Leadership Lewis Welcomes 11 Exceptional Leaders to Cohort 3

Program's third year brings enhanced focus on developing leaders who create lasting community impact

I'm thrilled to share some exciting news with you – we've selected 11 outstanding professionals for Leadership Lewis Cohort 3! I can honestly say this year's group represents some of the most promising leaders across Lewis County and Central West Virginia. They'll begin their transformative nine-month journey on September 11 at the Central West Virginia HeartHouse in Weston.

A Diverse Group Ready to Lead

What I love most about this cohort is the incredible diversity of backgrounds and experiences they bring. From healthcare and education to government and private enterprise, these leaders will learn as much from each other as they will from our curriculum:

Laura Anderson – City of Weston
Jennifer Buck – Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital
Christy Cavanaugh – Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital
Tiffany Curtis – Hope Gas
Stephenee Gandee – Steptoe & Johnson PLLC
Joni Gray – Pierpont Community and Technical College
Natasha Gum – Community Care of West Virginia
Sean Harris – Lewis County High School
Katrina Johnson – Louis Bennett Public Library
Matt Lane – Citizens Bank of Weston
Steve Moneypenny – Lewis County Government

More Than Traditional Leadership Training

Here's what makes Leadership Lewis different from other leadership programs I've seen: our participants don't just study leadership theory in a vacuum. Throughout their nine months together, they're working on real challenges facing our region – workforce development, economic diversification, healthcare access, infrastructure needs. These aren't hypothetical case studies; they're the actual issues we're grappling with right here at home.

I've watched previous cohorts tackle issues in economic development, healthcare, energy, and education. The energy and fresh perspectives they bring to these challenges consistently amazes me.

How We've Evolved the Program

After two successful cohorts, we've learned a lot about what works best for developing effective community leaders in rural areas like ours. We've refined our approach into a strategic three-phase progression that I'm really excited about:

Personal Leadership (September-November): We start with building self-awareness and emotional intelligence because you can't lead others effectively until you understand yourself.

Workplace Leadership (December-February): Then we focus on developing influence, collaboration, and communication skills that make you more effective in your current role.

Community Leadership (March-May): Finally, we tackle systems-level thinking and change management – the skills you need to drive real impact across our region.

This progression ensures participants develop both the personal capabilities and practical tools needed to lead effectively in communities like ours, where relationships matter enormously, resources require careful stewardship, and collaborative approaches usually work better than top-down mandates.

Grateful for Our Community Investment

I have to give a huge shout-out to our program sponsors who make Leadership Lewis possible: Community Care of West Virginia, Vandalia Health: Stonewall Jackson Memorial Hospital, Citizens Bank of Weston, and Hope Gas. Their support reflects something I deeply believe – that investing in local leadership capacity is absolutely essential for our region's prosperity.

These organizations understand that the cultivation of new leadership isn't just nice to have; it's critical to our county's and state's future. We're developing leaders who will use their talents and abilities to inspire others and create that new commitment of purpose, enthusiasm, and vitality that our communities need.

The Networks That Really Matter

One thing I consistently hear from our alumni is how valuable the relationships they formed during Leadership Lewis have become. The program's small cohort size – we intentionally keep it intimate – creates deep, meaningful connections that participants draw upon long after graduation.

I've watched Cohort 1 and 2 members collaborate on community projects, refer business to each other, and support one another through professional challenges. They're proving that some of the most powerful professional networks aren't formed in big cities or prestigious universities – they're built right here, among people who are committed to making our region better.

Already Seeing the Impact

What gets me most excited is seeing how our alumni are already making a difference. They're serving on nonprofit boards, launching community initiatives, and bringing fresh energy to challenges that have seemed intractable for years. Many tell me that Leadership Lewis didn't just improve their skills – it gave them the confidence and connections to tackle bigger challenges than they ever thought possible.

Looking Ahead

As Cohort 3 prepares to start their journey, I'm energized by the growing network of Leadership Lewis alumni who are connected across sectors and communities. These relationships are creating collaboration opportunities that simply didn't exist before, and I believe we're just getting started.

The program concludes in May 2026 with what's always my favorite event – our graduation celebration where we recognize both individual growth and collective commitment to community impact. But honestly, that's just the beginning of their real work.

If you're interested in future Leadership Lewis cohorts, applications for Cohort 4 will open in spring 2026. Keep an eye on our website and social media for updates.

For more information about Leadership Lewis, feel free to reach out to me directly at [email protected] or 304-269-2608. I love talking about this program and what these emerging leaders are going to accomplish.