The Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce’s Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) introduces you to our “Young Professional of the Month,” Christina Phillips. Each month the CYPN Steering Committee recommends a young professional in the community it thinks readers would enjoy getting to know better.
How old are you? 26
Where do you live? In Concord, near White Park and UNH Law School.
Where do you currently work? I am a producer for “The Exchange,” on New Hampshire Public Radio, a live local, hour-long news call-in program about the biggest issues and stories in the state.
What’s your favorite part of your work day? I love the time I spend pulling shows together for the upcoming weeks, because I get to talk to people from all over New Hampshire about the issues they care about. For example, we recently had a show with four teachers from around the state, and I got to speak with them, and many others, about what they were thinking about before the new school year started. We also did a show about craft beer, and the craft brewers in New Hampshire are awesome!
Where did you go to school? I went to Furman University, in Greenville, S.C., for undergrad, where I studied biology. Then, I went to the University of South Carolina, Columbia, where I got an MFA in creative nonfiction writing.
What do you like to do for fun? I love to run, and try to go to running groups in Concord when I can. I also love pub trivia, and doing puzzles at Gibson’s on weekends.
Favorite places to be? In the grass on a cool day, stretched out like a lizard to get some sun.
Last book you’ve read? I reread The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls for the hundredth time because the new movie just came out. It is my favorite memoir, and the book that inspired me to go to school for nonfiction writing. It gives me motivation to work on my own stories.
How did you find out about CYPN and how has it benefited your business or you personally? I found out about CYPN shortly after I moved to Concord in July of last year thanks to Angie Lane, who was working at NHPR at the time. She made me feel welcome in Concord immediately.
What organizations are you involved with? I have attended some meetings for ABLE NH; my sister has an intellectual disability, and I want to be more involved in that community. Recently, though, I’ve been spending a lot of time with my family. This is the first time in more than seven years that we live within 900 miles of each other.
Who is your greatest role model? My mother. She became a pilot before she got her driver’s license, paid her way through college at UNH by working at a local airport, was one of the first female pilots at a private airline in Vermont, and later got a degree in physical therapy because she wanted to help children with disabilities like my sister. She is about to finish her MA in science writing from Johns Hopkins (which she got while working full time, and dealing with a chronic illness), but more important than all of that, she’s an incredible mother and friend, and the toughest person I know.
What’s your favorite restaurant in Concord? I just went to Revival for the first time, and it was incredible. I also love Vibes for their burgers and phenomenal sweet potato fries, and Hermanos nachos cannot be beat.
What’s your favorite place to go in Concord? I recently discovered the docks and trails at St. Paul’s School, and I love to run near the N.H. Audubon. I also love the walk from my house to downtown, because I do it all the time, and even though I don’t know everyone who lives on the route, it still feels like my neighborhood.
Favorite movie of all time? Pan’s Labyrinth by Guillermo del Toro.
What is one of your life goals? Do an Ironman triathlon. Also, pay off my student loans. I will probably do the second before even thinking about the first.
What has been your favorite CYPN event so far? Downstairs at The Barley House, which was great because I didn’t know that space existed, despite having been there at least 10 times. It was also a great space to meet a lot of people.
If you could visit any country, where would you go? Belize. I am not a fan of caves, and have a fear of drowning, so I figure the best place to get over that fear is in the country with the world’s best scuba diving and underwater caves.
Where is the best place you’ve visited? I spent a month backpacking in Spain along the Camino de Santiago. We walked through two or three small towns a day and stayed in a different town every night. I had the opportunity to talk to people from all over the world as we walked together.
Who would you really like to meet? Jessica Chastain. I have yet to see a movie where I’m not blown away by her, and she strikes me as incredibly poised and thoughtful.
Tell us a few interesting facts about yourself! I used to be on a competitive jump roping team when I was a kid, and I still have the bag of jump ropes in my house that fit me when I was six years old. I decided to ride horses after my sister started taking lessons, and rode for 10 years and worked in barns cleaning stalls and exercising horses to pay for my training. I do not like cheesecake.
About CYPN: The Concord Young Professionals Network (CYPN) is a professional and personal development initiative of the Greater Concord Chamber of Commerce. CYPN is a vibrant program that has grown to 1,700 members and promotes networking opportunities for young professionals (generally 22-40s) by helping them make connections in the community and providing them with a professional, welcoming setting. Complimentary networking events are held on the third Wednesday of every month at various Concord venues. CYPN also offers enrichment events and a monthly Lunch & Learn Series in collaboration with the Concord Chamber on the first Thursday of each month. For more information, connect with us on Facebook at facebook.com/concordypn, Instagram at instagram.com/cypn and Twitter at twitter.com/ConcordYP. Or email events@concordnhchamber.com to sign up for our eblasts.
