Abilene’s talent pool and LEADERSHIP NETWORK isn’t just a driving force of our economy. It’s what separates us from the pack.
We help our members invest in that talent through comprehensive leadership development offerings designed to connect and grow strong leaders who lead both inside and out of the office.
Our leadership development programs offer a unique blend of classroom and experiential learning that allows participants to:
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Build meaningful, long-lasting connections
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Learn from our region’s most influential leaders
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Think critically about key business, policy and civic issues facing the Abilene area
Young Leadership Abilene
As growth momentum in Abilene continues to mount, the Chamber is committed to its mission of Growing and Developing the Economy and Quality of Life in the Abilene Area. A key component of this mission is preparing the next generation of Abilene’s workforce to take the reins:
We want to ATTRACT/ RETAIN/ ENGAGE young talent in Abilene.
This is the driving force of our Young Professionals program and it is the same motive behind our Young Leadership Abilene (YLA) program.
A near-mirror of the Chamber’s successful Leadership Abilene program, YLA is tailored specifically for Abilene area high school sophomores. Leadership training opportunities, tours, speakers and relationship building are the backbone of each one the program’s eight themed days, stretched out over 9 months. We want to give students a look “behind the curtain” into the inner workings of their community and we are going to show them that almost anything they aspire to, is available HERE, in Abilene.
Sponsored by:
HD 71 Representative Stan Lambert
Who should apply?
This program is for Abilene area high school sophomores. The application period will be March & April of the 9th grade school year.
What is the time commitment?
This program runs once monthly, September-May (no class in March). Program days run from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm, usually on a Tuesday. These are excused absences from school but you will be responsible to make up your work.
Why should I do this?
I really enjoyed connecting with people from different professions and business as well as being able to explore different parts of Abilene I rarely see. Leadership Abilene helped me discover professions I have interests in pursuing, and I’m so thankful for those opportunities.
– Macie Hill, Abilene Christian School
Thank you for making such an eye-opening experience available for our young people. I know for Austin it was building on skills that he has developed through Boy Scouts and I hope it will encourage him to consider all the possible directions his life can take. Helping our young people dream can only be a good thing! – Vickie Britten, parent
Leadership Abilene
THE PURPOSE OF LEADERSHIP ABILENE
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Identify and motivate potential leaders
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Acquaint them with community needs
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Provide insight into techniques, opportunities, and challenges of leadership
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Explore alternate perspectives for community challenges
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Encourage new leaders to community involvement
Leadership Abilene strives to expose participants to the many services, resources, organizations and businesses that make Abilene unique. Each month (of the nine-month program) the group will attend presentations, tour facilities and interact with representatives from local businesses, non-profit organizations, educational institutions and public offices.
This highly sought-after and respected program accepts up to 36 participants each year from a wide cross-section of Abilenians. After almost 40 years, Leadership Abilene Alumni can be found serving on boards, leading companies and creating new opportunities.
Who should apply?
Anyone 21 and older who is interested in expanding your network and gaining deeper insight and access to all that Abilene has to offer.
What is the time commitment?
This program runs one full day, monthly, September through May. Usually on a Thursday or a Friday. An overnight orientation and seven out of the nine program days are required to graduate from the program.
Why should I do this?
Leadership Abilene offered me an avenue to explore leadership opportunities alongside others with the same goal. Leadership Abilene also provided valuable insight into how I can make an impact in my community. -Emerald Cassidy, ACU
Two of the many great experiences I took from Leadership Abilene are, one, the numerous close friendships that developed during that year and beyond, and two, I gained a greater understanding
and appreciation for how this GREAT city operates and serves its GREAT citizens! -Luke Harwell, Baack’s FloristBeing part of Leadership Abilene gives you an opportunity to see what it takes to make and keep Abilene the great city that it is. If you want to be part of this community, from the inside out, Leadership Abilene should be on your bucket list! – Yanell Rieder, Casa Authentique
RISE
The Chamber is focused on NEXT LEVEL leadership development opportunities that will help Abilene maintain its recognition as a community with a strong commitment to building its future leaders. We feel strongly that Abilene is ready to elevate our emerging leaders into a next-generation offering.
