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www.insideHALTON.com | OAKVILLE BEAVER | Thursday, January 22, 2015 | 16 Beers, Peers and Spheres a success for UWO by Nathan Howes Special to the Beaver Oakville's future community leaders were given an opportunity on Tuesday, Jan. 13 to learn what it takes to reach the next plateau in their careers. Hosted by GenNext Oakville, the first Beers, Peers and Spheres (of influence) networking event connected students and young professionals with industry executives to help get their foot in the door. The evening at Sheridan College featured door prizes, casual mingling time and three rounds of question-and-answer sessions that allowed guests to sit down with three different executives from sectors of their choice. GenNext is a committee of the United Way of Oakville (UWO). It creates opportunities for young professionals to support UWO, its funded agencies, and to get involved in the community. It hosted the Top 20 Under 40 Volunteer Awards in April 2014. Last week, its inaugural Beers, Peers and Spheres promised "an evening of small group Khurum Shafi and Stephanie Dragan speak with Sean Williams, director of Merchandise at PetSmart, during a GenNext Oakville networking event at Sheridan College last week. Proceeds support the United Way of Oakville. | photo by Jayson Mills - special to the Beaver The GenNext Committee organizes networking, where young professionals could enjoy exclusive hobnobbery with high- fundraising events, promotes volunteer powered executives in a number of industries." opportunities and encourages the next generation to contribute to the Oakville www.edwardjones.com community. "You don't have to be a CEO or CFO or CIO to give back to the community. Each one of you has the ability to create meaningful change in Oakville by getting involved, volunteering or making a financial donation of any size," said Geoff Gibson, chair of the GenNext cabinet. One of the executives who took part was Sudha Dwivedi, vice-president of human resources for Element Fleet Management. For Dwivedi, networking with young professionals and students was "outstanding," she said. "The diversity of questions that came forward was really excellent. I thought it was a great idea. We had a nice representation of different fields that the executives came from, as well as the attendees," she said. Dwivedi, a former UWO board member, said when you're a company leader, "You also need to be a leader in your community." "You need to give back somehow, whether it's through money, time or messaging. Tonight we gave back time, messaging and coaching to some of the young professionals to help them navigate their careers," said Dwivedi. "If leaders and businesses don't step up and help others become leaders in their own lives, then shame on us. You have to help out because somebody helped us, one way or another." Sarah Warr, a Sheridan College corporate communications student, registered for the see GenNext on p.17 Is your RRSP working hard enough? Marc Nutford - Financial Advisor 2387 Trafalgar Road, Oakville, ON L6H 6K7, 905-844-4043 marc.nutford@edwardjones.com · www.edwardjones.com Member ­ Canadian Investor Protection Fund Wag-a-Way St. Valentine's Day Special 10 off P G $ et Pet Grooming 905-845-0526 2136 Trafalgar Rd. www.wagaway.com COUPON VALID UNTIL FebrUAry 15, 2015 Coupon must be presented at appointment Minimum purchase $60 for all new & existing customers. roominG Icare optIcal y2 BuairS y P om oNl fr 15 off P G $ et COUPON VALID UNTIL FebrUAry 15, 2015 Coupon must be presented at appointment Minimum purchase $60 for First Time Customers Only. roominG eye exam oN Site 905-842-2005 69 leN 1 $ *Se eS eS e r f Se tor e fo il eta rd S 9 $9 ilorive P (No Bif lelN iNe - S reSSS ) eS g Se cal o o r (@ dorval iN the toyS r uS Plaza, Next to lcBo) 300 North Service rd W.