Written by: Marina Kazakidis, BABC Coordinator and Junior at Temple University
As leaders of the BABC Young Professionals Group (YPG), Pat Riley, Vice President of Bartlett & Company Inc., and Julien Franklin, Marketing Communications Executive at Aberdeen Asset Management, have made impressive moves in the corporate world and have embraced their leadership roles with the BABC. We are honored to work with them in their capacity of BABC YPG Co-Leaders. Pat and Julien were enthusiastic to share some of their thoughts about the BABC, the YPG, and the Philadelphia business community.
Pat Riley connected with the BABC after joining Bartlett & Company Inc., a Leeds, UK-based Company which began in 1940 and currently has operations in London and Philadelphia, providing insurance broking and risk management services. Bartlett’s President, Richard Bartlett, who is British by birth, but lived and worked in Philadelphia for several years, took over BABC membership from his father who was a founding corporate member many years ago. Because of Pat’s professional connection to the UK, he found it beneficial to join the YPG and eagerly accepted the challenge of co-leading the special interest group. When asked what sparked his desire to be a part of the YPG, Pat told us: “my biggest interest was and still is the many opportunities to network with likeminded, ambitious young people who are invested in business.” Pat said he appreciates the effort the BABC puts into expanding and assisting the YPG. Through his involvement with the BABC YPG, Pat met a new business owner at an event, connected her with Bartlett in the UK, and kick-started a valuable professional relationship for his company.
Pat explained: “Philadelphia is a melting pot of new, old, domestic and international business. I believe the City’s initiative to keep young people – whether it is right out of college or those interested in the business world post-college – in the city will be successful, and Philadelphia will continue to retain talent and ‘get younger.’”
As a leader of the YPG, Pat has a few goals to keep everything running smoothly: continuously increase membership which will increase the size of the group; increase the amount of events and the number of attendees; and to spread buzz on social media and throughout the City. The YPG has a lot to offer its members and friends but one of the great things Pat has come to appreciate most is the diversity of its members. “Yes, the goal is to interest those under 40 years of age but that gives a lot of leeway for who joins, what companies they’re a part of and what their goals are for the future – whether it be personal or professional.”
Julien Franklin, similar to Pat, learned about the BABC through the company he works for: Aberdeen Asset Management. When it came to leading the YPG, Julien was interested in collaborating with us and his peers such as Pat Riley in attracting more young people to the international business community here in Philadelphia. Julien is working, and hopes to continue to “work creatively with the YPG to help form and steer programs that really provide added value for young professionals throughout the City.”
Julien is looking forward to meeting other young professionals who are “enthusiastic about progressing their careers and strengthening ties between Philadelphia and the UK.” He expressed his appreciation for the BABC in assisting in the connections he’s already made as a member through Aberdeen and as a leader of the YPG. Julien hopes to see the YPG grow to become one of the preeminent professional groups for the younger demographic in Philadelphia. He wants the BABC and YPG to be the first thought that pops into people’s heads when they think of Brit-US business ties.
Julien raved about the great programs between the BABC and YPG which attract business leaders here in Philadelphia and across the pond in the UK. The programs allow participants to exchange ideas and dialogue in many different types of settings whether it is a movie night complete with networking at The Trestle Inn or an event held at Jack Wills on Walnut Street. Julien hopes to attract more people to the YPG – “it’s a great way to expand your network, meet influential business leaders from the US, UK, and globally, and get valuable insight into issues affecting the wider business community.”
As young professionals, Pat and Julien advocate for both young people and for the companies they represent. As YPG Co-Leaders, they have taken on roles that will not only provide them with a foot up in the business world but will provide those around them with helpful services and connections when it comes to doing business in Philadelphia.
The BABC Day of Service program on Martin Luther King Day (January 19, 2015) in conjunction with buildOn, is fast-approaching and Pat and Julien are both volunteering. Though the event is still in the works, Pat expressed his interest in giving public school students the benefits they deserve and the necessities to possibly become young professionals themselves. Like Pat, Julien is excited to work with the community on our upcoming Day of Service event. Julien thinks we can significantly give back to the Philadelphia public school system through this day-long hands on project.
With its inception being only two years ago, the BABC YPG has made remarkable moves in the Philadelphia business community. From hosting annual events to giving its members the opportunities necessary to expand professionally, the YPG continues to grow and provide what the next generation of business leaders need to boost their presence in the international corporate scene.
Please click here for more information about our Day of Service partnering with buildOn.
