GenNEXT Council

GenNEXT is a Young Professionals Organization (YPO) of the Albany-Colonie Regional Chamber and the Chamber of Schenectady County.

Membership in GenNEXT is free and open to all Chamber members from both organizations. Not sure if your company is a member? Ask Christina Palleschi. Otherwise, complete a membership application to join GenNEXT.

Information about GenNEXT:

GenNEXT promotes the role of young professionals in our region.
GenNEXT develops strategies to attract and retain young professionals in the Capital Region as well as giving them the tools they need to enhance their personal and professional development.
GenNEXT has two mentorship programs: one connecting young professionals with the region’s top executives and the other connecting young professionals with local college students.
GenNEXT launched a blog to keep young professionals and the community up to date on GenNEXT and its initiatives. Check it out at gennextypo.blogspot.com and provide your comments.
GenNEXT monthly programs/events provide effective networking opportunities and educational workforce topics.
GenNEXT created two new task forces to engage its members.

Yes, GenNEXT has an event every month which is open to all Chamber members. Please check the Chamber’s events calendar to register.

The only "traditional" meetings held by GenNEXT are the monthly task force meetings, which are open to all members. GenNEXT currently has two task forces.

Useful information:

Quick facts about GenNEXT

Since our Council’s inception in 2004, our accomplishments include:

Building a community of more than 650 young professionals.
Developing and implementing successful mentoring programs for young professionals and local college students with more than 350 mentor/mentee matches.
Receiving "Honorable Mention" for our "Economic & Business Development Campaign" from the American Chamber of Commerce’s "Best of the Best" Awards.
Receiving the "Leaders of Tomorrow" award by the Center for Economic Growth.
Gaining support from senior business executives and community leaders including former First Lady of New York State Ms. Silda Wall-Spitzer; former chair for Empire State Development for Downstate, Mr. Patrick Foye; and generational expert, Mr. David Stillman.
Participating in Silda Wall-Spitzer’s I Live NY Summit as moderators, speakers, firestarters and attendees.
Several council members write a rotating column within the business section of the Times Union, the region’s largest newspaper.
A number of our members have been honored by The Business Review with ‘Forty Under 40’ awards.
Many council members serve on boards of directors and as trustees of nonprofit organizations.
Serving as advisors to start-up young professional organizations across New York state.
Engaging the area’s nonprofit community through activities coordinated by the council’s “Tomorrows Leaders Today” Task Force.
Gauging the council members housing preferences through the “Live Work Play” Task Force.
Collaborating with both Chambers to brand the council as a ‘One Region, One Vision’ initiative.
Holding three successful signature events on economic development, generational education and nonprofit involvement.
Hosting monthly events to educate young professionals on advocacy, generational awareness in the workplace among other topics.
Developing and implementing the "Discover Tech Valley, Rediscover Home" program to attract former residents back to Tech Valley.
Participating, as panelists, in the Chamber Association of New York State’s annual conference.
Creating a blog to enhance communication among young professionals and share information relative to their interests.
Empowering young professionals and acting as a sounding board for the next generation.

When we started our journey, we envisioned GenNEXT to be a model organization that other regions would look to as they addressed their own economic development growth. The fact that we have received attention from the highest levels of New York state government speaks volumes about how far we’ve come.

We are proud of what we’ve accomplished to date and we’ve got even bigger plans for the future. Whether you are a member, prospective member or a supporter, we hope you’ll join us as we help shape the future of Tech Valley.

Membership in GenNEXT is free and open to all Chamber members.

Need more information about GenNEXT? Contact Christina Palleschi at (518) 431-1414.