Business professionals gathered for an evening of networking and philanthropy to celebrate North Austin Influencers™ (NAI) one year anniversary while raising money for future leaders in the community.
North Austin Influencers™ consists of members who exchange ideas, learn through educational workshops, and use their expertise in the different fields to enhance leadership skills. This group is for individuals to continue learning in their profession or passions through connection building, self-improvement, using strategies for success, and experience sharing. Monthly professional development programs from expert speakers have ranged in topics such as successful negotiating, profitability through diversity, handling mistakes effectively and improving leadership skills.
The group celebrated many successful achievements in their first year including: a membership of over 400 professionals; media recognition by two local publications, TODO Austin and The Austin Business Journal; and an active network on social media from NAI Google Plus Community to LinkedIn NAI Group. Speakers have ranged from founder of Social Good Summit Austin; Ruben Cantu on Work From Home Day (WFH) to take more than 10,000 cars off the street on that day; director of the Round Rock Public Library, Michelle Cervantes on Round Rock/Williamson County outreach; licensed clinical social worker and director of volunteers Sonia Kotecha on CASA of Travis County; and founder and publisher of Ujima Magazine, Damita Miller-Shanklin sharing the importance of Black History Month, which helped raise awareness on many initiatives.
Proceeds of more than $1300 from the event were raised to benefit scholarship programs at the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium and The National Black MBA Association Austin Chapter.
By eliminating traditional barriers to higher education and professional success, The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium cultivates leaders ready to meet our community’s most critical needs. What began as a small collaborative group committed to scholarship is now a synergistic organization focused on the academic, leadership, professional and philanthropic development of Central Texas youth with scholarship as a point of entry and source of ongoing support.
The National Black MBA Association Austin Chapter provides access to qualified, diverse individuals; continuous professional development; and educational, career, networking and entrepreneurial opportunities, resulting in economic development for Central Texas members, partners and the community.
Lots of gratitude goes to generous donors who supplied a wide variety of items for the silent auction. Donor companies and individuals were:
A and G Fashions, Inc. , ATX Jetskis, Andrews Skin and Laser Clinic, Austin Classical Guitar, Austin Custom Winery, Austin Steam Train, Be Inspired to Create, Blackfinn, Capitol City Comedy Club, Casa Chapala, Chay Sayaroummane , Décor & Design, Dragon Spirits Marketing, Escobar Construction, LLC, *E* by EVELYN Designs , Excelerated Living, Evis De La Rosa, Feliz Garcia handmade jewelry, Jimenez Photography, Juany Cleaning Service, Liliana Beverido, Lillie Eggleston, Mary Kay Beauty Consultant, Longhorn Steakhouse Cedar Park, Lowes, Mini Moons, Mouton’s Bistro, MUNDU Media, LLC, Mystery Machine Party, Net Visual Tours, OMG! Cheese Cake, Paradise Cosmetic Med Spa , Play Storming, Pocketshop, Power of Women, Prontowash- Austin, Rootwork , Rose Chase Smith, Mary Kay Beauty Consultant,Round Rock Express, Starbucks, Sunny Tan Airbrish Tans, Teatro Vivo, Texas Pro DJ, The Energy Factor, Tina B. Kubicek & Associates, LLC , Veronica Trevisan, Waterloo Landscape, WCAACC, Zed’s, and Zoe Comings .
