The Greater Oro Valley Chamber of Commerce is giving the town’s Gen Z professionals a dedicated space to network, connect, and grow

The chamber’s Gen Z Committee was created to meet the unique needs of young professionals in a business community largely dominated by older generations. It was started by Makenna Markley, the chamber’s events and communications director, and held its first meeting on May 29th at Stacks Book Club. 

“It was definitely intimidating coming into the chamber and going to networking events, not seeing anybody my age around me,” said Markley. “The closest to my age was mid-to-late 30s, and I realized it was a passion of mine to get more people my age at our events.”

Though Tucson offers other networking opportunities, such as Tucson Young Professionals, Markley noted that those events “cater more toward the millennial age range (and older) — 30s and 40s, sometimes even people in their 50s.”

“I wanted a space that felt specific to Gen Z,” she said.

When Markley suggested the idea to the chamber’s higher-ups, she was quickly given the green light. She wasn’t sure what kind of response she’d get from the community, but the attendance at the committee’s first event took her by surprise.

 “We packed the house with 30 people,” she said. “I was expecting maybe five, if I was lucky.”

The format of the meetings has evolved to focus on both professional and personal development. Each meeting, a different member delivers a 10-minute presentation on a topic of their choice to allow them to practice and receive feedback.

The group also features a 15-minute presentation from a business or educational speaker and plenty of time for open discussion and networking.

“I want these events to be meaningful,” Markley explained. “It’s a time commitment, and for some people, it’s their free time, so I want to make sure it’s worth their while.”

Markley’s broader vision is to integrate Gen Z professionals into the larger business community. 

“At our networking events, you’re getting to know the owners and decision-makers,” she said. “We want to make those relationships accessible to everyone, even if you’re just starting out and don’t have a fancy title.”

She also hopes the group will help shift perceptions of Gen Z in the workforce.

“There’s a stigma that we’re lazy or entitled,” Markley said. “But we’re hard workers with good ideas. I want to help break that stereotype.”

To further support members, the group has launched a Gen Z-specific newsletter that includes job opportunities.

“It’s so hard to find a good job these days,” Markley said. “I’ve started adding job openings from our members and telling people to use me as a reference if they need help getting their foot in the door.”

As the Gen Z Networking Group continues to grow, Markley is optimistic about its future.

“This isn’t about special treatment — it’s about creating a space that didn’t exist before,” she said. “We want people to feel comfortable, supported, and empowered as they navigate their careers.”

The committee’s next meeting is on November 13th from 5-6 p.m. at the Oro Valley Country Club. Registration is free and those interested can sign up using the chamber’s website.

Lauryn Abozeid is a journalism major at the University of Arizona and Tucson Spotlight intern. Contact her at labozeid@arizona.edu.