Young Professionals of the Chesapeake Mentorship Program

Now in its eleventh year, the Young Professionals of the Chesapeake (YPC) Mentorship Program enables young professionals working in the environmental field to achieve their career and professional development goals. This program is designed to provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to increase retention among young leaders in the region.

YPC also provides mentorship and customized trainings to young professionals seeking to excel in their careers and strengthens the leadership abilities of our mentors. Participating in this unique partnership fosters better relationships among clean water partners and helps cultivate a network of diverse leaders to sustain our movement for clean water in the Chesapeake Bay region.

Applications Are Now Open for YPC’s 2027 Cohort!

Running from January to December 2027, we are looking for both mentors and mentees and welcome individuals regardless of if they are with a Coalition member organization. Apply by Monday, November 23, 2026, at 5:00 p.m. and join the 2027 cohort!

If you have any questions, contact Wuill Urvina at urvinaw@nwf.org, and please share this opportunity with your networks!

Past trainings for YPC participants have included:

• Personal Sustainability and Community Care

• Courageous (Difficult) Conversations

• Overcoming Impostor Syndrome

• Combating Microaggressions

• Creating Equity in the Workplace

• Theories of Change to Advance Equity

• Advancing Equity, Influencing without Authority

The program is among very few spaces, let alone mentorship opportunities within the Chesapeake Bay partnership, that builds support for diverse leaders within the Bay community. An annual program, YPC typically hosts a class of 40-50 professionals and has provided mentorship and training to more than 250 individuals.

Thanks to YPC’s Leading Supporters!

Choose Clean Water Coalition’s Young Professionals of the Chesapeake Alumni Directory

Check out the profiles below featuring alumni of the Coalition’s Young Professionals of the Chesapeake Program. Learn more about the YPC alumni and their reflections on their YPC experience.