IGNITE

IGNITE hosts events and opportunities to attract, engage and retain young professionals to the Rockford Region. Membership is open to any young professional who lives, works, learns or plays in the Rockford region.

INVOLVE, REACH, EDUCATE

IGNITE’s three committees work together to create the best opportunities for our members in the areas of personal and professional development, service, and connection to the community.

INVOLVE (volunteer)

Our INVOLVE team focuses on creating awareness of local service opportunities for our members. In 2021, we increased our outreach to nonprofits by creating a Meet a Non-Profit series. This series allowed IGNITE members to learn more about non-profits in our area. Our members were able to connect with the following non-profits: One Body Collaboratives, Goodwill Industries of Northern Illinois, Rockford Park District Foundation, and Tinker Swiss Cottage! REACH (social)

REACH consistently offers our members personal networking opportunities at various restaurants throughout the community through our monthly After 5s. In 2021, we hosted a young professional hike in conjunction with 815 Outside, a game night, and After 5s at Hidden Creek Estates and Prairie Street Brewing Co. Our holiday party was at Skybox, where members dressed in their ugliest Christmas sweaters and got to try their hand at the sports simulators!

EDUCATE (professional development)

Our EDUCATE team has always organized our popular monthly Lunch with a Leader event! Inviting local CEO’s and leaders to come sit down for a casual lunch with young professionals allows for an intimate setting where connections are created and personalized questions can be asked. The leaders who shared their own leadership journey with us were Martesha Brown, Brent Pentenburg, Dr. Mandolen Mull, Mayor Tom McNamara, Jarrod Hennis, Whitney Martin, Conor Brown, Heather Kelley, Luz Ramirez, and Beth Thacker.

A special thanks to our 2021 Leadership Team: President- Danica Keeton; Vice President- Kira Devin; Coordinator- Carmen Kellerman; Marketing Director- Brianna Crosser; INVOLVE Co-Chairs- Shane Sullivan and Kaleb Price; REACH Co-Chair- Vicky Rhine and Janessa Wilkins; EDUCATE Co-Chairs- Kyle York and Bobby Reitsch.

Membership is open to any young professional who lives, works, learns or plays in the Rockford Region. Visit igniterockford.com to learn more or to join!