🎉 Celebrating 17 Years of Impact

Since 2008, the Pick Group has been a space where young professionals in Riverside come together to engage civically, develop professionally, and connect socially.

Now, 17 years later, we’re thrilled to honor the individuals who have helped move this mission forward. Join us for an inspiring evening of live music, great food and drinks, as we toast to Riverside’s young professionals and the trailblazers creating lasting IMPACT.

✨ New This Year: We’re proud to celebrate our Board Development Training Program (BDTP) Class of 2025 at Impact — leaders who are already serving or preparing to make meaningful contributions throughout our community.

Impact 2025: A Night of Stars & Changemakers

Date & Time: Wednesday, October 8, 2025 | 6:00–8:30 PM
Location: Life Arts Center, Riverside, CA
Tickets: $50 for Members | $75 for Non-Members — Purchase here
Dress Code: Hollywood Glam or Business Professional
📸 See Photos from Past Events: https://www.pickriverside.org/impact-photo-gallery

2025 Impact Award Honorees

We’re proud to recognize the extraordinary leaders making a lasting impact on Riverside. Learn more about each honoree below.

Aaron Norris Community Impact Award

Justin Pardee – Founder & Publisher, The Raincross Gazette
Justin Pardee is the energetic founder of The Raincross Gazette, a digitally native newspaper reinventing local news to serve Riverside for the next 100 years. What started in 2021 with just 89 subscribers has grown into a thriving newsroom, delivering free, community-centered journalism to over 12,000 subscribers daily.

Pardee sits on the Economic Development Committee for both the Chamber and The Raincross Group, the Chamber's Downtown Council, and the Supervisory Committee for Altura Credit Union. He previously served on the board of The Pick Group of Young Professionals, working to address Riverside’s “brain drain” challenges.

A lifelong Riversider, Pardee lives in Victoria Woods with his wife, Lindy, their four children, and a guinea pig he deeply regrets owning.

Civic Impact Award

Philip Falcone – Riverside City Councilmember
Philip Falcone is a City Councilmember in Riverside. Prior to being elected in March 2024, he served in two mayoral administrations overseeing communications, public relations, and public works projects. In 2023, he was appointed as a County of Riverside Historical Commissioner, and he previously served on Riverside’s Cultural Heritage Board, becoming the youngest City commissioner in Riverside history at just 20 years old.

A New Orleans native, Philip relocated to Riverside in 2005 following Hurricane Katrina. He attended Riverside schools, including Riverside City College, UC Riverside, and earned a master’s degree from California Baptist University. Philip teaches communications at Riverside City College and California Baptist University, and in the graduate Public Administration program at Point Loma Nazarene University. In his free time, he is an avid researcher and writer on local history and architecture.

Business Impact Award

Andrew Flores – Founder, The ZHU Training & Movement
Andrew Flores has called Riverside home for the past 20 years. A graduate of J.W. North High School and UC Riverside, he discovered a passion for movement science, biomechanics, performance, and recovery early in life, which became the foundation of his career as a trainer.

Andrew founded The ZHU Training & Movement to go beyond fitness—he builds meaningful connections, mentors aspiring trainers, partners with local organizations, and fosters a strong sense of community. He believes that true health is achieved not only through physical wellness but also through holistic approaches that include community engagement.