The Collective - Young Professionals

06/02/2026

The years between 21 and 45 are often filled with big career moves, growing responsibilities, new opportunities, and figuring out how to balance it all along the way.

That's why The Collective exists. 💙🧡

More than a networking group, The Collective is a community of young professionals who are learning, growing, and building connections together. Through educational programming, social events, volunteer opportunities, and professional development, members gain access to a network of peers they'll work alongside and learn from for years to come.

Curious if The Collective is right for you? Join us at our Annual Ice Cream Social at Soda & Scoops on Route 66 on July 16th. This family-friendly event is open to members and non-members alike and is the perfect opportunity to meet the group in a relaxed, no-pressure environment.

Membership rates are now prorated for the remainder of 2026. We'd love to connect with you.

Website: https://collective573.com/
Phone: (573) 364-3577
Email: [email protected]

🎥Video Credit (A Collective Member): Dahu Studios

05/22/2026

📣📣📣VOLUNTEERS STILL NEEDED 📣📣📣
Maybe your office has been looking for a chance to participate in a short commitment philanthropy opportunity- Feel free to tag your boss.😎

Camp Capable leaves a lasting impact on everyone involved. If you have been looking for a way to give back and support a local cause- this opportunity is perfect.

The Community Partnership is seeking Camp Buddies to navigate the camp activities each day with their camper. These volunteers will help campers build confidence doing things they may not noramally have the opportunity to do, and cultivate positive energy throughout camp!

📲Want to sign up?
https://forms.gle/XGHzkMXbDPtQeDPr5

❓Have Questions?
The Community Partnership
Contact Jean Darnell at 573-368-2849 or by email at [email protected]

05/15/2026

Our members continue to show up, and we love seeing the momentum behind The Collective. 🧡💙

This month’s Lunch & Learn gave members the opportunity to take a deep dive into emerging tech trends, the evolution of AI, and where innovation is heading next. Dr. Baek-Young Choi of Missouri S&T brought decades of research, experience, and insight to the conversation, and we are incredibly grateful she took time out of a very busy season to share her expertise with our members.

A special thank you to Riverways Federal Credit Union for continuing to invest in young professionals through their sponsorship of this event. Thanks to their support, members enjoyed lunch at no additional cost while also hearing valuable financial insight from their team. 💚💙

Events like these are exactly why The Collective exists—to create opportunities for young professionals to connect, learn, and grow together.

May Lunch & Learn Support by: Riverways Federal Credit Union
Lunch Made By: Buckin Hot Catering LLC
2026 Collective Program Sponsor: Sherry E. Stites

🍨Next up: our annual Ice Cream Social on July 16th. We hope you’ll join us as we share what’s still ahead for The Collective in 2026.

05/14/2026

This summer☀️🩴😎, The Collective is once again proud to support Camp Capable—an adaptive day camp that gives children ages 6–12 with developmental and physical disabilities the opportunity to experience the joy, friendship, and fun that every child deserves during summer camp.

Camp Capable is looking for volunteers to serve as camper buddies, encouragers, and friendly faces during camp activities taking place June 16–18 from 1:00–3:00 PM. Whether you can volunteer for one day or all three, your time can make a lasting impact on a child’s summer.

Many of our members have supported this program over the years, and it continues to be one of the most rewarding opportunities to give back within our community.

📝Sign-Up at: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeWKnzmIHYcfAbVKG2GaImgtf7g_ljDcaIVf89eWswl0SdVoQ/viewform
📅Volunteer sign-ups are due by Tuesday, May 26.

For questions, please contact Capable Kids and Families® at 573-368-2849 or [email protected].

04/23/2026

One members say it best: "I can practice what I have learned every single day" 😎

That’s exactly what the Lunch & Learn Series is designed to do—create space for young professionals to grow, connect, and gain real value in the middle of a busy workday.

‼Our next Lunch & Learn is coming up on May 14th, where we’ll be discussing Tech Trends and AI in the Workplace—a timely topic you won’t want to miss. Lunch is free thanks to Riverways Federal Credit Union 🥪🌯🥗.

Check out the event page or the link below to read about the guest speaker, or get registered: https://business.rollachamber.org/events/details/collective-lunch-learn-volume-3-2089

Video Credit: Dahu Studios 🎥🎞️

04/02/2026

We were served up some serious communication skills at our second Lunch & Learn and our members showed up ready to engage. 🥪✏️

Today’s topic, Navigating Hard Conversations, was brought to life by Lisa Pavia-Higel, who took an all-day training and delivered it in a way that was impactful, practical, and perfect for a lunch-hour session.

