Our Team

Jordan M. Thompson

President

Jordan received his Juris Doctorate from Samford University’s Cumberland School of Law and his Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Alabama. In addition to working in wealth management, being an Infantry Officer in the Army National Guard, and operating a military- focused non-profit, Teams For Troops; Jordan is an advocate for veterans, athletes, civic involvement, and public unification. Through those outlets, as well as via legal and financial avenues, he utilizes leadership tools and peer-engagement to better individuals’ lives within community networks on local and national levels. Once presiding as the Vice President of YPBirmingham, in 2017, Jordan moved back to his home town of Atlanta to create YP of ATL. He is currently President.

Joanie Carpenter

Vice President of Membership

Joanie Carpenter is a Talent Acquisition Consultant for the Honeywell Connected Enterprise. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from Ohio University in Exercise Physiology while competing on a NCAA Division I Swimming Scholarship. She returned to her beloved home state of Alabama where she worked in Birmingham for 10 years before moving to her most recent venture in Atlanta, GA 2017. Joanie is currently acting as the elected Vice President for YPofATL. She spends her free time reading her favorite book, Alice in Wonderland, rooting for her Atlanta Falcons, and spending time with her fur-baby, Arya.

Christian Hughes

New Board Member!

Welcome our newest Board Member, Christian Hughes! (bio coming soon!)

Kristel Rodriguez Peacock

Co-Branding Chair

Kristel Rodriguez Peacock is a marketing/management professional and recent Atlanta transplant. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from William Carey University in Mississippi, speaks multiple languages, and lived/worked in China. She was formerly on the Board for the Young Professionals of Traverse City, MI and highly involved in a multitude of volunteer organizations. Kristel is passionate about ensuring new members feel welcomed to YP and the community at large. In her free time, Kristel enjoys traveling, painting, watching movies, dancing, and exploring ATL.

Chucky Kahng

Co-Photography

Chucky Kahng is a business operation professional by day and owns and manages a nightlife and entertainment content and marketing company by night.  His complete background includes Material Science from Cornell University, Industrial & Systems Engineering from Georgia Institute of Technology, variety of business and marketing certifications, and numerous years of photography awards while pursuing photography business in Atlanta.  Currently, he is the Director of Operations at Global Diagnostic Laboratories, a high complexity CLIA certified clinical laboratory company in Georgia with business spanning throughout most of the Southeast, and also overseas territories such as Puerto Rico. He currently oversees all business operations of the company including HR, business development, supply chain, acquisitions, marketing & public relations, and high-profile negotiations, and is a proxy to the CEO as needed. During evening and weekend times, he focuses on his media team, “Chuckyfoto & Media,” to service numerous popular venues and clientele throughout the Atlanta area.  His team’s approach and reputation has established the business as a permanent fixture in the nightlife and entertainment landscape.  During his free time, he enjoys a relaxing dinner with friends, casual photography, and doing volunteer work. 

Meredith Pippin

Events/Socials

Meredith Pippin is a practice development & marketing professional at The Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center where she has worked for the past 7 years. She received her Bachelor’s Degree from East Tennessee State University. Meredith is a transplant from Tennessee and has been loving the ATL life for the past 3.5 years. She enjoys working out, traveling, and the great outdoors. As a Tennessean, she loves her country music and her Tennessee Vols, sorry Dawgs! She joined YPofATL the second she moved to Atlanta wanting to be be involved, make connections, learn more about her new city, grow her network and is now proud to an active board member for YP.

Patrick Thompson

Social Co-Chair

Patrick Thompson (aka) DJ Pat was born in a small town an hour west of Atlanta. In his early years growing up, he loved getting to know new people. He really enjoys interacting and connecting with people through different and unique experiences. Line dancing is one of his most coveted skills. Patrick has been an Event Host, DJ/Live Entertainer since he was 15 years old. He left college early to pursue his dream of being a member of State Law enforcement, and he started his career early with great success. Patrick also owns a successful entertainment company that is now based here in Atlanta, GA.

James Yacup

Assistant Treasurer

James Yacup is a hard working highly persistent individual that is motivated to do a great job from the West Georgia area. He graduated from The University of Alabama in 2014 with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and decided to pursue a Master’s Degree at the University of West Georgia in Criminology. While working towards his master’s degree he was offered a job working for the state of Georgia as a State Officer. This is where he obtained his interest in commercial motor vehicles and the safety involved with managing companies. James looks forward to serving as an assistant treasurer for YPofATL because he is very conscientious with money and has been consulted on how to cut frivolous spending. James enjoys dollar beers on Thursday night trivia with the crew, hitting the links for some mulligan golf, and wetting a line. He also has been known to cheer on the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Atlanta Falcons. 

Rusal Kharel

Philanthropy Chair

Meet Rusal, a dedicated Recruiter at Accountants One. Originally from Kathmandu, Nepal, Rusal has found his new home in Duluth, GA.

With a genuine passion for forging meaningful connections, Rusal is committed to making a positive impact on the lives of clients and candidates alike. Each day, he wholeheartedly embraces his work, driven by his sincere desire to create meaningful change.

Beyond his professional pursuits, Rusal finds comfort and joy in the great outdoors. Exploring the wonders of nature through activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and camping fuels his adventurous spirit, revitalizing his sense of discovery. Moreover, Rusal holds a profound affection for wildlife, further highlighting his appreciation for the natural world.

Brandon Coleman

Photography Co-Chair

Pradnya Landge

Website

I am a senior software engineer currently working at a law firm. Being a software engineer, I am always on the lookout to find new ways to integrate technology to create a better functioning world from – sustainably designing paper to implementing VR-enabled learning in communities.Personally, I am someone who likes a good challenge so, for me, running a 5K and eventually qualifying for the Boston Marathon is my big goal. Additionally, learning new languages, the culture, and history have allowed me to learn Greek, Greek mythology, and Greek philosophy. Lastly, not all engineers get to say they are ambidextrous. For me, that means, enhancing my passion for the liberal arts. I plan to take a liberal arts program offered by Stanford that focuses on Shakespeare and his plays.