Guest Commentator: Jessica McPherrin Sheridan Chief Operating Officer, Delta Phi Epsilon International Headquarters @DPhiEIHQ

When I moved to Philadelphia seven years ago, I recall typing “young professionals in Philadelphia” into a quick Google search. The first result led me to the Young Professionals Council (YPC) of the Chamber of Commerce for Greater Philadelphia. It sounded exactly like what I was looking for: an opportunity to connect with career driven young professionals in my new city.

Years later, I am beginning my term as the Chair of the YPC Advisory Board, looking to connect those who are new to the city to those who have been here for years as well as develop opportunities to grow the business community following a challenging time in our city’s history. I know this will be no easy task, but I welcome the challenge because I know now, more than ever, people are looking for connection – a sense of community – that many may have lost over the past year and a half. YPC provides the opportunity for connection now as it did for me when I moved here in 2014.

I recently spoke with a member of YPC who moved to Philadelphia in March of 2020 in the midst of the pandemic. I imagined myself in their situation: moving to a city with very little community connection, starting a new job, and without the ability to get out and explore all of what Philadelphia has to offer a young professional. I give them so much credit for sticking it out and committing to making Philadelphia their home, despite the circumstances.

The conversation got me thinking about how critical it is that YPC exists and how what we offer not only impacts individuals, but the entire Philadelphia business community. YPC offers networking, learning and development, mentorship, and civic engagement opportunities that help shape community leaders. Young professionals are making an impact within their companies by allowing leaders to rethink, reimagine, and reconsider how they operate, what they value, and what direction they should face as we move into a different time. I believe that young professionals will help to drive the Philadelphia community into a new way of thinking, working, and doing business.

As YPC looks to emerge from the pandemic, providing safe opportunities to network and learn with colleagues and peers, we know that the future will look differently than the past. As the world is evolving, so is YPC. We hope you will join us in this evolution to create a stronger, more vibrant Philadelphia business community.

This fall we are scheduled to host multiple in-person networking events, including an event at Craft Hall tonight and followed by one at City Winery on Thursday, October 21, 2021. Additionally, Visit Philadelphia’s President and CEO, Jeff Guaracino, will join us on Wednesday, October 6, 2021 for YPC Meet the C-Suite to talk about the efforts to reinvigorate travel and tourism in Philadelphia. Later this year, we will focus on civic engagement through our Connect for Community Impact event, providing an opportunity for young Philadelphians to get involved with local non-profits in the region.

Whether you are new to Philadelphia or have lived here for many years, I look forward to welcoming you to our growing and thriving young professional’s community!

Jessica McPherrin Sheridan is the Chair of the YPC Advisory Board, a non-governing body that helps set overall strategic direction, generate resources, and champion the YPC mission in the community.

YPC connects ambitious, visionary young people with a strong, diverse community of peers, mentors, and regional business and civic leaders. Through consistent programming, leadership, and service opportunities, our members ultimately become more experienced, community-oriented, and connected.