Young Women’s Professional Association finds “Sweet” spot

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Wednesday, February 15, 2012

Meghan Ottolini, GoLocalWorcester Contributor

For years, local men have had the Worcester Young Businessmen’s Association (YBA), a non-profit group providing crucial networking in the area business community. Now, a new female group is taking on the old boys’ club.

The Young Women’s Professional Association of Worcester (YWPA) is less than a year old, but the non-profit organization already has garnered an impressive number of 85 paying members, mostly through word-of-mouth. The group holds a social/networking event once a month, focusing on issues ranging from health to economic development - with cocktails, of course.

“We’ve figured out our sweet spot, and it’s a balance between self-enrichment and networking,” said co-president Jen Roy.

Fittingly, YWPA’s most recent event Monday was held at Shrewsbury Street’s bakery and bar, Sweet. Owner Alina Eisenhauer spoke to members on how to turn a dream into a successful business. Eisenhauer, who has appeared on the Food Network, was impressed by Monday’s turnout.

“I think everyone here is an entrepreneur-type, and that’s a different type of person,” said Eisenhauer. “There are so many people here, there are probably so many different ideas, and that’s so important. Men or women, you need to be around other people with that entrepreneurial attitude.”

In October, YWPA held a joint event with the YBA. “I think the were impressed with us because we had a lot of people there, and it was members-only event. About a week later I got an email from one of the guys who I talked to there about a job opportunity,” said YWPA member Jessica Saburin, who has been part of the group since its inception last June.

Roy said she noticed a major professional networking void in the area when she heard many women had been going to YBA meetings last spring. Over the past 8 months YWPA has been in a trial-and-error phase, but with the success of its monthly events, she wants to develop an even stronger network.

“What’s so unique about us is that the atmosphere is really relaxing and fun,” said co-president Jen Roy. “We have a group of regulars we’ve seen since September, but we’ve had new faces every month.”

“I’ve learned a lot just about the city, and I’ve gotten to meet some influential people. There’s a lot of good old boys’ groups, so this is a pretty cool parallel,” said Saburin. 

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