MyPro: Time for young leaders to shine

About a year ago, seven young professionals met to discuss issues affecting the CNMI, with a plan to empower their young peers and steer the Commonwealth in right directions.

That was the birth of the Marianas Young Professionals, an independent non-profit organization composed of young and dynamic individuals, full of ideas to build a better CNMI.

MyPros wants to stir up flames among CNMI youth and empower them with skills and knowledge to reshape their future. Legacies, lessons, and values—these are what the group aims to impart on those willing to rise up to the challenge as the next wave of CNMI leaders.

“We hope through MyPros we can empower the youth of today to take an active role in the decision making process in the CNMI. We also hope to provide a support system for emerging professionals who may struggle to find their niche in the CNMI and make the CNMI workforce an appealing place for those who are away in college to return,” said MyPros director Matt Deleon Guerrero, a senior policy adviser at the Governor’s Office.

“As a nonprofit start-up, several young professionals recognized a need and had a desire to establish an organization to meet that need,” Deleon Guerrero said. “The founding members brainstormed the feasibility of creating MyPros, various ideas and plans were tossed around and, eventually, the decision was made to formally establish an actual entity—the Marianas Young Professionals (MyPros). In the course of discussions of getting established, the first board of directors was installed.”

The current members of the board are also emerging professionals. MyPros also has a current membership of 70 young professionals.

Bo Palacios is the founding president of MyPros and is joined by Xerox sales executive Nola Hix (vice president), Northern Marianas College director for Institutional Effectivenes Jacqueline Che (secretary), Commonwealth Utilities Corp. water shed engineer Nikki Villagomez (treasurer), and directors Rep. Angel Demapan (R-Saipan) and REACH project assistant at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp.’s Division of Public Health Services Kaitlyn Neises-Mocanu.

MyPros has also discussed “the lack of outlets” to connect young people who are trying to build their careers, Deleon Guerrero said.

“So we came up with the MyPros to connect passionate young professionals with opportunities to grow and engage socially, professionally, and civically for the benefit of the Commonwealth.”

MyPros remains independent, and is not connected to any political party or interest group. They are a diverse group of individuals united with a common goal of helping the future of the CNMI.

“There are no limitations or restrictions in the scope of our network. MyPros represent various parts of the CNMI. Having an independent nonprofit organization (not directly connected to the Saipan Chamber of Commerce or receiving financial backing from any business) helps keep things in perspective,” added Deleon Guerrero.

“Our board and membership is very diverse, so we talk about issues from domestic violence, drug addiction and health care to poverty, to the legislative process, to professional development and skills building.”

MyPros’ objectives are to attract, promote and retain young professionals in the CNMI; provide them with unique opportunities for professional development, entrepreneurial endeavors, networking, monitoring, and civic involvement; empowering future leaders to enact positive change; and build fruitful partnerships across all sectors of the community.

The board holds monthly meetings to discuss current and upcoming activities, events and initiatives. The board and the members meet on a quarterly basis but Typhoon Soudelor ruined their schedule.

MyPros membership is open to all CNMI residents age 21 to 40. Annual membership dues are $30. They are looking for individuals who want to engage in positive change and meet their peers who want to do the same.

“Some people may not consider themselves a professional, so they shouldn’t join, but that isn’t the case. We are not looking for credentials,” said Deleon Guerrero.

They have been busy doing a number of community projects like Adopt-A-Highway, relief drive for the people of Rota after Typhoon Dolphin, hosted a breast cancer walk Pinktober, a “war on ice” active participant, organized United 4 Saipan—a grassroots volunteer group that provided access to water, food and other essentials for people affected by Typhoon Soudelor.