaign manager, he’s focused on environmental policy and planning a future career switch into conservation full time.
Outside of work, Will enjoys paddling the water and photographing the birds of Florida, along with playing ultimate frisbee and watching the Rays, Bucs and Bolts.
SPYP Sponsors
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.