Aspiring Law Associate Sarah Ogilvie has been appointed to the leadership team of Wanaka Young Professionals, a network of more than 100 people looking to grow together in their careers.

Sarah joins James Kingscote, of Mike Pero Mortgages, Tom Jarrold, of Colliers International and Alex Cull, of Crowe Horwath, to lead the network, which has been running for just over a year.

“We’ve banded together to help each other host network events and professional development, and also generally keep everyone within the group abreast of issues that affect them, local businesses, and the wider Upper Clutha community,” Sarah says.

“It’s also a great way for professionals to meet others who are at a similar stage in their career, share their experiences and, generally, engage more widely.”

And, the welcome mat is pretty large.

“The group started off targeted at professionals under 35, but, in reality, it really is a case of ‘the more the merrier’, and the focus has fallen more on people who are in the first 15-or-so years of their career. Now we have 110 in the network … and growing,” she says.

One regular event that is becoming increasingly popular among Upper Clutha businesses is the chance to host the Wanaka Young Professionals, and explain more about their business.

“These get-togethers are fantastic – local businesses host the event, which generally attracts more than 30 professionals from our network. The business explains to us what they do, how they do it.

“It’s great all round – we get to learn more about the businesses operating in our community, and they have the opportunity to promote all they do in front of a group of active referrers, many of whom are themselves working at the hub of key businesses and industries.”

Sarah, who moved to the Upper Clutha from Queenstown to take up her role with Aspiring Law last year, says joining Wanaka Young Professionals is fast-tracking her integration into the local business community.

“This is a really rewarding way for me to get to know the local community better at the grass roots level and become actively involved in the Upper Clutha’s dynamic and unique business environment.”

If you’re interested in joining the Wanaka Young Professionals, or you’re involved in a business that would like to host the network at an event, Sarah would love to hear from you: [email protected].