Young Professionals Association

Young Professionals Association

The Young Professionals Association (YPA) is a self-driven group of young professionals dedicated to the Wily Network. They use their time, talent, and resources to support and raise awareness of Wily’s mission, increase the organization’s network and funding and provide professional development opportunities for Scholars & Association Members.

The Young Professionals Association (YPA) is a self-driven group of young professionals dedicated to the Wily Network. They use their time, talent, and resources to support and raise awareness of Wily’s mission, increase the organization’s network and funding and provide professional development opportunities for Scholars & Association Members.

The YPA hosts a virtual cooking class fundraiser
A YPA member staffing a table at the 2022 Career Fair poses with Mike, Wily's Major Gifts Manager
The YPA makes holiday cards for Wily Scholar alums

Established in the Spring of 2020, Wily’s YPA is a new and growing aspect of the organization. We focus our work on three committees:

  • Membership – oversee recruitment, cultivate existing membership, and create and maintain a diverse membership base.
  • Advancement – support Wily’s fundraising and awareness-building goals by planning and executing accessible events and campaigns.
  • Career Connections – provide networking and professional development opportunities for Wily Scholars, and facilitate connections across the YPA, Wily Scholar alumni, and Boston’s young professional community.

Email laura@thewilynetwork.org with questions & for more info.

YPA members attend the 2021 Annual Meeting of the Board, where founding members Mike and Taylor were honored
A YPA member helps a student with his resume at the 2022 Career Faiir
YPA members at a networking event and fundraiser in Boston

Make a Gift to Help Wily Serve More Scholars

Young Professionals Association – Leadership Team
Laura Broffman The Wily Network

Laura Broffman
Staff Representative
she/her

Laura received a BA in Sociology and Environmental Studies from Brandeis University. Her love for social justice and the environment led her to Better Future Project, where she worked on a team of climate organizers and gained valuable non-profit experience. Laura was drawn to Wily because of their work to help students reach their goals despite the systemic barriers, and the organization’s focus on mental health during college. She is excited by organizing and implementing change, and loves helping Wily continue to grow. When she’s not working, Laura loves cooking and eating with loved ones, spending time in nature, and practicing yoga.

Laura joined Wily in 2019.

James Carroll
YPA Co-chair
he/him

James is Senior Manager of Data Quality at Navi, a wireless telecommunications marketplace. He has lived in Boston since early 2018. After graduating from Colgate University with a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies, he completed a tour of Peace Corps service in Uganda from 2015-2017. During his tour, James consulted with farmers on climate change adaptation and personal finance. James is honored to dedicate his time and expertise to supporting Wily Scholars and growing the Young Professionals Association.

James joined the YPA in 2020.

Carly Euler
YPA Co-chair
she/her

Carly is proud to co-chair the Wily Network’s Young Professionals Association. She is a development professional in the nonprofit industry, currently working as the Special Events Coordinator at the Breast Cancer Coalition of Rochester. She has previously held positions at the Code of Support Foundation, Kenya Lacrosse Association, and the BOMA Project, where she has specialized in marketing, communications, engagement and fundraising events. 

Originally from Upstate New York, Carly received her BA from St. Lawrence University in 2014, with a double major in Government and Environmental Studies, as well as a minor in African Studies. She then continued her education at Gannon University, where she received her MBA in 2017 while working as the Assistant Coach for the Women’s Lacrosse team. Carly currently lives in Rochester, New York with her husband and her rescue dog, Sadie. 

Sara Miller-Blanc The Wily Network

Sara Miller Blanc
Board Representative
she/her

Sara is an Enterprise Account Executive at Drift, the first conversational marketing platform, and a founding member of the Wily Network Board of Directors. She has worked to provide opportunities to underserved students in Greater Boston for the past 10 years. Sara graduated from Tufts University in 2012 with a political science degree, focusing on education policy. During college, she spent nine months studying in Washington, D.C., interning at the Department of Housing and Urban Development and working on political campaigns and policy writing, experiences that furthered her interest in policy relating to underserved communities. Sara is invested in the success of young people and the systemic supports needed to make success a reality. Immediately after graduation, Sara served two years volunteering full-time in Boston Public Schools with City Year Boston, an AmeriCorps program that aims to stem the high school dropout crisis by providing attendance, coursework, and social-emotional coaching to students. Her time serving in a 7th-grade classroom in Dorchester, Massachusetts, and her three years as a volunteer Big Sister illuminated for her the vast differences in resources and support that low-income students and communities receive compared to those in areas of greater wealth, as well as the different needs of students in these circumstances. She is a member of the Leadership Committee for City Year Boston’s Ambassador Circle and a volunteer Big Sister for Jewish Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Leo Young
Career Connections Committee Chair
he/him

Leo graduated from The College of New Jersey with a BS in Finance, worked in sustainable energy at Tesla and Sunrun, and is now working in real estate as a realtor at Compass. His life’s commitment is to positively impact the lives of a billion people. Leo likes working with Wily because of the program’s high impact; he believes that supporting young people in the development of crucial skills can change the trajectories of their lives. When he’s not working, Leo loves to do investment research, read books or listen to insightful videos, and keep healthy through running/weightlifting.

We’d love to hear from you.

Founders 

Thank you to our founding co-chairs Taylor Capuano and Mike Virginio, as well as our founding leaders Sarah Miller Blanc, Laura Broffman, Austin Crouse and Liz Stanfield. You transformed the YPA from an idea to a group of driven young professionals who work to amplify Wily’s message. We are so grateful for your dedicated work. You will always be a part of the Wily Pack.

Taylor Capuano The Wily Network

I have been blown away by Wily’s impact over the last few years, so I’ve loved getting to bring my friends & colleagues into “the pack” as YPA members, leaders, and donors. Once people learn about the need, and how easy it can be to make a measurable impact, it’s a no-brainer to get involved.

Taylor Capuano, YPA Founding Co-Chair
Mike Virginio The Wily Network

What I’ve enjoyed most about being involved in the Young Professionals Association is seeing it grow, and the energy that the group brings. It started out as a group of six, and as of 2021 it is now about twenty active members and growing!

Mike Virginio, YPA Founding Co-Chair