First ‘Mentor a MYPro’ sees over 46 attendees

The first Mentor a MYPro event took place on March 29 at the Joeten Kia showroom, with 46 participants, including 20 new members.

Catered by Everest Kitchen, with beverages provided by Joeten and Saipan Brewery, mentors and MYPro members snacked on some healthy dishes, sipped craft beer and chatted about careers, success stories and challenges of the professional world.

“We had a great turnout, it’s nice to see how the mentors really took this seriously and gave some great advice to our young professionals here,” said MYPros president Matthew Deleon Guerrero. “Making connections and learning from each other is key to professional success and creates a stronger business community.”

MYPro member HyunJae Lee, a lawyer, was thanked for her monetary donation to CARE CNMI to help ease the recovery after the destruction of Typhoon Soudelor.

Conversation starters were provided to all tables, which included multiple questions for mentors to address. MYPros were also invited to introduce themselves and tell their stories as well as ask any questions.

Polly Masga, general manager of Marianas Medical Center said, “I was asked about my pathway to where I am today. As mentors, I believe that sharing our success stories is great, but sharing our trials and challenges during that course is what was the true outcome of success. Balance is the key to everything and always stay true to who you are and what you believe in.”

Mentors stayed seated at tables throughout the showroom while MYPros rotated to each table so everyone had a chance to meet, greet and connect.

“This event was really fun!” said Myla Capilitan, MYPro Social Media Networking committee chair. “Getting to talk to all these amazing people in our professional community and hearing how they got to be where they are today, their hard work and dedication, was inspiring.”

With the economy picking up in the CNMI, the need for highly trained professionals is at an all-time high.

Rep. Vinnie Sablan of the 20th CNMI Legislature said, “It was an honor to be given the change to mentor our MYPros. Sharing experiences and different perspectives on issues helps everyone look ahead on how we can all deal with what we are all going through in the society we live in.”

MYPros is a non-profit that was created for the young professionals on Saipan. This was the first of four “Mentor a MYPro” throughout the year. Mentors included Rep. Vinnie Sablan, 20th CNMI Legislature; Education Commissioner Cynthia Deleon Guerrero; Vicky Benavente, special assistant for Project Development – CNMI Office of the Governor; ABTC Division director David Maratita; Bertha Leon Guerrero, human resources, Imperial Pacific International; Polly Masga, general manager, Marianas Medical Center; Shirley Sablan, EVP/ general manager, Pacifica Insurance Underwriters, Rep. Ivan Blanco, 20th CNMI Legislatur; Fran Castro, manager, CNMI Bureau of Environmental Coastal Quality; Matt Deets, general manager, Joeten Motors; Tyrell Pauling, F&B director, Hyatt Regency Saipan; Alex Youn, president/owner, AC Pacific I LOVE SAIPAN; Janice Tenorio, customer service manager, IT&E; and Alex Sablan, vice president, Century Insurance (TanHoldings).

Join the MYPros for “The Backpack Beach Cleanup” on April 29 at 7:30am at Forbidden Island. Check their Facebook page for more information: facebook.com/mypros670 or contact Sheila Babauta at 287-8151 or email at sheilababauta@gmail.com. (PR)