Young professionals organizations provide opportunities for growth, connection, and community engagement for Western North Carolina’s emerging leaders. These organizations, usually organized according to county or city, share the common goal of supporting professionals under 45 in their careers. 

In Asheville, one such program is PROpel AVL, an initiative of the Asheville Chamber of Commerce. "PROpel AVL serves emerging leaders across diverse industries and career levels, from entry-level employees to managers and entrepreneurs,” said Erin Leonard, vice president of communications for the Chamber. “What unites our participants is their shared interest in professional development, community engagement, and building meaningful connections with their peers." Leonard points out that the organization’s membership spans industries such as finance, manufacturing, construction, hospitality, food and beverage, real estate, and education.

One notable trend, according to Leonard, has been the increased engagement from employers. “PROpel AVL has gained strong momentum over the past year, with increasing participation from young professionals and growing support from local businesses,” she said. “We’ve been exploring ways to involve them long term and align with young professional cohorts within larger companies. For example, our partnership with First Bank recruited five new committee members from across the organization, bringing in diverse talent from across the county. We’re also collaborating with UNC Asheville, A-B Tech and Western Carolina University and exploring ways to work with nonprofits with younger staff.” 

Leonard also emphasizes the direct impact PROpel AVL has on workforce development, with programming focused on career success, stress management, and agility, all of which contribute to a stronger and more dynamic workforce across industries. "PROpel AVL plays an important role in workforce development by supporting the growth of young professionals and nurturing future leaders," she said.

Young professionals organizations can also aid in local talent retention, fostering connections that encourage members to remain in the area and contribute to its growth. "By fostering deep professional and personal connections,” said Leonard, “we help create a sense of belonging that encourages young professionals to build their careers here in Asheville.” 

Such a benefit becomes even more important in a rural setting like Ashe County, where Bailey Little leads the Ashe County Young Professionals (ACYP). ACYP is open to anyone ages 21 to 45 who works and/or lives in Ashe County. “Our current, active membership ranges from 24 to early 40s,” said Little. “There is certainly a more localized theme of employment among our members. Our community has a big nonprofit presence as a rural area and not as many larger corporations.”

Little, who is currently the group’s sole officer, is endeavoring to build up engagement after it was depleted by Hurricane Helene. “I am hopeful that our membership will increase again,” she said. “Our January meeting only had five attendees but our February one had 11. We vary quite a bit in our professional careers, with many of our members working for local nonprofits. One newer member works for Western Youth Network, and another works for Lost Province Center for Cultural Arts. Our group represents a diverse skill set, and that diversity is quite beautiful and powerful."

Recent Federal Reserve data indicated that the average wealth of U.S. households under age 40 was $259,000 in the fourth quarter of 2023. The Center for American Progress reports that inflation-adjusted wealth for younger Americans has grown nearly 50 percent since right before the pandemic. The spending power of these young professionals is a significant factor when considered as part of a community’s financial ecosystem. 

“Almost all of us, with the exception of one, live in and pay taxes in Ashe County,” said Little. “Many also work in Ashe County. We all love to shop and eat locally, which gives back from a consumer standpoint. I would love for us to do more this year to help the local economic landscape aside from just spending money at businesses, although that is a huge help.” 

In Boone, Emma Faulkner is content manager for the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce and a committee member for High Country Young Professionals. The group has been around for a long-time but was relaunched in 2023 and has quickly grown to more than 200 members, with a strong presence in hospitality, higher education, and non-profits. “We also get a good amount of folks who work from home and are looking for professional connections and community,” Faulkner said.  “Under 40 is the age requirement, with most being in their mid-twenties to early thirties.”

Young professionals organizations in WNC are not just social clubs or networking opportunities—they are engines of community engagement, workforce development, and economic growth. These organizations are crucial to the long-term sustainability of the region’s business environment by ensuring young talent remains invested in our communities.