UPDATE! BPW/Raleigh's 2012 Young Careerist named BPW/NC Winner in June 2012!

Four Local Young Professionals Benchmarked Against Each Other

Candidates were encouraged to consider this event as an opportunity to review their professional accomplishments, to focus their thoughts, and to consider their future goals during the program process.

On Tuesday March 27, 2012 area young career women learned first-hand the challenges and rewards of validating their personal and professional efforts. On that day Business and Professional Women (BPW) of Raleigh held the final stage of its Virginia Allan Young Careerist competition.

This program recognizes and celebrates the accomplishments of young professional women between the ages of 21 and 35 for their endeavors at bettering themselves and others.

“We were excited to hear from and see these outstanding women who competed for this prestigious award,” shared BPW President Michelle Evans. “The women who competed used the event as a self-inspiring process; allowing them to step back and look at ways they are affecting others through their career and volunteer work.”

The event kicked off with BPW Raleigh Young Careerist 1986, Wendy Scott, making the introductions. Ms. Scott competed and won the Raleigh and the 8 county BPW regional competitions, and participated at the State level. After reflecting on her experience and how it impacted her career, it was time for each candidate to complete their portion of the competition with a four minute speech.

The 2012 Young Careerist candidates:

• Elaina Bright - Admissions Counselor, William Peace University
  Ms. Bright is responsible for recruiting students as well as speaking with students at target schools in the area.

• Michelle Davis - US Acquisitions and Divestiture Lead, IBM
  Ms. Davis is responsible for working with the acquisitions, contract migration and operations teams to drive contracts to closure.

• Domenica Santoro - Financial Services Representative, Mass Mutual Financial Group.
  Ms. Santoro works with families and business owners to analyze their current financial situation, identify financial goals and objectives, and provide solutions to fill in the gaps.

• Katie Wyatt - Executive Director, KidZNotes
  Ms. Wyatt manages the business and development of the organization.
  

Although this event has historically been called a competition, there is a judging component to it. Prior to the event candidates were asked to complete a biographical form and to write an essay based on the BPW platform. On the day of the event personal interviews and speeches were conducted to complete the scoring required.

Judges were drawn from across our business and professional local community, creating a diverse panel of experts who lead, innovate, and mentor in their profession. The distinguished judging panel included:

• Lakshmi Challa – Managing Attorney, Challa Law Offices 
• Fran O’Sullivan – General Manager, Integrated Supply Chain, IBM
• Dr. Carolyn Nye – Professor and Chair Business/HR/Leadership Programs, William Peace University

“We are proud to announce Katie Wyatt as our 2012 Young Careerist!” exclaimed Young Careerist Chair Laura Hartwick at the end of the event. “Ms. Wyatt will now go on to compete at our state conference in Hickory, NC on June 22-23.”

Ms. Wyatt earned a Bachelor of Music in Viola Performance and Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Indiana University. She also earned a Master of Music from the Cleveland Institute of Music. A former orchestra management fellow of the American Symphony Orchestra League, Ms. Wyatt served as Director of Education and Community Engagement for the North Carolina Symphony from 2007 to 2009.  She is Adjunct Professor of Viola at North Carolina State University and has played with orchestras throughout the U.S. and Europe, including the New World Symphony, the UBS Verbier Festival Orchestra, the Spoleto Festival USA Orchestra, the Columbus Symphony, and the Youth Orchestra of the Americas.

It was with the Youth Orchestra of the Americas in 2005 that Ms. Wyatt toured Venezuela and was introduced to and inspired byEl Sistema.  She immediately began to consider how the El Sistema model might benefit at-risk children at home.  In July 2010 Ms. Wyatt assumed the full-time post of Executive Director of KidZNotes; a nonprofit fighting poverty and encouraging positive decision making by instructing and engaging children in classical orchestral music.

The winner of the Young Careerist competition is also awarded a 1-year membership to the organization; benefiting from networking opportunities, opportunities for personal and professional development, opportunities to learn about the issues of concern to workingwomen, and educational programs and visibility.

Audience members listening to speeches	Audience members listening to speeches
2012 YC winner Katie Wyatt thanking the judges after the winner was announced	Group picture of candidates (from left to right - Elaina Bright, Katie Wyatt, Domenica Santoro, Michelle Davis)