L To R: Harrison Angelis of Take Root Strategy and Luke Powell of Gov. Hochul’s office
Young professionals from around the region packed Wolf & Warrior Brewing Co. for Nonprofit Westchester’s NextGen Affinity Group’ s first mixer.
The sold-out event at the White Plains brewpub on September 15 attracted more than 80 young civic and professional leaders. The group, launched in June, is designed to bring together young leaders from nonprofit, business, and government sectors.
“The energy was perfect, and it did not feel like a work event. It truly felt like a moment to just breathe and be around really good people who understand we’re all just trying to make it out here.’’ said Angel Gray of Westchester Children’s Association.
Among others attending the event were young professionals from Westchester County government, the offices of New York State Governor Kathy Hochul , U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer, and State Senator Shelley Mayer, as well as healthcare professionals, lawyers, social workers, bankers, and professionals across different sectors.
The mixer follows a roundtable at NPW offices in June where more than 40 young professionals met to explore how the group could help them, including providing mentoring opportunities and assistance with time management, public speaking, and interpersonal skills. Participants also identified affordable housing, cost-of-living, workforce development, economic opportunity, food insecurity, and mental health as issues they would like to see the group address as community impact projects.
“The incredible success of this event demonstrates that young professionals want a place where they can meet with peers from different sectors to share strategies for success,’’ said Amy Rivera, NPW Communications Director and the brainchild behind NextGen.
NextGen steering committee: Jack Martinelli, 914INC/Westchester Magazine (co-chair) ;Destiny Baker, YWCA of Yonkers; John DeAngelis, Hudson Valley Credit Union; Christine Fils-Aime, Office of NYS Senator Shelley Mayer; Emmanuel (Manny) Rawlings, Community Resource Center and Avery Zuvic, United Way of Westchester and Putnam.
To learn about upcoming NextGen programs, visit Nonprofit Westchester – Home