LMNOP (Leadership, Mentoring, Networking & Opportunity for A&D Professionals) is a professional networking society organized by and for those specifically within the architecture and design (A&D) community whereby members can connect, support, and mentor each other in what has become a proactive, productive and exemplary response to the current economic environment.
 
LMNOP started in early 2009 simply with a collection of e-mail addresses of a small group of recently laid off professional colleagues who all wanted to stay in touch within the industry. It has since grown into a formalized organization providing training, workshops and mentoring opportunities otherwise taken for granted when times were good.
 
"During the last economic crises many talented A+D professionals left the industry. This left a 'talent gap.' I didn't want to see history repeat itself," explains the group's founder, Jennifer C. Graham, a seasoned CID professional who lost her job in late December. Her people skills and business training have found a new use in establishing LMNOP in addition to her professional vocation and passion for project management.
 
LMNOP is composed of several different factions; Jennifer Graham heads the "Leadership Group" with co-founder Stephanie Chiuminatto who is charged with setting the vision and agenda for all group events. The core unit and reason for the group's establishment is the "Opportunity Group," made up of unemployed architects and designers ranging in experience from 2 years to 20 plus years. Employed professionals are "Networkers" who can assist other members in connecting with possible employment opportunities and provide support and encouragement as well as notify members of industry events. All members can participate in the "Mentoring Group," professionals that donate their professional expertise to the group either individually or in a workshop setting.  
 
Workshops are regularly held for Opportunity members and include topics such as "The Job Search Checklist" and "Your Personal Professional Brand." Topics are chosen based on the timeliness of the subject. Accessibility to similar workshops in professional development and leadership training may only occur in a handful of the largest architecture and design firms, and similar business workshops are not specifically tailored to the A+D community. All workshops are held as small round-table discussions at various showrooms around New York City. Because of the intimate and interactive nature of the workshops, the Opportunity Group is kept small; new members are referred in by existing members. Networking events are open to all LMNOP members and often double as fundraisers in the group's overall objective to develop into a fully-realized non-profit organization.
 
Co-founder Stephanie Chiuminatto's background in non-profit work has come full circle in her attempts to find a new position within the A&D industry. "Combining my arts marketing background with my desire to stay in the design field has given me focus during this time of personal upheaval. I am excited that the reception of LMNOP in the industry has been so positive. But I won't consider this a job well-done until all original 50 Opportunity Group members are active in LMNOP as employed Networkers and Mentors."
 
Industry professionals and business owners have greeted LMNOP with enthusiasm, donating space, food and services. Within the group, members offer their own expertise to each other – reviewing resumes, setting up LinkedIn accounts and the like as additional ways of helping each other prepare for job interviews or seek out new employment opportunities.
 
The organization's website will soon be launched under the domain www.lmnopnyc.org.