Young Professional Network

GPA establishes connections with Philadelphia’s leaders and organizations to promote the City’s World Heritage status and bring awareness to the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). As a networking organization, GPA is constantly building relationships with younger leaders in Philadelphia who work towards improving the City and promoting GPA’s mission.

This group of young individuals are known as GPA’s Young Professional Network.

This network serves as a collaborative team of GPA affiliated community leaders who have taken their talents to new heights in their careers.

Exclusive benefits:

• Admission to Young Professional seminars across the city

• Discounted tickets to the World Heritage City Celebration

• Direct access to a distinguished network of experienced leaders and professionals in both Philadelphia and abroad

As GPA continues to grow their Young Professional Network, they will increase young professional status on their committees and event boards, as well as promote more events for young leaders to get involved.

As a global city, Philadelphia is steadfast in its commitment to support and offer a wide range of opportunities to recent college graduates and young job seekers. GPA serves as a hub for these resources, consistently posting content related to university job fair and networking events, uplifting local business leaders that serve as a positive example, and connecting Philadelphians to our network of World Heritage Cities and contacts abroad.

Read below to learn more about recent opportunities for members of the Young Professional Network. If you're interested in joining, please contact Gary Wooten or send in a request below. 

World Heritage Week Young Professional Panel Discussion

As part of GPA’s World Heritage Week celebration in 2022, GPA hosted a diverse group of young professionals to talk about their career paths and how important it is to think globally.

The panel featured the following professionals: Layla El Tannir, the Director of Business Development for Reading Terminal Market, Laura Joy Stansbury, Audit Senior Manager at Deloitte, Divy Agnihotri, Legal Consultant for GPA, Akansha Chauhan, GPA’s Events Coordinator, Jeremy Goodman, GPA’s Education Fellow, Aaron Stoyack, Historic Commission Secretary for Upper Uwchlan Township, and Gary Wooten, GPA’s Program Coordinator. This discussion was held on May 23, 2022 and was hosted virtually by young professional and GPA staff member Gary Wooten

“My time with GPA exposed me to a different system of governance, different issues faced by the country. And more importantly, I was exposed to a different culture. My goal was to join an organization that was connected to various aspects of the city. And I knew that’s exactly what GPA was,” said Divy Agnihotri. 

World Heritage City Celebration Pre-Networking Event

Prior to the annual World Heritage City Celebration (WHCC), young professional co-chairs Toyin Ogunfolaju, Jacobs, and Samar Jha, AARP, hosted a pre-networking event at the Reading Terminal Market. They were assisted by GPA staff members Gary Wooten and Andrew Beers, along with a young professional board member and Director of Business Development at the Reading Terminal, Layla El-Tannir.

Ogunfolaju and Jha were asked to serve as young professional co-chairs for the 2022 WHCC, and they were tasked with promoting the young professional element of the celebration. Both Ogunfolaju and Jha cemented the idea of holding an event to engage with young professionals in Philadelphia.

This event featured WHCC programming, GPA resources, and a presentation on how to grow as a young professional.

As an innovative, global, growing city, Philadelphia has a place for everyone. 

“Working for GPA was an experience I could never forget. I did meaningful work for the organization. I have written articles I am proud of, made connections that will last my career, and developed skills that are invaluable. I felt like a valued part of the team and I am so thankful for the experience.”

- Sydney Badman,

Trade and Investment Officer, British Consulate, Temple Alumni & former GPA Office Manager