RISE (Relationships, Insight, Service and Engagement) is an eight-month, intensive and participant-interactive leadership training program designed and conducted by a proven and respected leadership trainer. Participants will dialog with other emerging and key leaders in Abilene, apply the learning through their current role in his or her organization, develop and grow as a professional with stretching commitments, and build supportive relationships with the community of leaders in Abilene.
Sponsored by:
Who should apply?
This program is designed specifically for managers or people of influence and decision-making ability in their organization.
What is the time commitment?
Seven days, 8:00 am – 5:00 pm, stretched out over eight months, October- May. Usually on a Tuesday.
Why should I do do this?
Youth Leadership Abilene Class of 2019
Sydney Awbry/ Abilene Christian HS
Sydney Baker/ Abilene Christian HS
Miller Bannister/ Cooper HS
Lydianna Bradford/ Wylie HS
Andrew Brokovich/ Cooper HS
Avery Bruntmyer/ Abilene HS
Ben Camp/ Abilene Christian HS
Case Coker/ Wylie HS
Sydney Fields/ ATEMS HS
Marlee Goode/ Wylie HS
Devin Marshall/ Cooper HS
Connor McCray/ Wylie HS
Julia Melson/ Abilene HS
Grace Pacatte/ Cooper HS
Sierra Rayburn/ ATEMS HS
Summer Rektenwald/ Abilene HS
Trevor Schwiethale/ Abilene Christian HS
Madi Sipe/ Abilene HS
Justin Turk/ Abilene HS
Nkurunziza Violette/ Cooper HS
Allison Vogt/ Wylie HS
Diana Waddle/ Wylie HS
Halle Wade/ Abilene Christian HS
John Wallace/ Abilene Christian HS
Rachel Warren/ Wylie HS
Morgan Woods/ Wylie HS
Leadership Abilene Class of 2019
Darrin Black/ Black Plumbing
Dayton Borger/ First Financial Bank
Ashley Bradford/ Noah Project
Triston Cauthen/ Arrow Ford
Will Christoferson/ First Financial Bank
Steve Dieterichs/ Abilene Chamber of Commerce
Will Duncan/ Jacob & Martin
Ketta Garduno/ Abilene ISD
Kimberly Hall/ Condley and Company LLP
Candi Hammett/ Hendrick Home for Children
Nathan Hathorn/ Silverthorne Investments
Courtney Head/ Hendrick Medical Center
Pete Horban/ Dyess AFB 317th Airlift Wing
Cody Kelley/ Barr Residential Roofing
Scott Landreth/ TX Farm Bureau Insurance
Dana Lee/ Mãia Aesthetics
Chris Mabry/ Betty Hardwick Center
Kelsi Mangrem/ Holland Hearing
Jonathan Moore/ Wagstaff Law
Tiffany Nichols/ Abilene CVB
Kassidy Nygaard/ Edward Jones Investments
Glen Pugh/ Congressman Jodey Arrington’s Office
Carol Purser/ Community volunteer
Zach Reyes/ First Financial Trust
Lisa Ridinger/ Arrow Ford
Pablo Rodriguez/ Dyess AFB 7th Bomb Wing
Dan Searight/ Parkhill Smith Cooper
Ethan Shepherd/ Abilene Regional Medical Center
Joel Templeton/ Hardin-Simmons University
Brandi Terry/ Cisco College
Cole Watts/ Mosquito Joe/ More Clean of TX
Robb Walker/ West Texas Rehab Center
Blake Williams/ Blake Williams State Farm
Clayton Young/ Rentech Boiler Systems
RISE Class of 2019
Michelle Beaty/ Eide Bailly LLP
Brad Brazell/ Black Plumbing
Alicia English/ Abilene Christian University
Chris Ford/ Hendrick Health System
Ryan Gibson/ Condley and Company LLP
Chancey Golson/ Batts Communications, LP
Michael Jones/ Betty Hardwick Center
Marjorie Knight/ City of Abilene
Laurin Kocurek/ Abilene Chamber of Commerce
Erica Medina/ McMurry University
John Mendez/ First Financial Bank
Michelle Parrish/ Community Foundation of Abilene
Jackie Powell/ Wylie ISD
Chris Rockett/ Rentech Boiler Systems
JoBeth Huber-Willis/ West Texas Rehabilitation Center
Jeffrey Leonard/ 39th Airlift Squadron, Dyess AFB
Shawn Combs/ 28th Bomb Squadron, Dyess AFB