We also heard from our April sponsor, Four Rivers Community Health Center, who shared more about their Foster Care Closet, The Landing—a meaningful initiative supporting those in need. Be sure to check out the flyers at the end of the photos to learn how you can get involved. 💚💙💚💙

Events like this are exactly what The Collective is all about—bringing young professionals together to learn, grow, and connect over a shared experience.

A big thank you to our members for showing up, engaging, and making these events what they are. Also a thank you to Greentree Christian Church for letting us take over their space today!!

We’ll see you at the next Lunch & Learn on May 14th, where we’ll dive into Tech Trends and AI in the workplace. Register: https://business.rollachamber.org/events/details/collective-lunch-learn-volume-3-2089

03/06/2026

⏰ Tomorrow morning one of our Collective members, Lizi Freitas - The Flooring Nook is hosting Rolla Chamber’s First Friday Coffee ☕️ there will be several of our other members in attendance.

This monthly meet up is one of the many ways this group stays connected and engaged with our local business community from their various organizations. We want to encourage everyone to grow their networks and expand their reach, especially while in their early to mid careers.

🔗 Interested in getting connected and being a part of these networking opportunities? Head over to Collective573.com and learn how, or email [email protected]

Start your month strong at First Friday Coffee!

Join us Friday, March 6 | 7:30–8:30 a.m. at The Flooring Nook, 2077 Old St. James Rd.

This is your chance to:
✨ Make meaningful connections
✨ Share what’s happening in your business
✨ Learn more about our host business

Stay for the full hour or pop in for 15 minutes, whatever works for your schedule. It’s casual, energizing, and a great way to stay engaged.

Bring your business cards and we’ll see you Friday morning!

02/27/2026

The Collective Lunch & Learn Series is designed to put young professionals in front of curated speakers over their lunch break to seek out deeper knowledge and understanding on various subjects directly related to the group's mission.

Lunch is always included for Collective Members thanks to our wonderful sponsors, like Sherry E. Stites! Only registration required to attend. Want to attend our next Lunch & Learn? Register at: https://rollachamber.org/event-directory/

Video Credit: Dahu Studios, Owner - Noah Dalton. Not only is Noah one of many of our extremely talented members, he joined The Collective's Leadership Team in 2026! His growth within the group is exactly why The Collective was created, to foster a space for emerging leaders to grow!

02/05/2026

Today’s Lunch & Learn was a full house, and for a good reason. Our members packed the room to hear from Verna Brand of Phelps County Bank, who shared valuable insights on finances and wealth management that left attendees with practical takeaways they can put to work right away.

Lessons like these are exactly why the Lunch & Learn Series is such a valuable part of Collective membership. Each session offers meaningful education, strong connections, and real-world insight, all included as part of being a member... even lunch! 😏🥪

A special thank you to Friend Real Estate for sponsoring today’s Lunch & Learn and for their continued support of young professionals in our community. We’re grateful for partners who believe in investing in growth, education, and connection. 🥰🏠

An additional thanks to Greentree Christian Church for allowing us to use their space for this wonderful educational meeting and lunch!

If today was any indication, this series is just getting started. Want to get in on the action on April 2nd.

01/21/2026

2025 | Five Under 45 Award Recipients

The Collective’s Five Under 45 Award recognizes five outstanding professionals under the age of 45 who are already making a meaningful impact through their careers, leadership, and service to our community. This distinction honors young leaders who not only excel professionally, but also invest their time, talents, and energy into strengthening the communities they serve. This year, 5 young professionals were selected to receive the honor at the Rolla Chamber 106th Annual Awards Banquet.

Each honoree was selected through a nomination process highlighting professional achievement, demonstrated leadership, and significant industry and community contributions. The depth and quality of this year’s nominations made the selection process especially meaningful, and we are continually inspired by the remarkable talent represented among our young professional community.

We extend our sincere gratitude to Riverways Federal Credit Union for sponsoring the 2025 Five Under 45 Awards and for their continued commitment to leadership development in our region.

Please join us in congratulating our 2025 Five Under 45 Award Recipients:
• Forrest Lane Brown
• Jenna Voight
• Joshua Rogers
• Kala Sisco
• Tiffany Ann Macormic

To our recipients, thank you for the impact you are making today and for setting the standard for leadership, service, and excellence. And to all those who were nominated, your dedication and contributions do not go unnoticed.

Congratulations to each of you!