About Us
Leadership Lake County, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986, is committed to cultivating leaders at every stage of life through interactive programs designed for executives, front-line supervisors, high school students, and middle school students. With community-based program days and hands-on learning experiences, participants gain practical knowledge and skills they can immediately apply, driving meaningful change in their workplaces and communities.
Signature Program Overview
Leadership Lake County's Signature Program is designed for executive-level and established leaders in our community, offering a comprehensive approach to leadership development. The program focuses on three core areas
- Enhancing key leadership skills and competencies
- Providing in-depth knowledge about Lake County
- Exploring how leaders are addressing current local issues
Leadership development topics/competencies
- Working through technical and adaptive challenges
- Engaging new voices
- Faction mapping
- Conflict management
- Learning multiple interpretations
- Energizing others
- Starting where others are
- How to purposefully experiment
- Intervening skillfully
- Developing a shared purpose
- Working effectively with nonprofit organizations
- Project management
- Managing self
- Behavior Styles Model: As I See Myself
- Behavior Styles Model: As Others See Me
Cost of Program
Our Signature Program is an employer-supported professional development program
Direct cost per participant: $3,400
The program cost is $3,400 per participant, which covers the opening retreat, all program meals, transportation, materials, and a $50 non-refundable application fee. If selected, the $50 application fee will be applied toward the $3,400 program cost. If waitlisted, the application may be reconsidered upon request without incurring an additional fee. No other direct program expenses are anticipated. The $3,400 program fee is non-refundable and due by August 1, 2025.
Indirect cost: Employee time
Participating employees will need to spend time away from the office for scheduled program days and 1-2 hours per month for community impact project meetings, coordinated with their team. Advance notice will be provided to support planning and coverage.
2026-2027 Signature Class Schedule
- *Orientation: August 26, 2026 from 4pm-5:30pm followed by a reception with our Board ofDirectors and Alumni from 5:30pm-7pm
- *Opening Retreat I What is Leadership? : September 24–25, 2026 — Overnight retreat at Punderson Manor & Lodge. Programming begins at 9am on 9/24 and concludes at 2:45pm on 9/25. Cabin lodging, meals, and programming included. Optional evening networking and activities will be available after dinner on 9/24.
- History Day I Leadership Lesson:Technical vs. Adaptive Challenges: October 14, 2026 from 7:30am-3:45pm
- Education Day l Leadership Lesson: Engage New Voices: November 18, 2026 from 7:30am-3:45pm *Please note this is the third Wednesday due to Veteran's Day
- Health Care & Healthy Living Day I Leadership Lesson: Energize Others: December 9, 2026 from 7:30am-3:45pm
- *Midyear Retreat I Leadership Lesson: Start Where They Are: January 20, 2027 from 8am-4:15pm
- Business, Labor, & Economy Day I Leadership Lesson: Purposeful Experiments: February 17, 2027 from 7:30am-3:45pm *Please note this is the third Wednesday to accommodate Ash Wednesday Observances
- Public Safety, Justice, & Government Day I Leadership Lesson: Intervene Skillfully: March 10, 2027 from 7:30am-3:45pm
- Environment Day I Leadership Lesson: A Shared Purpose: April 14, 2027 from 7:30am-3:45pm
- Quality of Life Day & Closing Retreat I Leadership Lesson: Manage Self: May 12, 2027 from 8am-5pm followed by a family-friendly cook-out with alumni from 5pm-7pm at The Lake Erie Bluffs Shelter
- *Graduation: May 26, 2027 from 6pm-8:30pm
*Mandatory attendance. We ask for 80% attendance overall to be eligible for graduation.
Next Steps: Apply TODAY!
To secure a spot in the Signature Program, the nominee must submit their application (including a $50 non-refundable fee) by May 31, 2026 at 5pm.
Applications are reviewed on a first-come, first-serve basis, we will not accept more than 45 individuals in the program per year.