Leading future leaders

MT PLEASANT — Henry County Leadership program produced another graduating class of diverse leaders.

On Wednesday, May 11 thirteen participants accepted certificates of completion presented by the Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce and the Henry County Iowa State Extension office.

County leadership programs usually focus on members of the community becoming more familiar with businesses and history of the area.

The Henry County program, however, has evolved over time including the addition of more intentional leadership skills building per the request of previous participants.

They now begin their monthly meetings with a time of leadership skill building curriculum provided through the Henry County Iowa State Extension Office.

This curriculum teaches participants how to work in a group to address community challenges and opportunities, create professional solutions, and actually implement these plans.

According to Mt. Pleasant Area Chamber of Commerce, “As a skills-building program, Henry County Leadership aims to identify and motivate emerging community leaders; provide an educational experience with a strong emphasis on both leadership skills and community awareness; and challenge participants to apply their talents within their community while providing an opportunity to become involved.”

While leadership class has wrapped for 2022, the Chamber will begin advertising for interested community members to apply beginning in September.

The 2022 Leadership Class graduates include: Cornerstone Building Brands' Joel Baker, Iowa Wesleyan University’s Eric Booth and Nikki Gerling, Midwest Old Threshers’ Grant Davidson, Southeast Iowa Union’s Holly Frary, KILJ’s Allison Jacobs, 5 Star Community Credit Union’s Samantha Koontz, Community 1st Credit Union’s Makayla Kruse, Mt. Pleasant Middle School’s Melissa Shull, Access Energy Cooperative’s Tyler Thein, Henry County Conservation Department’s Caleb Waters, Henry County Iowa State Extension Office’s Kelly Waters, and Iowa State University Extension Community and Economic Development’s Mar Weinand.

Comments: AnnaMarie.Ward@southeastiowaunion.com