Opportunity for career advancement is the most important factor local young professionals consider in choosing a place to move to and stay, according to a survey of more than 300 Wichita YPs in 2015. Young Professionals of Wichita (YPW) launched a Group Mentoring Program in Fall 2016 to address two factors – providing connection to key leaders who can be professional mentors and strengthening YPs’ professional connections with a small group of like-minded individuals. This program also provides young professionals face time with some of Wichita’s key leaders, giving them the opportunity to learn from them firsthand.
Thank you to presenting sponsor
Why Participate as a YP?
Who Are We Looking For?
We’re looking for individuals who reflect the below characteristics:
What Is My Commitment?
Seven 1.5-hour meetings between September and May each year (A program kickoff event in September, four mentoring sessions, a mid-program check-in in January, and a program closing event in May)
What Does the Group Look Like?
What Will We Talk About?
All sessions will have a recommended agenda to follow, used at the group’s discretion
When Will We Meet?
Mentors for 2018-2019 include:
Tammy Allen, Foulston Siekin LLP | Chief Marketing Officer
AJ Boleski, INTRUST Bank Arena | General Manager
Junetta Everett, Delta Dental of Kansas | Vice President, Professional Relations
Gloria Farha Flentje, Spirit Aerosystems (retired) | Senior VP & General Counsel
Ben Hutton, Hutton Construction | President
Wendy Johnson, Wichita Public Schools | Division Director, Marketing and Communications
Chris Kibler, INTRUST Bank Arena | Assistant General Manager/Director of Finance
Gary Plummer, Wichita Regional Chamber of Commerce | President & CEO
Scott Redler, Freddy’s Frozen Custard | Co-Founder & COO
Don Sherman, Westar Energy | VP, Community Relations & Strategic Partnerships
Jeff Turner, Turner-Nichols Group | Partner
Carol Urban-Deal, Fidelity Bank | Executive Vice President, Compliance Director
Sheree Utash, WSU Tech | President
Evan Wilson, Meritrust Credit Union | Vice President of Sales and Member Service
Have more questions? Please contact Ulises Gonzalez via email or 316.268.1137.
To see more photos from the kick-off event and closing reception, check out our Facebook page. You will also find video testimonials from 2016-2017 participants posted there.
If I apply, will I get into the program?
There are a limited number of spots in the program and we expect more applicants than available spots, so not everyone who applies will be able to participate. The 2017-2018 program will have 42 spots available for YPs.
If I’ve previously participated, can I apply again?
Yes, all applicants will be considered equally based on the current application pool. A new application must be completed each year.
What are the selection criteria for applicants?
The planning committee and YPW staff leadership will select applicants based on the following criteria (not in order of importance):
Can I pick my mentor?
You will be able to indicate your top two mentor preferences; however, the groups will be decided by the planning committee and YPW staff leadership based on additional considerations, including time of day preferences.
There is a mentor I do not want to be in a group with. Can I put in that request?
Yes, if you do not feel comfortable being in a group with a specific mentor for whatever reason, we will try our best to accommodate your request.
Where will we meet?
Each group can decide upon their own meeting space. Potential meeting spaces might be a restaurant, an office or another meeting space (City Arts, the Chamber, etc.)
What is the cost?
The fee is $50 and must be paid in full once accepted into the program. If selected for the program and not already a YPW member, we will also add in the cost of a one-year membership.
What does the program fee cover?
The program fee covers the total cost of participation, including the kickoff and closing events, and administrative costs.
Same mission. New name. Young Professionals of Wichita (YPW) is now W. Join us as we move forward into our next chapter of building tomorrow’s leaders today.
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