August 18 - South Placer's Unite, Metro EDGE, Nehemiah Emerging Leader, and Urban Land Institute's Young Leaders Group held their first-evern Young Professionals Summit at Drexel University - with over 190 attendees, the event was over-subscribed and a great success!
The evening began with cocktails and dinner in Drexel's reception area
The emerging leaders crowded into three of Drexel's state-of-the-art classrooms - the two others shown on the high-definition television screen at rear, and on the SmartBoard in the front.
Highlighting the imprtance of public service, the event was also a benefit for Big Brothers Big Sisters - and the evening began with a presentation from its President and CEO Rhonda Staley-Brooks - a graduate of Nehemiah Emerging Leaders Program and a member of both Ignite and EDGE
Thefirst question was asked by Alexis Fitzpatrick, 2010 Chair Elect of Metro EDGE (with the two other classrooms, connect in real time, shown behind them). The panel was presitigious: Kathie Sowa, Northern California President of the Bank of America; Bay Miry, Executive with D&S Development; and the Honorable Kevin Johnson, Mayor, City of Sacramento.
Having moved to the second classroom, the panel responds to the second question...
... and are watched by the second classroom. . .
... and the third, where at least two young professionals are ready to ask follow-up questions
Ignite President (and Summit organizer) Brian Whitmore and Nehemiah alumnus Jose Bodipo-Memba enjoy a comment made by Bay Miry about the Mayor's "youthful" enthusiasm and energy.
A closeup of how the two other classrooms appear on the SmartBoard (behind the speakers' heads).
At 7:15, after 90 minutes of engaging discussion, the Young Professionals ended the evening by connecting with members of organizations other than their own, and starting to form the networks that will be key to the region's future.
