“YPN5Q” is a weekly Q&A series spotlighting the state’s top young business and civic leaders and creative minds — professionals propelling change through entrepreneurship, the arts, public service, social media, and community involvement. This week, we hear from Lynette Dumalag, a corporate real estate associate specializing in market research, lease review and financial analysis.
A long-tme volunteer with TORCH Community — a social connector between the workforce and young professional nonprofit communities — Dumalag currently serves on its board as the Social Responsibility Chair.
Dumalag also serves on the leadership team of Aeon Connect, a group of young professionals in the Twin Cities committed to the vision that everyone have a home.
Aeon is a nonprofit developer, owner and manager of high-quality affordable apartment homes in the metro area, serving over 3,300 families and individuals annually. Connect supports Aeon’s work by organizing volunteer events, donation drives and educating young professionals about the overwhelming need for quality, affordable housing in the Twin Cities.
In March, Lynette joined Aeon’s board of directors.
Name: Lynette Dumalag
Age: 34.75
Residence: St. Louis Park
Current job title: Associate
Current employer: Nelson, Tietz & Hoye
1. In grade school, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to become a doctor. I have an aunt and an uncle who are both doctors and I recall practicing my signature to be illegible like theirs.
Now I work in commercial real estate. I still have bad handwriting.
2. What’s a new interest of yours or a new discovery you’ve made?
I just learned how to make puff pastry from scratch. That’s a lot of butter!
3. What are your favorite hobbies?
I love to cook. Luckily, my husband is a good gardener (I’m his helper).
Summer and fall is a fantastic time in the kitchen. Nothing beats a tomato just picked from the garden.
4. Which living person do you most admire?
I would have to say my grandmother. She was a progressive woman for her time.
Despite being female, she achieved a lot of “firsts” in our family: first to finish high school; first to go to college; part of the first graduating class of nurses in Zumboanga, in the southern Philippines.
As a young woman, she enlisted in the Philippine Army and was part of the resistance during the Japanese occupation of the Philippines during WWII. She worked as a nurse, focusing on women’s health.
These days, she has fun memorizing countries and their capitals and enjoys “schooling” her grown grandchildren when they don’t know the answer.
5. What do you listen to on the commute to work?
I listen to MPR News in the morning. I like having a quick synopsis of news that happened while I was asleep.
It is also serves as my secondary watch — “It’s 7:01 and the news is next…”
I will admit to changing the dial to 89.3 The Current during MPR member drives (I’m already a member).
To nominate a young professional for “YPN5Q,” email ypn@minnpost.com with the nominee’s full name, employer or contact info, and one or two brief sentences supporting your nomination.
Proud to say I know Lynette. She is “all that” and more! Delightful, bright and giving. A well-deserved spot-light article!