Heba Mahmoud

Director of Chapter Engagement, Association of Fundraising Professionals, Arlington, Virginia

Use your position to empower young professionals by providing actionable support. It’s wonderful to hear your CEO say, “Great idea. Let’s do it!” But how will you help me implement it? Take the time to talk through the idea with me and provide insight on how to achieve it. If you see that a project requires additional resources, as CEO you can make the investment. Assign me a mentor from your network who can help bring the idea to fruition. Taking the time to empower your employees will create an organizational culture where the team feels truly valued and supported.

Kevin Monteiro

Director, Government Affairs Massachusetts Dental Society Southborough, Massachusetts

Young professionals tend to have a lot of energy and a high level of dedication to success. Staff in this stage of their career might want to experiment and experience different roles in the organization to better understand where they want to be in five, 10, or 20 years. Capture this energy by giving young staff members opportunities that go beyond their specific day-to-day responsibilities. Pairing young employees with senior staff or volunteer leaders is a great way to expose young professionals to important management projects like strategic planning or governance review.

Bailey McMurray

Membership and Affiliate Relations Specialist Orthopaedic Research Society Rosemont, Illinois

Our journey learning to navigate the association space as YPs has been molded by unique challenges and celebratory experiences. In times of challenge, we often try to come off to others that we are in control and can handle the situation. Remind us that asking for help with a task, skill, or something we may not know the answer to will not reflect poorly on us or show a lack of leadership. Instead, use it as an opportunity to collaborate with us and teach us new things.

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