MYPros holds successful launch mixer

The Marianas Young Professionals, or MYPros, held a very successful Happy Hour Launch Mixer last Friday, April 10, at the Pacific Islands Club’s Seaside Grill. The mixer, MYPros’ first social event, brought together 80 of the CNMI’s professionals under the age of 40, for an evening of networking, pitching ideas, and sharing challenges and solutions to help chart course of the Commonwealth’s future.

Lt. Gov. Ralph Dlg. Torres and his wife, Lady Diann, were among the young professionals from both the public and private sector in attendance.

“We hoped to bring together a broad range of professionals from across the CNMI,” said MYPros president Bo Palacios. “So it was truly gratifying to see such a diverse turnout at our launch mixer.”

MYPros was formed independently and organically in an effort to represent the interests of the CNMI’s young population and not any special interest group. With over a hundred already registered, MYPros will continue its membership drive to help build upon the momentum of the Launch Mixer.

The Mixer also gave young professionals a chance to sign up for subcommittees such as Membership, Social Networking, Events & Mixers, Community Involvement, Government & Private Policies, and Business Development. Members were also encouraged to submit their ideas for community projects they would like to see implemented.

“We are so pleased to see that there are many young men and women in the CNMI who want to make a difference. This is only the beginning of a new and focused movement to bring the power of young minds into our community,” said MYPros vice president Nola Hix. “We especially want to thank Lt. Gov. Torres for his participation and support for our organization.”

In addition to Palacios and Hix, the founding MYPros board include treasurer Nikki Villagomez, CUC water/wastewater engineer; secretary Jacqueline Che, NMC director of Institutional Effectiveness; directors Matt Deleon Guerrero, Lt. Governor’s chief of staff; Kaitlyn Neises-Mocanu, REACH project assistant at the Division of Public Health; and Rep. Angel A. Demapan from the CNMI Legislature.

“The success of our launch mixer would not have been possible without the support of our sponsors,” said Villagomez. “We would like to thank MARPAC Distributors, Pacific Islands Club, Delta Air Lines, Joeten Enterprises, Xerox Corp., Saipan World Resort, Pacifica Insurance, IT&E, Fiesta Resort & Spa, Megabyte, Triple J Truckload Store, Steven Brownstein Entertainment, and Hyatt Regency Saipan.”

The mission of MYPros is to connect passionate young professionals with opportunities for social and professional growth and civic engagement for the benefit of the Commonwealth.

MYPros invites motivated, driven individuals within the ages of 21 to 40 who live or work in the CNMI to register for membership by visiting www.MYPros.org. (MYPros)