Generation Next inspires young professionals to be service-minded leaders

The Chamber's Generation Next program wrapped up its 2025 cohort on May 28, with a group of 24 participants. 

"Generation Next is helping me become more involved in the community, to find out what the Quad Cities has to offer, and to network with other leaders in the area," said Schaune Hannibal, of MidAmerican Energy Company. The cohort, which met once a month, February through May, provided workshops, panel discussions, networking opportunities and more to help empower rising professionals to get involved with volunteerism, including board and community service.

Alyssa Streets, Upper Iowa University, agreed that volunteerism was a goal for her as a young professional. "You know, we're the new adults. My boss and I both thought Generation Next was a good opportunity to learn about how to volunteer and serve on different boards in the Quad Cities." Her takeaway from the experience was realizing the sheer number of volunteer opportunities that are right here in the QC. "There are so many nonprofit organizations that I didn't know existed, and that align with things I care about," she said. "It's usually pretty easy to get involved, so now it's just taking that first step."

The cohort's agenda on this last day was, "Get Involved," which included action planning for participants' next steps on their volunteer journey. They heard from speakers from Junior Achievement of the Heartland, United Way of the Quad Cities, Tapestry Farms and the Quad City Health Initiative. They also participated in a powerful activity called the "Poverty Simulator," presented by Carolyn O'Connor of Heritage Church. 

Tyler Kinney, of Augustana College, said that after being away from the QC for seven years and being involved in local politics and nonprofit work in Chicago, he was interested in learning more about local volunteer organizations. He said he would recommend Generation Next to others. "I think it's a great opportunity to learn some things about yourself, some strengths and ways to apply those strengths in your own community. It's really important, especially now, to come together and try to make the world a better place. We're a society that seems to grow more isolated from each other, so it's more important than ever to collaborate."

Rhianna Lightle of Lane & Waterman graduated from law school last May, and said the cohort was not only about the exposure to the many volunteer opportunities, but also a way to meet other like-minded professionals in the area. "This was a well-versed group of people from within the community. That's been a highlight of the program for me - the interpersonal relationships," she said. 

Cohort participants

• Emma Anderson, Quartet Senior Living
• Sarah Ballard, The Planning Center
• Bre Bicksler, The Family Credit Union
• Samantha  Breackenridge, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union
• Emily Cummings , Birth to Five Illinois
• Natalie Fritz, Russell
• Emily Gritton, Kimball & Beecher Family Dentistry
• Schaune Hannibal, MidAmerican Energy
• Wendy Kelley, Augustana College
• Tyler Kinney, Augustana College
• Nick Kjera, Klingner 
• Rhianna Lightle, Lane and Waterman LLP
• Bailey McDevitt, Eastern Iowa Community Colleges
• Brittany Mekley, The Vault Med Spa + Body Sculpting
• Tšooane Molapo, Augustana College
• Taylor Quick, Twin State Technical Services
• Cori Regenold, Easter Iowa Community Colleges 
• Lynn Rider, University of Iowa Center for Advancement
• Sarabeth Seago, IH Mississippi Valley Credit Union
• Callie Stark, The HON Company
• Alyssa Streets, Upper Iowa University
• Tracy Trenkamp, Honkamp PC
• Amanda Tumbarello, Augustana College
• Mary Kay VanDeVelde, Buckrop & VanDeVelde, PC

Other organizations that did presentations throughout the cohort included:

• Alderpersons from Davenport and Moline
• Argrow's House
• City of Davenport Civil Service Commission
• Community Home Partners
• Humility Homes
• Iman Consulting
• LeadHer
• Mercado on Fifth
• NEST Cafe
• QC Passports
• Quad City Community Foundation
• Real Estate Brokerage
• Ruhl & Ruhl
• STEAM on Wheels
• Superintendents from Bettendorf & Davenport Schools 
• Two Rivers YMCA

The next cohort will begin in February 2026, with registration open this fall. Each cohort is limited to 40 individuals and meets once per month for 4 months. The cost of the program is $150 for Chamber members and $200 for non-members.