Envision Greater Fond du Lac
October 5, 2026
Nominations Now Open for the 2026 YPF Future 5 Awards
Community encouraged to recognize Fond du Lac County’s rising young leaders by October 30
FOND DU LAC COUNTY — Young Professionals of Fond du Lac (YPF), a program of Envision Greater Fond du Lac, is now accepting nominations for the 2026 Future 5 Awards. Nominations are open now through Friday, October 30, 2026, and community members are encouraged to submit their nominations before the deadline.
YPF established the Future 5 Award in 2013 to support and recognize upcoming leaders in the community. This award is presented to five area young professionals aged 21-40 who are presently growing and excelling in their respective fields and will continue to positively influence the growth, prosperity, and quality of life in Fond du Lac County well into the future.
Fond du Lac County is home to a growing number of young professionals who are leading workplaces, volunteering in their neighborhoods, and stepping into roles that shape the future of the community. The Future 5 Awards shine a spotlight on these individuals, celebrating their accomplishments and showing others the impact young leaders are making locally. Recognizing this talent also helps the greater Fond du Lac area attract and retain the next generation of leaders, which is key to Envision Greater Fond du Lac’s Mission.
“Our young professionals are already making a difference across Fond du Lac County, often without asking for recognition,” said Netalya Challoner, Program Coordinator at Envision Greater Fond du Lac. “A nomination is a simple way to say thank you and to make sure their leadership is seen. We encourage employers, coworkers, friends, and community members to take a few minutes to nominate someone who inspires them.”
To be eligible, nominees must:
• Live and/or work in Fond du Lac County
• Be between 21 and 40 years old as of October 30, 2026
• Be nominated by a professional or volunteer reference
• Be growing and excelling in their field, with plans to keep positively influencing the Fond du Lac community
• Not have received a Future 5 Award in the past three years
Candidates must be nominated by someone they have worked, volunteered, or served with. Nominators can submit the completed nomination form to Envision by Friday, October 30, 2026. Nominees will then be asked to complete a questionnaire by the deadline provided. A panel of independent judges will review and score the questionnaires based on the award’s mission. YPF membership is not required, but it may be considered during judging.
In 2025, a total of 33 nominees were considered for the award, representing 30 different companies within the greater Fond du Lac area. YPF hopes to continue that momentum and showcase an even wider range of local young leaders this year.
2025 Future 5 Award Recipients included Craig Much, Vice President of Business Banking, Horicon Bank; Alicia Hans, Owner/Clinical Supervisor, Alicia Hans LCSW LLC; Maggie Ford, Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admission, Marian University; Zoelle Rienke, Owner/Chiropractor, New Directions Chiropractic; Steve Diehl, Business Banking Officer, Bank First.
The 2026 Future 5 recipients will be revealed at the YPF Holiday Party on Wednesday, December 9, 2026, from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Fond du Lac Beer Company, 21 4th Street Ct., Fond du Lac. Admission is $20 for YPF members and Future 5 nominees and $30 for general admission. Space is limited, so early registration is encouraged. Register for the YPF Holiday Party here.
The 2026 Future 5 recipients and nominees will then be honored at the Future 5 Awards on Thursday, January 21, 2027. Additional event details will be shared at a later date.
To learn more about Young Professionals of Fond du Lac (YPF), please visit envisiongreaterfdl.com/ypf/. To learn more about Envision Greater Fond du Lac, please visit envisiongreaterfdl.com.
About Envision
Envision is the combined Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Office serving all of Fond du Lac County. Through collaboration and steadfast optimism, Envision strives to bring stakeholders together to improve the economic vibrancy of the communities they serve. With the goal of being the regional leader and convener of economic opportunities, Envision believes in challenging the status quo to help shape the future.
