YPN Spotlight: Patrick Lippert
Our latest YPN spotlight features Patrick, who has been part of MHI’s Young Professionals Network (YPN) since 2021. When he first joined, YPN was a small group of just 10–12 members, but he quickly saw the potential for growth and impact. Now, with a thriving community of young professionals, Patrick continues to contribute to meaningful discussions and help shape the group’s direction.
His journey with YPN started unexpectedly—he attended an MHI Annual Conference where he was invited to join a coffee chat, and the rest is history. “It wasn’t until after I joined a few meetings that I realized this group has potential, and I can provide input and help steer the ship,” he shares. Now, after four years of involvement, Patrick values the balance of learning from others and sharing his own experiences with new members.
YPN provides young professionals in the material handling industry with a space to connect, grow, and support one another. Through coffee chats, book clubs, in-person events, webinars, and mentorship programs, members gain valuable industry insights while expanding their professional networks. As the group continues to grow, Patrick sees opportunities to keep engagement strong and ensure every voice is heard.
YPN Spotlight Q&A
Patrick Lippert, a Director of Supply Chain Hamilton Caster Mfg. & Co.
How long have you been a part of YPN?
I think since 2021. It was a very small group of maybe 10-12 people.
What motivated you to get involved in YPN?
To be honest, I wasn’t motivated. I think I attended an MHI annual conference out in Phoenix, AZ and Mary Alyson Ammons was the YPN leader at the time. She asked me if I would be interested in joining. I signed up for my first coffee chat and I’ve been attending them since. It wasn’t until after I joined a few meetings that I realized this group has potential and I can provide input and help steer the ship.
What advice would you give to someone who is interested in getting involved in YPN?
Everyone is in the same boat. We’re all trying to learn and get better as people and professionals, but we’re also trying to help each other. I’ve been in YPN for 4 years now and there are new people who I can learn from. And there are people who I can help out. There are coffee chats where I won’t say anything, I just want to listen and learn. And then there will be coffee chats that I want to provide a lot of input. It’s a very welcoming group.
What is special about the material handling industry that gets you excited about your future career?
We’re always going to be moving things and transporting material to improve our companies and help our customers. I get excited knowing that we can continue to help achieve success and innovation.
What challenges has YPN faced? How could YPN improve your experience in the future?
I think YPN is faced with a good problem of size. When I joined YPN, we had maybe 10-12 people on coffee chats. And it was good discussion, but with only a few people, there would be some quiet spots where people didn’t want to speak. Now we’re at a point where we have 30-40 on a call and the ice breaker at the beginning takes up half the call. I think there could be some opportunity there to cater to sizes. I don’t know if it’s breaking into smaller groups or something like that, but the bigger we grow (a good thing), we’ll have to find a way to include everyone and keep them coming back.
What professional or community accomplishments would you like to highlight?
I think the mentorship program that we’ve put together is a huge accomplishment. Chelsea has done a great job leading the effort and our committee has provided great ideas. I’m looking forward to the success of this program.
Interested in joining YPN? Connect with Chelsea Liston or visit the YPN website to learn more and take part in the conversations that are shaping the future of the material handling industry!
