Turning a college degree into a successful career takes more than technical knowledge. Emerging Leaders of Irvine, a new year-long Greater Irvine Chamber program, will give recent graduates and early-career professionals practical guidance, professional connections, and a peer network to help them navigate the critical first years of their careers.
Designed to pick up where campus career resources leave off, Emerging Leaders of Irvine will connect participants directly with seasoned professionals and employers throughout Irvine—Orange County’s largest business community. Monthly working sessions will explore the unwritten rules of the workplace—the practical skills, expectations, relationships, and professional judgment often learned only through experience.
Sessions will be shaped by what early-career professionals say they need, providing a place to ask candid questions, gain insights from experienced professionals, strengthen skills and confidence, and build relationships that can open doors to future opportunities. Participants will also develop a peer community of professionals at a similar career stage, creating a support network they can draw upon as their careers develop.
The program is open to recent college graduates within the first five years of their careers who have an interest in working in Irvine. Participants may be searching for their first professional role, navigating the early years of employment, or determining their next career move. All majors and industries are welcome, and participants do not need to be currently employed in Irvine to apply.
Kevin Johnson
The inaugural cohort will be limited to approximately 25 participants, creating an environment for meaningful conversation, individual engagement, and relationship-building. Participants will meet in person at the Greater Irvine Chamber for monthly, one-hour sessions with Kevin Johnson, family law mediator, managing partner of Beacon Services Group, formerly an HR executive and chief human resources officer with more than 20 years of experience, and founding member of the program; and Denise Cardenas, Greater Irvine Chamber Senior Manager, Member Engagement and program facilitator. Additional professionals and employers connected to the Greater Irvine Chamber will share perspectives and insights throughout the year, further connecting participants to Irvine’s business community.
Emerging Leaders of Irvine will launch in January 2027. Applications will be accepted through Nov. 6, 2026, or until the inaugural cohort is filled. The participation fee for the full year-long program is $100 per individual.
Apply online!
[Application link to be added]
For more information, contact programs@irvinechamber.com.
