Southern Indiana Business Report
BEDFORD – Four young professionals who are contributing leaders in their organizations and communities were recognized by Bedford Young Professionals with the 4 under 40 awards.
Megan Martin, president of BYP, said the awards recognize exemplary contributions to the Lawrence County community through leadership in the community and workplace as well as future goals to impact the community.
Read on to learn about the four recipients.
Ashlynne Bender is the director of Business and Community Development for the city of Bedford. A graduate of the University of Southern Indiana, she is currently working on her master of public affairs at Indiana University and will graduate in December. In her role with the city, she has worked to bring nearly $2 million in grant funds for various projects in the community. Ashlynne leads public relations and community engagement initiatives in the city. She also serves on several boards including the Bedford Chamber of Commerce, Dementia Friendly Lawrence County, Domestic Violence Coalition of Lawrence County and the White River Military Coordination Alliance. She recently was honored as an Indiana Global Leader through the 2020 James T. Morris Global Leadership Series and just completed her participation in the Regional Opportunity Initiatives Grant Writing Fellowship.
Apryl Kidd is director of Collaboration of Shoals, Mitchell and Orleans Schools, an innovative program that provides students with the educational opportunities to prepare them for careers in manufacturing, education and healthcare after high school. In that role, she created Manufacturing Week for eighth-graders to explore manufacturing careers and Maker Camps for kids in grades 3-5 to experience using 3D printers, laser engravers, robots and more. She works with local employers to learn their needs and predict future changes so she can assist in preparing high school pathways that align with those needs. This coming school year, COSMOS will offer 11 shared courses between the schools. Apryl is a graduate of IU and holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Apryl was recently awarded the High School Career Development Professional of the Year at the 2023 IMPACT Awards.
Sadie Miskuf is the owner and managing broker at Sadie Miskuf Real Estate, closing on $3 million in residential sales in the first half of 2023. She is a member of Tri Kappa Gamma, where she implemented new fundraising techniques to support local scholarships and brought on 11 new pledges during her term as president. She is a member of the Bedford Revitalization Inc. board, the BRI parade and design committees and Limestone Heritage Festival planning committee. She is a member of the Bedford Rotary Club and Bedford Business to Business. She volunteers with Hope Resource Center, Bedford Clothe-A-Child, Orbit Futbol as a coach and sponsor, Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services and Indiana Special Olympics.
Emily Webb is assistant director for the Area Health Education Center (AHEC) at Hoosier Uplands where she has worked for the past seven years. She oversees the Employee Wellness Program, Hoosier Uplands Scholarship Program, and assists with the Produce for Better Health program. She is also coordinator of Lawrence County Safe Night, bringing together over 50 organizations in the community to provide a free, fun and educational event that attracts around 3,000 people each year. Emily serves on the United Way Committee in Lawrence County and is a member of the local Rotary Club. She also volunteers with the Salvation Army Angel Tree program.
BYP is a local group open to anyone 21-40 years old, who lives, works or does business in Lawrence County. BYP is focused on providing individuals an opportunity to network and grow as professionals within the community.