Leaders
YEP’s leaders are members who saw an opportunity to make a difference—stepping up to guide the organization while growing as leaders themselves.
To contact all the organization’s leaders, email Leadership@yeperie.org
Reach out to express your interest in becoming a leader!
Executive Board Members
Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer - Marcus A Jacobs
Marcus, a native of Pittsburgh’s Mt. Washington neighborhood, moved to Erie to attend Penn State Behrend, where he earned dual Bachelor of Science degrees in Business Economics and International Business, along with a Master’s in Project Management.
He currently serves as the Borough Manager of Wesleyville in Erie County and is eager to contribute to the YEP Board. Marcus is passionate about YEP’s mission of uniting and empowering young professionals in the Erie region, recognizing its positive impact on the local community.
In his free time, Marcus enjoys camping and hiking in the great outdoors.
President & Executive Director - Harland Ashby
Harland was born in West Springfield MA but spent most of his life in Houston TX. Harland graduated from Texas A&M in 2019 with a degree in Mechanical Engineering. Harland then joined Wabtec’s (GE Transportation) Operational Management Leadership Program which brought him to Erie in 2021. Harland is currently the Lead Additive Application Engineer at Wabtec. When he is not at work, Harland is keeping the hills safe as part of the Ski Patrol at Peak’n Peak. In the summer, Harland likes to hike, bike, swim, kayak, and scuba dive!
Treasurer & Chief Financial Officer - Matthew Elder
Matthew was born and raised in Erie, PA. He attended Clemson University in South Carolina graduating with a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Supply Chain Management with a minor in Economics. Matthew is currently the Postmaster at the Harborcreek Post Office. In his free time he enjoys cooking and exploring Erie with his dog, a black lab named Vanish.
Executive Secretary & Chief governance Officer
William Postema serves as Executive Secretary & Chief Governance Officer (ES & CGO) for Young Erie Professionals. In this role, he supports YEP’s Board of Directors and Executive Committee by maintaining bylaws, strengthening governance practices, and overseeing communication and documentation across all standing committees.
William joined YEP leadership in 2024 as Vice Chair of the Recreation & Wellness Committee before becoming Chair of the Social Committee. During his tenure, he expanded member programming, strengthened cross-committee collaboration, and developed onboarding and documentation systems to support future leaders.
Professionally, William works for Widget Financial as a Floating Personal Service Representative (PSR I), supporting member services and branch operations across the credit union. In this role, he provides guidance on financial products and assists members in navigating their day-to-day banking needs.
Previously, William worked in Apple’s Worldwide Sales organization, contributing to U.S. Channel Reseller initiatives and U.S. Education Sales & Operations. His work included collaborating with major retail partners, supporting digital sales programs, and contributing to strategic projects that advanced Apple’s education market presence.
Committee Board Members
Social Committee Chair - Haile Ferris
Open Leadership Opportunity
Growth & Success Committee Chair - Drake Karges
Drayke Karges is a dynamic professional serving as the Chair of the Growth and Success Committee at Young Erie Professionals, a position in which they are committed to fostering the professional development and success of young talents in the Erie community. Simultaneously, Drayke excels in their role as a District Sales Coordinator for Aflac Insurance, where they specialize in collaborating with business owners, offering expert advice and tailored insurance solutions. With a passion for networking and community engagement, Drayke has become a driving force behind numerous impactful initiatives, bridging connections between professionals and local businesses. Their dedication and leadership were recognized in 2022 when they received the prestigious Chamber Champion of the Year award from the Erie Regional Chamber and Growth Partnership. This accolade is a testament to Drayke’s unwavering commitment to the growth and prosperity of the Erie region.
Civic and Community Engagement Committee Co-Chair - Emerson Bannon Cutri
Emerson Description
Julia Guerrein, an Erie native, is an environmental attorney at MacDonald, Illig, Jones & Britton, LLP. She holds a B.S. in environmental science from Penn State Behrend, a J.D. from Vermont Law School, and an MPhil in environmental policy from the University of Cambridge. She is excited to facilitate volunteer efforts through her role as CCE co-chair. In her free time, Julia enjoys cooking and baking, crafting, being outside, doing yoga, climbing, and spending time with her family and friends.
Marketing Committee Chair - Hali Hartley
In her free time, you can find Hali crafting, attending concerts, spending time with family and friends, or relaxing at home with her boyfriend and their four cats, Heisenberg, Bowie, MJ, and Porkchop.
Membership Committee Chair - Chris Rosato Jr.
Born and raised in Southern California, Chris Rosato Jr. fell in love with Northwestern Pennsylvania during his time at Edinboro University and decided to make it his home. His educational and professional experience includes marketing, public relations, live events operations, sports broadcasting and public address announcing (catch him periodically on the mic at an Erie SeaWolves game!).
He is currently the General Manager of ASCEND Erie. When not on a wall, he can usually be found taking in a baseball game, playing board games with friends, or volunteering as a high school sports official. He lives with a 12-year-old Scottish Terrier named Murphy who loves to hike, kayak and go on climbing trips.
Strategic Roles
Head of Strategic & Corporate Partnerships - Mike Williams
A proud Erie native, Mike Williams has built his career at Widget Financial, where he began as an intern and now serves as the Vice President of Marketing. Throughout his journey, Mike has remained deeply committed to making a positive impact in the community he calls home.
His passion for service has led him to volunteer with organizations such as the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, Walk to End Alzheimer’s, L’Arche Erie, and the EHCA Gatsby Committee. Whether it’s through professional or volunteer work, Mike is dedicated to helping Erie thrive.
Outside the office, you’ll find Mike smoking meats, cheering on his son at baseball games, hitting the golf course, or enjoying the many events and experiences that make Erie such a special place to live.
Mike is excited to bring his passion for partnership and community building to his new role as YEP’s Head of Strategic & Corporate Partnerships. He looks forward to helping grow our impact, one connection at a time.
Intern
The YEP Internship Program provides students and emerging professionals with an immersive experience in nonprofit operations, event planning, governance, and community engagement. Interns are housed under one of YEPs standing committees and work directly with committee leadership to support real-time initiatives that benefit the Erie region. This internship not only offers the opportunity to learn how a nonprofit functions, but also gives interns hands-on experience with real-world event planning, committee operations, and governance processes. Interns actively contribute to the success of events, communications, and strategic projects while observing how a volunteer-run 501(c)(6) nonprofit is structured and sustained.