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Local professional women have a newly-formed organization open to them. The Twin Forks Professional Women’s Circle invites women to come see what the group is all about at its next meeting on June 11 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at the M&T Bank, 1430 Old Country Road in Riverhead.

According to Kelli Lanino, the organization’s vice president, a combination of networking, seminars, support and mentoring will make the group both functional and beneficial to its members and women considering pursuing a professional field.

One of the goals of the group is to mentor younger women, or those thinking about changing careers by helping them understand what’s really involved in a new line of work “before they spend four years of college and then discover their chosen field isn’t really what they’d thought it would be.” Lanino, a financial advisor, says only 15 percent of financial advisors nationwide are women. She’s in a position to help women learn the nitty-gritty details of working in a field dominated by men.

Other members will share details of their occupations that you often don’t learn in a classroom setting, said Lanino. She’s spoken to a newly certified CPA who was never taught how to fill out and file a tax return as a college student. “That’s such a basic skill and this women was surprised it would be a major part of her workload” — a mentor in Twin Forks Professional Women’s Circle would have helped her enormously explained Lanino.

The first two meetings of the group allowed women who showed an interest in joining to network, get know each other a little better and brainstorm some topics of interest they’d like the group to explore more. Right now the group is small and wants to expand and gain 501 (c) 3 status.

Currently the officers include Ana Stuckart, a banker, as president, Lanino as vice-president and Jani Rothber, a CPA who serves as treasurer. The group hopes to attract new members and someone willing to join its board as secretary at the meeting..

Lanino says although “our topics are based on women’s issues, this group is open to all and aims to foster a diverse and inclusive environment for professionals who are looking to enhance their networking opportunities.”

Light refreshments will be served at the meeting. Click here by June 3 to RSVP.

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April is a writer, reporter and copy editor for the LOCAL news websites. She is a retired educator and proud grandma. April lives in Calverton. Email April