Drew Hunt loves Savannah.
The Columbus native moved here shortly after finishing her undergraduate and MBA degrees at Georgia Southern University to take a job with large company.
“I was 22, looking at all the opportunities Savannah had to offer, and I was a little overwhelmed. I wanted to carve out a niche for myself, make the right connections to help my career and get involved in the community,” she said.
“I just didn’t know where to start.”
Hunt ended up moving back to Columbus, but it didn’t last long.
“I really missed Savannah. The city has so much to offer, I felt like maybe I had missed some opportunities,” she said. “I thought there had to be a way to sort through everything and find what would work for me.”
All of which makes her the logical choice to head up the Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce’s newest council.
Tailored to the needs of local professionals early in their careers, LaunchSAVANNAH will provide this important sector of the workforce with professional development, mentoring and networking as well as philanthropic and cultural opportunities.
“The Chamber’s mission is to preserve and bolster business in Savannah now and for the future,” said Chamber President and CEO Bill Hubbard. “We saw a need from our young professionals and conceived this council to address their concerns.
“We hope to utilize our experience and relationships so that they can understand, prepare for and engage in the economic terrain in Savannah.”
Hunt, who moved back to Savannah last fall and is now the chamber’s community relations manager, said when Hubbard asked his staff to tell him how the chamber could help young professionals, she couldn’t wait to get involved.
The new council, which will hold its initial event June 13, will serve as a resource for emerging professionals ages 22–40 by providing monthly events that offer a mix of networking opportunities and educational workshops as well as volunteer and cultural experiences.
Council members will also receive exposure to and mentorship from local business and community leaders.
The LaunchSAVANNAH mission is to establish a group that is well-rounded in its involvement, while helping ambitious young leaders reach the next steps in their careers, Hunt said.
“This segment of the workforce will be leading the community one day,” Hunt said. “With LaunchSAVANNAH, we can cultivate relationships with each other as well those from whom we will inherit this legacy of leadership.”
IF YOU GO
LaunchSAVANNAH’s premier event will be 5:30-7:30 p.m. June 13 in the North Garden at the Ships of the Sea Maritime Museum. Guests can network with colleagues and top community leaders, while enjoying appetizers, beverages and live entertainment. There is no charge for the event. The council is open to chamber members and non-members. For more information, contact Hunt at DHunt@SavannahChamber.com or 912-644-6422.
ABOUT THE CHAMBER
The Savannah Area Chamber of Commerce has a 206-year history of business leadership in Georgia, the coastal region and the Savannah/Chatham County area. The organization has more than 2,200 member companies and board members representing an array of sectors, experience and leadership. The chamber encompasses Visit Savannah, Ambassadors Council, the CEO Council, Communities in Schools, Drug-Free Workplace, Greater Savannah Sports Council, Governmental Affairs Council, Leadership Savannah, Legends of Golf, Manufacturers and Distributors Council, Military Affairs Council, Owner’s Council, Savannah Compact Education Council, Small Business Council, Trustees Council, and Tybee Island Tourism Council