Empower the Next Generation of WTCA Leaders

As someone early in my career, mentorship has been one of the most valuable assets in my professional journey. There is something deeply meaningful about building connections with others — both within your organization and beyond it.  

What makes WTCA truly unique is that it is more than a network — it’s a community that feels like a family. Members genuinely want to help one another. They inspire each other with new programming, jump on quick calls to share ideas, and openly discuss how to implement trade services, business club initiatives, real estate strategies, and more. That spirit of collaboration is what sets WTCA apart.  

Mentorship plays a powerful role in that culture. It helps young professionals uncover their strengths, gain the confidence to lead, and see perspectives they might never have encountered on their own. That is exactly why Aubrey and I believed the Mentor–Mentee Match Up session would be impactful at this year’s Member Forum — a space to spark meaningful conversations and new professional relationships.  

During the session, participants were matched based on their experience, expertise , and skill sets. This was only the first step — an initial conversation — and our hope is that many of these connections will evolve over time. In fact,  several participants have already expressed interest in continuing the dialogue.  

As Brian Dil, Communications Intern, WTC Delaware, shared, “The Mentor-Mentee Match Up session was my favorite part of the Member Forum because of the exposure and networking opportunities it provided. I believe this program is incredibly valuable for young professionals like myself. ”

These reflections remind us that the next generation of WTCA professionals is eager to learn, contribute, and lead — they simply need the space and guidance to do so. Supporting young professionals is not just an investment in individuals; it is an investment in the future of WTCA .

As we continue building stronger programs and services, let us also build stronger people. Because behind every initiative, report, trade mission, or business club event — there is a young professional learning, growing, and preparing to carry the WTCA legacy forward.  

I encourage every Member to take one small step: reach out to a young professional — share a tip, offer a conversation, or simply ask how you can help. Sometimes, that is all it takes to spark confidence, inspiration, or a new idea.  

Recently, Fahima and I attended the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE) Conference, and both came away invigorated with a desire to find ways to bridge the gap between generations both in our own lives, and within the broader WTCA Network.  

With our 2025 Member Forum theme being “Empowering Emerging Voices, " we felt it was the perfect opportunity to spotlight the next generation with our first ever “Next Gen Talks: Driving Change from Within” panel. This session was designed to open a dialogue between Members of different generations, regions, and in different stages of their careers.  

Panelists Denzell Wallace (World Trade Center Greater Philadelphia), Mariah Oke-Thomas (World Trade Center Kansas City) and Goodness Alabi (World Trade Center Abuja) spoke honestly about their experiences within their own career paths and how their World Trade Center teams traverse cross-generational ideas.  

Navigating change was a topic that often came up in these conversations, and now more than ever, being able to explore new ideas and maneuver through rapidly advancing technology and shifting global policies with an open mind is crucial to the success of W TCA Members. As panelist Mariah Oke-Thomas said:   

“With change we can usher in a new way of accepting and a new way of seeing things that have never been proposed before ....not all ideas are accepted because they bring change and change can be uncomfortable. When a system has been in place for a long time, it can be difficult for people to adapt or embrace something that is unfamiliar. I believe the most valuable thing we can do in the workplace is to usher and foster an environment of equal opportunity where everyone can feel empowered to share their ideas and perspectives .”  

Happily, the panel attendees, ranging from W TCA Members’ seasoned executives to interns, were curious, engaged and generous with their participation. One participant, Hassan El Kojak, from World Trade Center Riyadh, noted the importance of patience across generations when creating change through new ideas.  

Ultimately, Fahima and I both came away from this session with a reinforced motivation to continue these conversations into 2026 and beyond. Seeing how the WTCA network engaged with each other with such willingness and open mindedness in both this session as well as our Mentor/Mentee session, we are incredibly optimistic about future cross-generational programming.