My name is Alex Johanson and I am proud to serve as the Networking Director for the 2021-2022 calendar year at Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club. I would like to express my relationship and role with the club, and how I feel others can benefit from this group as well. 

I still remember my first Around Town event - held two years ago at Around the Corner in Lakewood. The former Social Director and current President, Melinda McNutt, slapped on a red name tag for me to signify this was my first event and proceeded to introduce me to everyone she knew. Fast forward two years and I am proud to not only call Melinda both a friend and colleague, but to sit alongside Melinda and the other current board members working to grow and enhance the club’s mission this term.

My career in commercial real estate, like most sales jobs, relies on relationships. I initially joined the Club to expand my professional network and link up with other like-minded individuals in the area that are focused on growing their career. I have found the Club to do just that. Like anything in life, I believe one will receive from the Club what they input. Networking is a skill that takes constant refinement and polishing - it requires practice to uphold! 

Even as a sales professional, I sometimes still need to find courage to meet with a new person, ask for a business referral or a new lead.  The 20/30 Club offers continual practice in meeting people you otherwise wouldn’t have engaged with or refining your elevator pitch to a new group of prospects.  As the Networking Director, my duties include hosting monthly Happy Hour meet ups, monthly CEO dinners with noteworthy business leaders, quarterly Ladies Who Lead panels with inspiring female business professionals and more. 

I’m often asked if the 20/30 Club has orchestrated new business for me and my sales team... the answer is "not YET". However, it has strategically positioned me with a new group of otherwise strangers and created new personal and professional relationships that I have deemed invaluable. I am continuously amazed at the team's strengths and skill sets, and I am confident I can say I am serving with a strong group of Cleveland’s future community of business leaders and I encourage you to join us. 

Thank you, 

Alex