Emerging Leaders

The Houston Downtown Alliance's Emerging Leaders (EL) is the largest young professionals group in Houston. EL is a vast networking group with membership exceeding 600 members and over 300 companies and organizations represented. EL promotes downtown businesses, supports philanthropic activities, and plans social events all to encourage the professional development of all of our members.

If you would like more information about Emerging leaders, please do not hesitate to contact Ewart Jones (2008 El Chair) at ewartjonesjr@yahoo.com or Mike Spears (2008 EL Vice-Chair) at mikespears@houstonyellowcab.com.

Membership

The Membership Committee is responsible for the coordination of EL's key networking vehicle: the monthly happy hour. The happy hours serve a dual purpose providing a networking opportunity for members and a promotional opportunity for the venues. They are often held at local downtown spots such as a new restaurant or bar. Committee members serve as ambassadors for the organization and are often the first contact for prospective members. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Shavonnah at shavonnah_roberts@yahoo.com.

Community Outreach

The Community Outreach Committee's emphasis is on developing a stronger spirit of volunteerism and community among Emerging Leaders. Part of the social responsibility of being an "emerging leader" is giving back to the community that has yielded our success. Members give up their lunch every last Thursday of the month to be on kitchen duty at the Loaves and Fishes center. They also spend time every month at the Beacon, located in the John S. Dunn center. Activities here range from food service to the clothing center. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Anthony at a.simpson05@gmail.com.

Special Events

Special events are one of the most exciting and innovative approaches to networking, making friends, reaching out to the community and celebrating the ambitions of young, driven and successful professionals. SEC is a committee that can use any talent you have to offer from event planning, to promoting, organizing and fundraising. The largest event of the year, the “Reds, Whites, and Blues” wine tasting, is planned and executed by the SEC committee. EL members get a rare opportunity to sample delicious food and wine from various vendors in and around downtown. This event has been a beneficial way for local vendors and sponsors to reach their target audience, people who live, work and play downtown. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Matthew at mmarcinek@smbology.com.

Professional Development

The Professional Development Committee is responsible for ensuring that the "learn" portion of the EL mandate is successful. Activities include "Lunch to Grow On" meetings where members (and the general public) are invited to a presentation from a professional on a wide range of topics, as well as our "Vision Luncheon," business etiquette dinner and foreign language classes. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Kristin at KristinS@penwell.com.

Health and Recreations

The Health and Recreations Committee is about keeping both mind and body healthy. This committee strives to keep EL members informed on a variety of topics ranging from recreational opportunities around town to exercise and health tips. Some of the recent events the group has participated in or volunteered at are the Chevron Houston Marathon and Park to Park Run. Coming up this month is the Guaranty Bank Tour de Houston. Members are encouraged to not only participate in recreational events, but also to make being fit and healthy a part of their daily lives. The group draws encouragement from each other as they make eating right and exercising fun. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Karen at kstewart@crescent.com.

Photo Gallery

For pictures from EL Events click this link!

2008ELSteeringCommittee

EwartJones,Chair
MikeSpears,ViceChair
AnthonySimpson,CommunityOutreachChair
KarenOsbornStewart,Health&RecreationChair
ShavonnahRoberts,MembershipChair
KristinStavinoha,ProfessionalDevelopmentChair
MatthewMarcinek,SpecialEventsChair

At-large:

JenniferBrandino
RedaDennis
DerrickDudley
DeborahFrancis
MandyGraessle
CareyKirkpatrick
AmyLampi
JenniferLudlam
LeighMcKitrick
DavidNachtigall
DivyaParalkar
BenScriber
LaurenSummerville
HeidiThomas
MartyThompson
ToddTisch
HilaryHaglundWalker
DeniseWaltman