Mary Megan MacGregor

Member At Large

I’m a young professional at: Greater Riverside Chambers of Commerce

I get involved in my community through the following organization(s): Serving as a Board Member for Pick, Advisor for Alpha Delta Pi Sorority at UCR, Scholarship reader for University of California Education Abroad Program

I am a happy resident in the City of: Riverside 

My career goals are to: See where life takes me but to always try something that challenges me. Eventually I would like to go back to school to earn my Masters and PhD. 

My professional motto is: Never lose your curiosity or desire to learn. 

My advice to other YoPros is: Understand that trying new things or meeting new people will always be uncomfortable at first but do it anyways because it will bring you opportunities or experiences you may not have come upon otherwise. 

I joined PICK because: I wished that I had more support and direction for my career right after college and Pick is such a great way to meet young professionals that are in similar stages in their careers and engage with trailblazing individuals in our community. The conversations and interactions that are possible through Pick can really drive professional and educational achievement while getting support from individuals that have been in your shoes before. It provides me with the chance to be the support for others that I wish I had after I graduated. Pick has also shown that despite feeling like I have a lot of work to go to feel like I’ve really succeeded that I still have so much to offer to my community where I’m at. 

PICK is awesome because: It’s so incredibly welcoming to those who are looking to build their network and get more engaged. The people that I met at Pick events and during the board development training program demonstrated how dedicated they are to providing resources to young professionals to help them succeed and that drive is infectious. 

I maximize my PICK membership by: Attending Pick Power Hours whenever I can to hear how others in our community have made their way. 

The issues in Riverside that I care about most are: establishing a quality of life and cost of living that encourage people to see this region as the place to build their lives and their futures.

We’re fortunate to have numerous institutions for education and trades, and I would love to see a cohesive network that connects our K–12 schools with local universities and workforce partners. By strengthening these relationships, we can better support students in developing their careers and provide them with real exposure to experiences and jobs that inspire them to stay in Riverside.

We must also continue to grow our infrastructure and housing to accommodate our rapidly increasing population. Equally important is ensuring a diverse range of housing options, especially those that give young professionals the opportunity to become homeowners.

None of this can be accomplished in isolation. Our best chance for success lies in working together across all sectors: public, private, nonprofit, educational, and community service.

The Riverside I see today is not the same city my family moved to 21 years ago. It has changed immensely, and it continues to hold incredible potential. The people who make up Riverside have a drive and passion that showcase how wonderful our community is and can be. That pride in where we live is something truly special.

I joined Pick because I wanted to be part of the change that fosters that pride in every resident and demonstrates it to everyone who visits. I want to live in a community that constantly strives to do better, continues to grow, and, when we fall short, takes the time to learn, improve, and build a stronger path forward for everyone who calls Riverside home.