By Victoria Hurley-Schubert, Staff Writer
A young professionals group is launching within the Princeton Chamber of Commerce. Membership will focus on professionals ages 20 to 40 to help them become better citizens of the business community without compromising what makes them unique.
”What we are constructing is a network for early to middle-stage professionals in which they can build strong relationships with each other as well as establish long-term relationships within the community,” said Sandy Durst, partner at Lynch, Osborne, Theivakumar, Gilmore & Durst LLC and co-chair of the Princeton LeeeP Steering Committee.
”These folks have the ability to help people my age learn,” added Peter Crowley, president of the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce. “These guys are building an organization that will help them build their business networking opportunities and help the chamber members at large interact with young professionals.”
But, this is not your typical young professionals networking group, they are looking to having a meaningful impact.
”Some of the core values for Princeton LeeeP include service to community, leadership, innovation, and entrepreneurial stewardship,” stated Ronit Levy, principal at RHR International LLP and co-chair of the Princeton LeeeP Steering Committee. “We aim to create deliberate and specific connections between members. Our goal is to help members form the social and professional relationships that will be instrumental in their future growth and success. Additionally, we hope to partner with local businesses and become a resource in the development and engagement of their up and coming talent.”
The group created a model to integrate each of their values with the business community. Their core pillars are cultural/social, philanthropic and business development with an organizational philosophy of engage, exchange and excel.
”Each pillar will have programs designed around that,” said Mr. Crowley. “On the business development side, we’re putting in a board match program to help young professionals understand the requirements and responsibilities of board membership.”
To foster this development, LeeeP is working with the Princeton Regional Chamber of Commerce Foundation and VolunteerConnect to create and execute a non-profit board training program for select members.
Throughout the year, Princeton LeeeP will be offering a series of social, philanthropic, cultural and professional development events designed for the emerging workforce in the Princeton region.
”They tried to come up with a way to note what they’re doing and not make it the run-of-the-mill young professionals group,” added Mr. Crowley. “They’re trying to brand the name within the organization, LeeeP with the three e’s is leaping into professionalism.”
The group has been in the works for more than one year. “What this group wants to do is create a model organization that can run on it’s own,” said Mr. Crowley. “They want to create an organization for middle-stage professionals, who know what they’re doing and have an established history and make it an organization that is outreaching to the business community and not people who just have a drink and go.”
The group will launch with an event on Thursday from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Johnson Education Center at D&R Greenway Land Trust, Rosedale Road, Princeton.
Princeton LeeeP is supported by PNC Bank.
Members of the Princeton LeeeP Steering Committee include the aforementioned co-chairs, Ronit Levy and Sandy Durst, as well as: Kari Barrio, marketing officer, Hopewell Valley Community Bank; Fred Gomez, financial advisor, Wells Fargo Advisors; Walter Hedrick, president, Hedgecon Corp.; Megan Johnston, director of group services, McCarter Theatre Center; Scott Jurgens, director of marketing, Princeton University Athletics; David Sears, financial advisor, UBS Financial Services; and Pam Weiss, account manager, Verge180.
