Leadership Lewis
Apply now to be a part of the first Leadership Lewis Cohort!
Join your fellow community members on a journey of leadership, learning, networking, and skill-building!
What is Leadership Lewis?
Leadership Lewis is a nine-month program designed to build your knowledge, capacity, and commitment to leadership in Lewis County and the Central West Virginia region. The program begins in September 2023 with an orientation to the Leadership Lewis program, then once-per-month sessions throughout Lewis County (typically held during the second week of each month), and closes with a celebration dinner and graduation in May 2024. Sessions typically include a full day commitment and an occasional evening commitment.
By participating in Leadership Lewis, you will:
- Build your personal and professional network with other leaders in our region
- Know more about the assets, opportunities, and challenges in our community
- Prepare for leadership opportunities in our community
- Deepen your connection to Lewis County
Sessions will focus on learning more about the following industries and areas of our community:
- Energy
- Banking, finance, and housing
- Healthcare
- Tourism and hospitality
- Education and workforce
- Economic development and civic government
- Social sector
2023-24 Session Dates
- Thursday, September 14, 2023
- Wednesday, October 11, 2023
- Tuesday, November 14, 2023
- Wednesday, January 17, 2024
- Wednesday, February 14, 2024
- Thursday, March 14, 2024
- Wednesday, April 10, 2024
- Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Our Mission
The mission of Leadership Lewis is to identify, develop, and sustain community leaders. The program aims to develop and enhance personal leadership skills, provide knowledge enrichment of Lewis County and to develop and cultivate leadership involvement throughout our region.
The cultivation of new leadership is of utmost importance to our county’s and state’s future prosperity and progress. Leadership Lewis seeks to develop and motivate a cross-section of leaders who will use their talents and abilities to inspire others and to foster a new commitment of purpose, enthusiasm, and vitality throughout the county.
The Benefit to Employers
Leadership development combined with community engagement – simply put – is good for business. The Leadership Lewis program can benefit organizations of all sizes and their employees by promoting more active civic engagement, facilitating stronger business and personal networks. Businesses that support participation in Leadership Lewis are seen as workplaces invested in their community and the development of their people which drives talent recruitment as well as employee retention.
Developing Our Workforce
The Lewis County Chamber of Commerce understands the importance of recruiting, supporting, and retaining talent – particularly young talent – in our area and across West Virginia. Leadership Lewis provides the Chamber and the business community with an ability to identify talent in the Lewis County area and provide them with resources that create stronger leaders and more well-informed citizens.
Application Timeline
April 1, 2023 - Applications Open
June 2, 2023 - Application Deadline
June 2023 - Review and Selection
July 10, 2023 - Class Members Confirmed
Tuition
Leadership Lewis is affordable. Tuition is $400 for Lewis County Chamber members and $600 for Chamber non-members to participate in the program.
Become a Leadership Lewis Sponsor
Be seen as a champion of leadership and learning in the Lewis County area. Your sponsorship of Leadership Lewis positions your business as a key supporter of economic, workforce, and civic development in our region.
In return, your sponsorship will provide additional funding to the program that’s needed to defray expenses such as meals, session and event enhancements, and administrative costs. The generosity of local organizations helps to keep tuition costs low so that the Leadership Lewis program remains accessible to anyone who is interested in applying.
Showcase your business’s commitment to Lewis County. Sponsorship packages for the inaugural class of Leadership Lewis start at $500. For more information, contact the Lewis County Chamber of Commerce at (304) 269-2608 or lcinfo@lcchamber.org.
2023-24 Leadership Lewis Steering Committee
Kevin Stalnaker, Mon Health SJMH
Adam Gissy, SLS Land & Energy Development
Alissa Lambert, Simpli.fi
Chris Richards, Lewis County CVB
Jeff Jenkins, Community Care of WV
Robin Poling, Stonewall Resort
Shannon Cunningham-Snead, Central WV Community Action
Tracey Queen-Young, Citizen's Bank of Weston