"Richmond just has a lot to offer. It is a great place to make a name for yourself." 

For college students and young professionals, starting a new job in a new city can be overwhelming. That is where Julie Bondy steps in. A native of Marietta, Ga., Bondy found a home here while attending the University of Richmond, so she knows what it's like to experience a city for the first time. As the director of YRichmond, she makes sure that other young professionals enjoy themselves and get to know other people while working in Richmond.

What exactly is the purpose of YRichmond and what do you do for the organization?

YRichmond is a program designed to help recruit and retain young millennial talent to the area. We partner with companies in the area to put together a summer program for interns and newly hired associates to show how great a place Richmond is to be for young professionals. It's about a third professional events, a third social events and a third social athletic events ... It's great for companies because they can use it as a recruitment tool and it is great for members because they can see how great Richmond is.

What is the history of YRichmond?

Having a program like YRichmond was something that a lot of people were talking about for a long time ... A lot of summer interns come to Richmond normally and while they're here we want them to have a good time ... Jim Ukrop along with the co-chairs of C3 put together a leadership team ... with recent graduates and human resources. Last summer was the first summer of the program.

What does C3 stand for?

C3 is the Creative Change Center and is the umbrella organization for YRichmond. C3 seeks to promote and be a catalyst for the creative community in Richmond.

What drew you to the Richmond originally?

I was looking for a small liberal arts school with a supportive community and nice people. I was looking for a school that had well-rounded students and students who were interested in being involved and contributing to their community and I found that at the University of Richmond.

On your Web site I also noticed that you guys do a lot of reaching out to the community.  Can you tell me about the community service projects you do?

We are doing a canned food drive as one of four parts of our corporate Olympics. We're fostering a sense of competition and really trying to help out and raise awareness to benefit Virginia Food Bank. That is our primary community service initiative.

What kind of events do you guys have to get people out and about?

We are really trying to highlight different spots and different places of Richmond. We did salsa night at Havana 59. We partnered with the Latin Ballet and had some instructors come out to the rooftop deck and had salsa lessons. We've done kickball and dodgeball tournaments as well.

How do people find out about YRichmond for the most part?

We recruit companies to participate in our program, so it is a lot of word of mouth and our steering committee is very helpful on getting contacts for us. We have 22 companies participating this summer, everyone from the bigger companies like Dominion to very small companies.

Do you have many young professionals from outside of Richmond?

The companies are the ones who do the recruiting. Last summer about 40 percent were from outside the Richmond area.

How many young professionals from Richmond participate in the program?

Last summer about 60 percent of participants were from Richmond. It's exciting to see people from Chesterfield or Midlothian or Glen Allen see Richmond through the eyes of the young professional for the first time.

What do you think is the best part about Richmond?

Richmond just has a lot to offer. It is a great place to make a name for yourself. There are more opportunities to be a big fish in a small pond and there are so many activities. It's a great city for people with diverse interests.

What are some of your favorite things about YRichmond?

One of the best things about YRichmond is that it serves three needs. It serves the needs of the greater Richmond area, it is great for the business community of Richmond and it is also great for our young professionals in town because they are able to meet other young professionals and have a great time over the summer.

What are three things you'll find in your briefcase/handbag?

My camera. I love photography. My Blackberry and my portfolio with a massive To-Do List!

What's your favorite spot in Richmond?

The gazebo on Westhampton Lake at the University of Richmond. I went there so [the University of Richmond campus] is a very special place to me.

What's the hardest lesson you had to learn (either while working for this job or another)?

That's a hard one. I think managing expectations of what can realistically get done in one day has been a challenge.

What is your motto?

Kill them with kindness. It's something that I tell myself a lot.

What do you tell newcomers to the city who seem uneasy about city life and about fitting in?

I think Richmond is a very manageable city. For someone who is not necessarily accustomed to city life, this is a manageable city to learn what an urban environment is like. I think you should be careful and conscious as in any city but I think it is an easy place to learn how to get around.

If you could change one thing about Richmond, what would it be?

There are a lot of different stereotypes of different neighborhoods in Richmond and while I appreciate the culture and the community that is fostered in each area of town, it is always exciting to see that people enjoy going to different parts of town.

What Richmond publications do you enjoy reading the most?

Richmond Magazine. I like the articles and the pictures. It makes me feel like I'm really part of the community.

Do you participate in any of the events that YRichmond holds?

I participate when I can. A lot of times it ends up being me running the logistics of the events with our great volunteers from our steering committee. I participated in Salsa Night.

What do you think that young business people think is the best part of YRichmond?

That they get to know the city really well and get to meet other young professionals.