This story is part of our July 2026 Young Professionals issue. To read the print version, click here.

We all remember the kids’ table at big family gatherings, tucked just enough away from the adults that we could cause a little mischief while they had their “important conversations.” Which, let’s be honest, usually involved generous pours of wine and heated political debates.

Back then, the kids’ table had its charm. It was where we could collaborate with our peers, letting over-the-top ideas run wild without adults jumping in. From figuring out how to build the best bedroom fort to debating who would lead the tasks within the building process, we were all destined to be project managers.

But we’re not kids anymore. We’ve graduated from that table.

Our dreams and ideas now include strategy and stakeholder engagement. We built our careers in chaos, and it wasn’t always easy, but it taught us how to adapt, solve problems in real time and thrive without a playbook.

And yet, in many organizations, young professionals are still treated as future contributors rather than current ones — in other words, they still sit at the kids’ table.

As a young professional, there have been several times when my title, junior to my colleagues, has relegated me to the “kids’ table.” In today’s professional world, that translates to being looped in at the last minute only to execute, not support strategy or vision from the beginning.

— Metro EDGE Leadership Council member, age 30

Young doesn’t have to mean inexperienced

Young professionals in 2026 have never had the luxury of a slow-moving, predictable career path. We’ve had to adapt quickly, learn in real time and navigate complexity without a roadmap (cue: COVID-19, civic unrest, the rise of AI, energy and climate crises, polarizing political landscapes, et cetera).

We’ve built our careers in an environment where change is the norm, so we’ve embraced uncertainty, adopted creative solutions, and learned to pivot and demand our stake in the world.

We’re not just aware of where the world is heading; we’re living it.

In workplaces where multiple generations work side by side, young professionals are often at the intersection — fluent in emerging technologies, attuned to evolving workforce expectations and ready to anticipate the next new thing. We’re able to couple institutional knowledge with fresh perspective.

And that’s what we call relevance.

Leaders have a responsibility

I once had a leader who saw me as a colleague and peer before I fully saw myself that way. She invited me into meetings with decision-makers, opportunities that extended beyond my role’s formal responsibilities. Her goal was for me to gain visibility with our leaders. She wanted leaders across the organization to know me as part of the team, trust my perspective and value my recommendations.

— healthcare professional, age 30

Many of us can point to someone who did the same for us: a leader who saw potential before we fully saw it ourselves, invited us into conversations, asked for our perspective and gave us opportunities beyond the boundaries of our job description.

Too often, young professionals spend their energy questioning whether they’ve earned their place rather than contributing to the conversation. And too often, leaders wait for emerging voices to “speak up when they’re ready,” not realizing that confidence rarely develops in silence. It grows in environments where contribution is expected, welcomed and valued — and leaders have the responsibility to create those environments.

Great leaders understand that leadership requires making room for new voices. When leaders make space for young professionals to contribute, organizations become stronger, more innovative and better prepared for what’s next.

Leadership development shouldn’t happen once someone is ready. It’s how people become ready to lead.

That means extending opportunities before every credential has been collected and inviting emerging leaders into meaningful conversations. Being approachable and willing to teach. Creating space for young professionals to speak up — we may make mistakes, but we want to do our best and learn. And encouraging young professionals to build their networks through industry and extracurricular activities.

Young professionals shouldn’t wait in the wings

It’s not only on organizations to create opportunities for young leaders. Young professionals also need the courage to step up and seize them. Whether it’s speaking up in a meeting (better yet, clarifying a decision in a meeting), or volunteering for a project others avoid, leadership often begins with a willingness to raise your hand.

That means showing up prepared. Doing our homework. Taking smart risks and speaking up when the opportunity arises. Growth doesn’t happen quietly in the corner, and credibility is earned through consistency, curiosity and follow-through.

Beth Whited, the first female president of Union Pacific Railroad, once said, “If you’re at the table and you have something smart and relevant to contribute, speak up.”

As young leaders, if you’re invited to sit at the table, use that invitation to its fullest. Speak up, show up and be present.

Still stuck? There are resources in the Capital Region built specifically for this situation. Metro EDGE, a program of the Sacramento Metro Chamber Foundation, gives young professionals a test ground, a table to lead, and a community to learn new skills and hone their craft. We don’t grow as leaders in silos.

Let’s build a bigger table

As young professionals, we’re not about waiting for our turn (we’re the reason TikToks and Reels are under 60 seconds). We are leaders. We manage teams, launch businesses and side hustles, shape policy, lead volunteer groups and invest in the communities we call home.

As present (and future) leaders, we need to own our responsibility to help build the bigger table.

Because the best outcomes for organizations, industries and communities happen when generations lead together.

Katie Durham (a Comstock’s 2026 Young Professional) and Nancy Eldred are communications strategists by day, community builders by night, and co-chairs of the Metro EDGE Leadership Council.

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