Chamber Accepting Applications for Leadership Charlottesville Through June 21
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for its signature member-service, community-building program, Leadership Charlottesville. The Chamber will accept up to 40 applicants representing a diverse range of Chamber member businesses and civic organizations into the Class of 2020. Applications will be accepted through June 21, 2019.
The Chamber established Leadership Charlottesville in 1982 as an economic development initiative to help our Greater Charlottesville Communities build an active corps of informed and engaged civic leaders. Since the program began, more than 1000 area citizens have graduated from Leadership Charlottesville.
“Leadership Charlottesville brings together emerging and established leaders who are looking to make a real difference in the community,” said program director Andrea Copeland-Whitsett, the Chamber’s Director of Member Education Services. “The connections among class members last a lifetime.”
The tuition-based program runs for 8 months, from September through April. Sessions include a full day at the Poplar Ridge challenge course, weekly half-day meetings with a focus on community issues, and a leaders forum. Class members will complete team projects and give formal project presentations before celebrating their graduation from the program.
The Leadership Charlottesville Class of 2019 completed class projects which addressed community issues such as affordable housing, adult education, and support for job seekers.
“We’ve had some insightful conversations,” said Class of 2019 participant Erika Perez, Membership/Marketing Manager at Costco Wholesale in Charlottesville. “We’ve been learning about the issues here in Charlottesville, and how we as leaders can be a bridge to help the community.”
Leadership Charlottesville participants include senior level executives, nonprofit executives and staff, entrepreneurs/solopreneurs, local government employees, community leaders, retirees, trailing spouses, activists, and more. Anyone who wishes to become more involved in the community is invited to apply.
The Leadership Charlottesville Alumni Association (LCAA) will provide a limited number of partial scholarships to accepted applicants representing women-owned, minority-owned and 501(c)3 nonprofit enterprises. Applicants can request consideration for an LCAA scholarship on the program application.
Interested community members can learn more and submit an application online or contact Andrea Copeland-Whitsett at 434.295.3078.
The Charlottesville Regional Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to representing private enterprise, promoting business and enhancing the quality of life in the greater Charlottesville communities. Founded in 1913, today the more than 1,200 Chamber member and affiliate member enterprises employ more than 45,000 people in Greater Charlottesville, representing an estimated total payroll of more than $1.75 billion a year.
Chamber programs are supported by our Partners in Trust: CFA Institute, University of Virginia, UVA Health System, MPS, The Daily Progress, United Bank, UVA Community Credit Union, Wells Fargo, Great Eastern Management Company, Hourigan, R. E. Lee Companies, Sentara Martha Jefferson Hospital, Tom Tom Festival, Marjorie Adam Team, Story House Real Estate, and the bridge ltd.