Emerging Leaders

Promoting the growth of young professionals while supporting the development of a vibrant Downtown Houston.

About Emerging Leaders: The Houston Downtown Alliance's Emerging Leaders (EL) is the largest young professionals group in Houston. EL is a vast networking group with membership exceeding 600 members and over 300 companies and organizations represented. EL promotes downtown businesses, supports philanthropic activities, and plans social events all to encourage the professional development of all of our members.

Join EL! - EL is a program of HDA so by joining at any level, you automatically can participate in EL. Emerging Leaders is also a great program for corporations that are interested in involving their young professionals in all aspects of Houston and meeting other like-minded individuals.

Upcoming Event

Integrating Industries Happy Hour: Energy & Marketing

May 16, 2012

Join EL at Phoenicia MKT Bar from 6-8 p.m. for our first Integrating Industries happy hour! Get to know young professionals in the Energy & Marketing sectors, while enjoying complimentary appetizers from Phoenicia. Members recieve their first drink FREE, and everyone is invited to join in the fun.

Not an EL member? Click here to join for only $20!

Happy hour is free, but registration is required - click here to register today!

Thank you to event sponsor, Phoenicia Specialty Foods.

Save the date for our upcoming events & meetings - more details coming soon!

June 20 - Summer Mixer for Interns & New Graduates

July 10 - Steering Committee Meeting (Open to Public)

August 8 - Industry Night

September 11 - Steering Commitee Meeting (Open to Public)

October 6 - Emerging Leaders Gala

November 13 - Steering Committee Meeting (Open to Public)

Ways In Which You Can Be Involved

Find Emerging Leaders on:

Community Outreach

We don't wear orange jumpsuits but we aren't afraid to get dirty. We are here to make a difference in our community and ourselves. Join us as we feed those that are hungry, clean up our community and make the world a little better. And have a great time doing it. Service doesn't suck. Try it. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Brenton Bellamy at bdbellamy@comerica.com.

Professional Development

The Professional Development Committee is responsible for ensuring that the "learn" portion of the EL mandate is successful. Activities include "Lunch to Grow On" meetings where members (and the general public) are invited to a presentation from a professional on a wide range of topics, as well as our "Vision Luncheon," business etiquette dinner and foreign language classes. For more information or to become involved with this committee, contact Lena Engel at lengel@ogblh.com.

2012 EL Steering Committee

Jillian VanZelfden, Chair
TBD, Vice-Chair
Lena Engel, Professional Development Chair
Anya Gersib, Community Outreach Chair

At-large

Brenton Bellamy l Liz Cleveland l Allison Gilbert l Nels Hansen l Reda Hicks l Leslie Jackson l Kelly Kindred l Gabe Lerner l Matt Massar l Erin McClarty l Joseph Plumbar l Nina Rand

Thank you to Emerging Leaders' Graphics Sponsor: