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We are recruiting for the Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2021!
2020 has brought extraordinary challenges. While life is anything but typical right now, we understand the importance of continuing to offer opportunities to lead, connect and grow within the Northwest Missouri region.
Apply Now! Click here for the participant application. Deadline is November 1, 2020.
Click here for the scholarship application.
View and share the Class of 2021 brochure.
Leadership Northwest Missouri is an exciting leadership development opportunity. It brings together participants from throughout a 19-county region to hone their leadership skills, explore regional issues and gain a network of contacts throughout the region.
Introducing the Leadership Northwest Missouri Class of 2020! What an outstanding group of 24 individuals representing 15 counties in Northwest Missouri.
| Name | Company/Organization | Work County | Home County |
| Anna Barlow | Carroll County Chamber of Commerce/Carroll County Health Department | Carroll | Carroll |
| Debbie Bennett | University of Missouri Extension | Atchison | Nodaway |
| Ashlee Boner | Mosaic Life Care | Buchanan | Andrew |
| Julie Burns | Bank of Gower (Union State Bank) | Clinton | Buchanan |
| Rick Daly | The REDaly Group | Clay | Clay |
| Megan Derry Taul | Trenton Downtown Improvement Association/Main Street Trenton | Grundy | Grundy |
| Whitney Esry | BTC Bank | Harrison | Grundy |
| Dave Fast | Community Hospital – Fairfax | Atchison | Atchison |
| Kaylee Gibson | Boehringer Ingelheim/Be Still, Be True Consulting/Full Circle Social | Buchanan | Buchanan |
| Nikki Graves | C.A.R.E. of Atchison County, Inc. | Atchison | Atchison |
| Rob Honan | MERIL, Midland Empire Resources for Independent Living, Inc. | Buchanan | Buchanan |
| Judy Hood | Northwest Health Services | Buchanan | Holt |
| Jenny Huard | Conception Abbey and Conception Seminary College | Nodaway | Gentry |
| Teresa Linville-Mier | TYMe Enterprises, LLC | Buchanan | Buchanan |
| Katrina Lock | Community Hospital – Fairfax | Atchison | Atchison |
| Mackenzie Manring | Green Hills Regional Planning Commission | Grundy | Daviess |
| Randy Mendenhall | Missouri Department of Transportation | Buchanan | Holt |
| Courtney Nixon | U.S. Bank | Buchanan | Buchanan |
| Maria Peace | Smithfield Hog Production Missouri | Mercer | Mercer |
| Ashley Putnam | Hedrick Medical Center | Livingston | Livingston |
| Julie Robertson | Northwest Missouri State University TRIO Student Support Services | Nodaway | Nodaway |
| Cindy Wells | University of Missouri Extension | Buchanan | Nodaway |
| Br. David Wilding | The Printery House of Conception Abbey | Nodaway | Nodaway |
| Tim Wymes | City of Cameron | Clinton | DeKalb |
Participants From 2020 Share Their Thoughts:
“Leadership Northwest Missouri has been amazing due to the unforeseen circumstances in the world. The knowledge we have gained as a unit has taught us how to adapt, learn, and grow. The experiences have taught us to understand and appreciate others’ struggles. That everyone may look different, but share some of the same struggles.”
Tim Wymes, Cameron/Clinton County
“My experience with Leadership Northwest was truly life-changing. Our class had challenges related to COVID-19 and still was able to remain engaged in-person and virtually. I can’t imagine navigating the last year without the guidance, support, positivity and wisdom of my classmates.”
Anna Barlow, Carrollton/Carroll County
“Leadership Northwest has been a fun and challenging experience of connecting with and learning from a diverse group of leaders from all over northwest Missouri. It has challenged me to grow in many ways, to think about issues outside my normal scope, and to stretch myself beyond my comfort zone.”
Br. David Wilding, Conception/Nodaway County
“Being a part of Leadership Northwest Missouri this year has been a unique experience to say the least. Not being able to visit all the vibrant communities in Northwest Missouri due to Covid-19 restrictions has been disappointing. But at the same time, it has been rewarding to continue to connect to this group via Zoom. At a time when stress and uncertainty are running high related to Covid-19 and the death of George Floyd, it has been so valuable to connect to a group of leaders and study leadership through the lens of trying times. The Leadership Northwest Missouri organizers have done an excellent job of providing opportunities to learn and grow through it all. I will certainly look back upon my year with this group with admiration and gratitude for having been a part of it.”
Debbie Bennett, Rock Port/Atchison County
“LNWMO has provided excellent opportunities to grow, both as a leader and as a person, and to network with other leaders throughout the northwest region. When presented with the challenges faced in 2020, the organization continuously adapted to provide alternate methods for delivering an outstanding experience.”
Randy Mendenhall, Oregon/Holt County
“Leadership Northwest 2020 has been an amazing experience. I never dreamed that so much learning could take place and such a close bond would be formed with one group of people. Even with the trials of COVID-19, this group has bonded and continued to support each other in more ways than I can express. I wish everyone could go through this experience. I am a better person and have grown so much as an individual and as a team. I have increased my circle of lifelong friends with an amazing group of diverse individuals and look forward to continuing this work as an alumni.”
Cindy Wells, St. Joseph/Buchanan County
“This is a great program to help future leaders learn, motivate and push themselves to become a better leader. The program helps you with stepping outside of your comfort zone to fully engage in the program and your day to day leadership to help benefit your future.”
Dave Fast, Fairfax/Atchison County
2020 Class Dates/Locations…
January 29 and 30: Conception Abbey – Opening Retreat
February 20: Hamilton, Hotel Hamilton Event Center
Revised schedule for remainder of class year due to COVID-19 interruption:
July 16: Carrollton – Class will meet via Zoom
August 20: St. Joseph – Class will meet via Zoom
September 17: Maryville, MOERA
October 8: Albany, Location TBD
October 22: Fairfax, MDT Woodworks – Pay It Forward Retreat
November 19: Gower, Backwoods Venue 222 – Graduation
Benefits…
Leadership Northwest Missouri will:
- Provide high quality training to enhance leadership skills
- Give you the opportunity for in-depth discussions regarding issues facing our region
- Enhance your ability to look at issues/opportunities in a regional context
- Identify avenues for active participation at the local and regional level
- Create a network of regional contacts
- Provide opportunities to participate in regional class projects
- Grant Professional Development Hours (57) at no additional cost
Criteria for Selection
Participants will be selected based on their desire to become a more effective leader in the region. Leadership Northwest Missouri recognizes the strength of diversity and will strive for a diverse class composition. Our region is defined as the following 19 counties: Andrew, Atchison, Buchanan, Caldwell, Carroll, Clay, Clinton, Daviess, DeKalb, Gentry, Grundy, Harrison, Holt, Linn, Livingston, Mercer, Nodaway, Sullivan and Worth. Each county will be guaranteed one class spot. (If a qualified application is not received from a county, the unused space will be available to anyone within the region.) Applicants will be selected based on the county in which they reside or work. The Selection Committee reserves the right to review and select applicants from outside the defined region.
Time Commitment and 2021 Class Dates
Classes will meet monthly beginning with a two-day retreat on January 20 and 21. They will continue at locations throughout the region on February 18, March 18, April 15, May 20, June 10 and June 24. Graduation will take place the evening of July 15.
Classes begin at 9 a.m. and adjourn by 4 p.m. There will be required evening activities on January 20.
Vision Statement
We envision thriving communities and dynamic leaders.
Mission Statement
We build, strengthen, and inspire leaders through training and networking experiences.