Empowering Young Professionals to step into advocacy
The Partnership
April 14, 2025
Blog Categories
How does business advocacy actually work? And why should young professionals take interest?
Those were the driving questions behind Be The Change, a high-energy informational event hosted by the Buffalo Niagara Partnership for their Young Professional (YP) members. Held at The Establishment, this members-only session gave attendees a behind-the-scenes look at how business advocacy can shape the regional economy, and how they can play a role as emerging leaders in the Buffalo Niagara community.
A crash course in advocacy
Josh Veronica, the BNP’s Director of Government Affairs, led the session that was a lesson in advocacy basics and a candid conversation about the realities of advocacy. Josh was able to peel back the curtain on the structures of local, state, and federal government, who makes decisions, and how those decisions ripple through Buffalo Niagara business landscape.
Attendees dove into:
- The role of business advocacy in protecting and growing our regional economy
- The top issues facing local employers, from workforce development to regulatory burdens
- Tangible ways to get involved with policy conversations
Once the information was shared, attendees were ready and asked questions, challenged ideas, and explored the role they could play in shaping a stronger more inclusive economy. The discussion was passionate, interactive, and driven by a genuine curiosity about how policy meets real-world business.
Why it matters for young professionals
Advocacy might not be the first thing that comes to mind for those early in their careers, but these young professionals expressed genuine enthusiasm for it—and highlighted the need for more events like this.
As Josh emphasized, “Policy decisions can create or crush the conditions needed for economic growth. Therefore, rising business leaders must understand the relationship between business and government. This event helped young professionals learn how to engage in the policymaking process, and how the BNP can amplify their voice.”
Want to be a part of more events like this?
Through exclusive programs like this one, YP members gain access to conversations that matter. It’s not just about networking. It’s about developing the knowledge, confidence, and connections to lead.
If you’re 21-40 years old and looking to grow your career while staying informed, the BNP Young Professionals membership is for you.
Because being the change starts with being in the room.
Related Posts
8.10.21 Advocacy Alert: Senate Passes Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
This morning, the U.S. Senate passed a bipartisan infrastructure bill that will spend $1.2 trillion in total, including $550 billion in new spending.
The bill passed 69-30, with all Democrats and 19 Republicans voting in favor.
8.4.21 Advocacy Alert: Biden Reverses Course, Extends Eviction Moratorium
On Tuesday night, the Biden administration issued a new eviction moratorium – a complete reversal from the President’s assertion this weekend that he lacked the authority to do so.
The new moratorium is in effect through October 3, going beyond New York State’s August 31 deadline. It extends the terms of the original moratorium: tenants cannot be evicted for nonpayment of rent.
BNP Advocacy Insider – August 2021
The August 2021 Advocacy Insider is a roundup of important issues we are monitoring that could you and your business.
8.2.21 Advocacy Alert: CDC Eviction Moratorium Expires; NY’s Still in Effect
With no action taken by Congress or the CDC, the federal eviction moratorium expired July 31.
The expiration will not impact New York until September. Earlier this year, the State Legislature passed S.6362/A.7175, a bill to extend the state’s eviction moratorium through August 31.