Fall Class of Emerging Leaders Wraps Up Civic Action Projects

Congratulations to our newest Emerging Leaders graduates! Our Fall 2018 cohort recently wrapped up the three-month program, aimed at providing early-career professionals with the tools to be active leaders in their careers and the community.

“The Emerging Leaders program not only taught me about the region, it taught me a lot about myself,” says Emily Bardon, Member at Lewis Rice LLC.

The 31 selected young professionals were the first to complete the program in its newly expanded format, which included a two-day opening retreat, additional full-day sessions for learning and discussion and a small-group Civic Action Project. Over the course of the program, the class participated in large and small-group discussions, interviews with regional leaders, hands-on activities and personal reflection exercises – all designed to prepare them for the next step in their leadership journeys.

“Without challenge there is no growth, and I am thankful to Emerging Leaders for pushing me out of my comfort zone,” says Dana Ivancic, Team Leader at Swank Motion Pictures.

The class also had the opportunity to put the leadership skills they were learning into practice through their Civic Action Projects. These team projects allowed participants to work directly with community organizations and leaders to address challenges facing our region.

Thank you to our community partners for supporting their growth and learning!

• Epworth Children & Family Services: Strategies for increasing job placements for clients leaving foster care
• The Little Bit Foundation: Growing the Project Graduation program in the Riverview Gardens School District
• Rx Outreach, Inc.: Exploring barriers to medication access
• FOCUS St. Louis: Developing a mentorship program to increase alumni engagement

Recruiting is underway for our spring cohort, and applications are due online Jan. 4, 2019.

“I highly recommend it for anyone looking to grow and be part of brave conversations and actions,” says Jake Brooks, Director of Ambulatory Business Operations at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children’s Hospital.