An established Nonprofit Professional and Award-Winning Community Leader, Cheresa "Reese" LaFrances Purnell has gained a reputation for building platforms that support the personal development of business, community, and corporate professionals. Through unconventional approaches to leadership development and aggressive creative strategies, Ms. Purnell continues to build a brand that is one of Chicago's premier organizations for young women leaders.

 

As the Founder/President of the Young Women Professionals League (YWPL), Reese has formally inducted 200 young women who are rising leaders in their industry into the organization at their annual 40 Under 40 Award Ceremony. YWPL’s mission is to build a network of young professional women who support the holistic development of future leaders through the conduits of leadership development, service, philanthropy, and sisterhood. Under her leadership, YWPL has served over 500 young women ages 18 -24 in FOUR IMPACT AREAS: workforce development, financial literacy, college retention and completion, and health/wellness.

 

So far her personal and professional endeavors have also been featured in RollingOut, ForHarriet.com, Jet, N’Digo and the Roland S. Martin Show. Connect with Reese LaFrances at www.reeselafrances.com.