NVCC hosted the Young Professionals of Waterbury Region’s (YPOWR) “Influential Business CEO Speaker Series,” on January 25. The theme of the series this year was “Community Cornerstones and Driving Change in Higher Education.” In its fifth year, the series was held on NVCC’s Waterbury campus providing young professionals up-close-and-personal exposure to decision makers and community leaders along with a question and answer forum. In her keynote speech NVCC President Daisy Cocco DeFilippis, Ph.D., talked about the importance of moral leadership, social justice, community, and finding one’s path.

“If your heart and your mind are open to opportunities and you’re not afraid, you will grow as a professional,” De Filippis told attendees. “You have to believe in yourself and take yourself out of your comfort zone in order to advance your career.”

Community response was enthusiastic at the event which is organized annually by the Waterbury Regional Chamber.

The Young Professionals of the Waterbury Region organization (YPOWR) was founded in 2012. YPOWR was created to encourage young professionals to live, work and thrive in the greater Waterbury region. Its efforts aim to sustain and advance the vitality and culture in the area.  Members are energized to gain new connections, build their career, grow as leaders and contribute back to their community. The organization’s mission is to sustain and enrich greater Waterbury by uniting and developing its young professionals. Defining a young professional as an individual between 21- 39 who is looking to grow their career in the greater Waterbury region, YPOWR is working to address the state’s aging through keeping keep young, talented professionals connected to greater Waterbury and Connecticut.