Leadership Kokomo graduates 40th class
Program turns out 22 future leaders in ceremony at Ivy Tech
Twenty-two community leaders in business, industry, health care, non-profit service, and education were honored recently as Leadership Kokomo celebrated the completion of its 40th edition of the leadership development program. The graduates were honored at a celebration in Hingst Hall on the Ivy Tech Kokomo campus, joined by their sponsors, LK alumni, and other community leaders.
Members of Leadership Kokomo’s Class of 2022 include: Alex Konopacki, Amanda Lewton, Amber Kinsey, Ana Garcia, Angie Powell, Caleb Gibson, Catherine Hughes, Chrystal Fowler, Dana Stewart, Drew Reed, Erin Geiselman, Heidi Hodson, Jennifer Yeakle, Julie Miller, Justin Pugh, Katie Loman, Megan Aponte, Meghan Cook, Richard Candelaria, Steve Smith, Trisha Skarda, and Weston Reed.
Leadership Kokomo is a partnership between Ivy Tech Community College, the Greater Kokomo Economic Development Alliance, and the City of Kokomo. In a year-long program, it aims to bring together a diverse group of existing and emerging community leaders to empower them to become resourceful stewards of the community.
The program now has turned out approximately 750 graduates since its inception in 1982.
The ceremony included a keynote speech from Leadership Kokomo alumnus Rep. Mike Karickhoff, presentations from graduates Jennifer Yeakle and Richard Candelaria, and closing remarks from Mayor Tyler Moore, also a Leadership Kokomo alumnus.
“I’m a firm believer that leaders are successful when they surround themselves with great people,” said Moore. “You’ve done that with this class, with your employers. We look forward to what you will continue to do for our community. Graduation is not an end; it’s a beginning. We need good, quality leaders to step forward.”
Liz Kerns, a graduate of Leadership Kokomo who now serves as director of Venture Development at Indiana Wesleyan University, began facilitating the leadership program two years ago while employed by the Greater Kokomo Chamber of Commerce. She is finishing work on a doctorate in education in ethical leadership from Olivet Nazarene University, writing a dissertation on community-university partnerships through using experiential learning, the model used by Leadership Kokomo.
"Leadership Kokomo's role of building leaders is unparalleled,” Kerns said. “The program blends community engagement and leadership development through experiential learning opportunities for each cohort member.”
Kerns said that over nine months, the participants in the program engage with each facet and major industry in the region. “They have the opportunity to learn about self and intrapersonal leadership, group and interpersonal leadership, and organizational leadership with change management,” she added. “We are building each person's capacity to strengthen the fabric of our community."
A member of the Class of 2022, Katie Loman is putting her experiences in Leadership Kokomo to work as the recently named executive director of Career Coaching and Employer Connections for Ivy Tech’s Kokomo Service Area.
“It’s been wonderful to be a part of Leadership Kokomo,” Loman said. “I had the chance not only to learn about many great businesses here but also to grow as a leader through training in interpersonal, intrapersonal and organizational leadership.
“When we begin to see our part in helping a community grow and thrive, as Leadership Kokomo shows, we start to understand the responsibility we as leaders have for the greater good.”
Kerns announced applications are being accepted or the next cohort of Leadership Kokomo, which will begin in August. Review of applications will begin June 10. For more information on the Leadership Kokomo, go to www.LeadershipKokomo.com. The application for the next cohort is available at https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/D78XQ7C. Leadership Kokomo is also taking applications for alumni to be engaged with next year’s cohort through a new mentorship program. Alumni can sign up and learn more at https://forms.gle/zEijCpLMQSXeMJzm6.