By Meredith Gardner
meredith.gardner@theindependent.com

And when she couldn't find one, she helped the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce create one.

With the assistance of community and business leaders, such as Grand Island Public Schools Superintendent Steve Joel, as well as other young professionals, including Home Federal Bank loan officer Justin Graybill, the Young Professionals Group formally organized in 2007 and now has nearly 90 members.

For their significant contributions to the group, Graybill and Janulewicz will be named Outstanding Young Professionals during the organization's first gala event this evening.

Contryman Associates will also be recognized as the Young Professional Group's business of the year.

The awards were voted on by and awarded to Young Professional Group members. Similar awards are commonly given by young professional groups in other cities, and Grand Island's organization plans to make the recognition part of its gala event every year, said Christa Bootsma, the chamber's partnership services director.

Outstanding male and female young professionals were elected based on their participation in the Young Professionals Group, demonstration of significant career accomplishments and their ability to capture the spirit of the group.

"We feel it's important to acknowledge who some of the outstanding young professionals are in the community," Bootsma said.

Janulewicz is beginning her third year as a partner at the law firm. She is the chairwoman of the Young Professionals Group and serves as a member of both the chamber's Ambassadors group and the government affairs committee. Outside the chamber, she serves on a sub-committee for the Boys and Girls Club of Central Nebraska.

Receiving this year's female award was gratifying, Janulewicz said.

"Because of all the work in getting this organization going and I spend a lot of hours keeping it going I think for me, personally, it was validation for all the work I had done," she said.

Graybill has worked at Home Federal Bank since 2004 and is a member of the Young Professional Group's membership committee. He's also on the board of directors for Habitat for Humanity.

"I was very proud and flattered that I was chosen as the male young professional of the year," Graybill said, attributing his selection to his high level of commitment to the group and frequent participation in its activities.

Contryman Associates will be honored for its encouragement of active participation in the Young Professionals Group as well as its desire to address young professionals' issues and concerns in the workplace.

The group provides networking opportunities that are important for the accounting firm's business, said Joel Wiegand, manager of the firm's Grand Island Location. That's why Contryman supports its many young employees who take part in it.

"I think (it's) probably a good support group for the young people," Wiegand said. "They all have somewhat similar interests, problems and challenges that they deal with in their careers."

The Young Professionals Group is designed to help recruit and retain young people who may become future leaders in Grand Island. Professionals ages 21 to 35 are welcome to apply for membership, which costs $50 for chamber partners and $75 for those who do not belong to the chamber.

The membership fee helps cover the costs of the group's activities, which are held at least once a month. The organization provides many networking opportunities as well as social and business development activities, Bootsma said.

"I think it's a really great opportunity to develop friendships and meet other people," Janulewicz said. "People who have friends are more likely to stay."