Jon Leonard, Treasurer
Jon Leonard works at Capital Financial Group as a comprehensive financial planner. After graduating from the University of Tennessee with a degree in Chemical Engineering, he continued his education at the Graduate School of Banking at LSU. Jon and his wife, Lauren, recently welcomed their first son, Liam, in December 2018. Jon attends Cokesbury United Methodist Church where he serves as a member of the finance committee. He also serves as a board member of Girls Inc. In his free time, he and his wife, Lauren, enjoy traveling, cheering on the Vols and trying out new foods with friends and family.
What is your favorite quote and why?
So I’m going to cheat a little and give the poem My Wage by Jessie Rittenhouse as my answer. This is one of my favorites because of its message that no dream or goal is too big for anyone to accomplish. They simply must set their sights toward achieving it and never let up.
What do you think Young Professionals of Knoxville contributes to our community?
I think YPK gives young professionals a platform to develop on a professional and personal level unlike no other organization in town. On a professional level, this group has helped build my career through its great networking and social events. I’ve also been able to expand my knowledge and understanding of Knoxville by meeting some of its biggest leaders in the community. Personally, I’ve made a lot of friendships that would never have happened if it wasn’t for YPK. It really is amazing how my base of close friends has expanded since joining YPK compared to previous six years living in Knoxville.
What has been your favorite experience with YPK?
We’ve had so many fun events and opportunities since I’ve been a part of YPK but serving on the board, these past two years, has been a blast. The people I have had the opportunity to work with have put YPK in a position to being the “Go-To” organization for people under 40. It’s truly exciting to think about what’s next for this group.
Erin Rosolina, Secretary
Originally hailing from Bat Cave, North Carolina, Erin Rosolina majored in Sustainable Community Development at Berea College in Kentucky, was selected as a Compton Mentor Fellow for her work in Big Ugly, West Virginia in 2011, and now works as a marketing professional with the College and University Professional Association for Human Resources. She serves at the chair of the board for the International Storytelling Center in Jonesborough and volunteers with Big Brothers Big Sisters' Mentor 2.0 program. She lives with her husband Sam, two cats and old dog. She can often be found rock climbing at her local gym or reading a book in her Fountain City home.
What do you love about Knoxville?
I love that Knoxville is the perfect size. There are so many shows, new restaurants, and fun events to keep me entertained, but it's also small enough that I see familiar faces almost any time I go downtown. As a young professional, there's plenty of opportunity to get involved and have conversations with (and become) the movers-and-shakers of Knoxville.
What is your favorite quote and why?
"Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping." - Mr. Rogers
There's a lot that is wrong with the world, but this quote and the truth behind it often pop into my head. I choose to be positive, and if I'm starting to feel overwhelmed, I try to find ways to help.
What has been your favorite experience with YPK?
I have had so, so, so many wonderful experiences in YPK and have developed many lasting friendships with my YPK peers, but one of my favorites was participating in the Leadership Certificate program. The class helped me evaluate and define my strengths, a lesson that I have regularly reflected on in the years since the course. It gave me a language for understanding myself and my relationships, both in professional and personal settings.