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DTSTART:20250826T203000Z
DTEND:20250826T223000Z
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SUMMARY:LEAD Champaign County 2025
DESCRIPTION:Developing the Next Generation of Leaders\n\nLEAD Champaign County is designed to shape emerging professionals into confident\, community-minded leaders. Over the course of 12 weeks\, participants will gain practical leadership skills\, strengthen their communication and professionalism and build a valuable network of peers across industries.\n\nThrough weekly sessions led by local business and civic leaders\, participants explore topics such as leadership styles\, strengths-based development\, strategic communication and civic engagement. The program benefits both the employee and employer by investing in long-term professional and personal growth.\n\n\n\nLEAD Champaign County Mission\n\n\n To attract and empower the next generation of community leaders in Champaign County.\n To connect young professionals to their peers\, local resources and opportunities for service\, leadership and advocacy.\n To engage participants in creating a stronger community.\n\n Program Kickoff Event\n\nTo start the program\, participants are invited to a casual networking and trivia night on August 26\, 2025. This kickoff event is a great opportunity to meet fellow participants\, start building relationships and set the tone for the weeks ahead. Light appetizers will be provided. Additional food and beverages available for purchase.\n\n \n12-Week Program Schedule:\n\nMore coming soon.\n\n\n\nWEEK 1 - Tuesday\, August 26: Opening Reception and Kick-off Event\n\nLocation TBA\n\nTrivia by by Whaddayaknow Trivia\n\nTo kick off LEAD Champaign County\, participants will gather to meet and get to know each other better over some food and drinks. Participants will be given further additional materials and details about the class.\n\n\n\nWEEK 2 - Thursday\, September 4: Leadership Foundations & Strengths Analysis\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by Dr. Gayle Spencer\, Illinois Leadership Center\n\nFocus: Understanding personal leadership styles and strengths\n\n\n\nWEEK 3 - Thursday\, September 11: Effective Communication & Personal Branding\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by Dr. Stephanie Stuart\, Parkland College\n\nFocus: Crafting your professional presence and leadership voice\n\n\n\nWEEK 4 - Thursday\, September 18: Emotional Intelligence & Leadership\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by Heidi Esther\, Heidi Esther Unlimited\, LLC\n\nFocus: Learning how to develop and lead with emotional intelligence\n\n\n\nWEEK 5 - Thursday\, September 25: Team Building & Collaboration\n\n9:00 a.m. 12:00 p.m.\n\nAllerton Park & Retreat Center\, 499 Old Timber Rd.\, Monticello\, IL\n\nParticipants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes\, closed-toed shoes (tennis shoes are best) and bring water if needed. This will be an outdoor\, (light) physical activity. Please plan and dress accordingly.\n\n\n\nWEEK 6 - Thursday\, October 2: Navigating Conflict & Difficult Conversations\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by Liz Borman\, CIHRG\n\nFocus: Managing workplace challenges and resolving conflicts effectively\n\n\n\nWEEK 7 - Thursday\, October 9: Strategic Thinking & Decision Making\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nFocus: Developing a strategic mindset for leadership\n\n\n\nWEEK 8 - Thursday\, October 16: Leading Through Change\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nFocus: Adapting to and leading during times of change\n\n\n\nWEEK 9 - Thursday\, October 23: Financial & Ethical Leadership\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by Tammy Lemke\, Lemke Strategic Consulting LLC\n\nFocus: Budgeting\, ethical decision-making and financial responsibility in leadership\n\n\n\nWEEK 10 - Thursday\, October 30: Community Leadership & Civic Engagement\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPanelists from United Way\, Champaign Rotary and City of Champaign\n\nFocus: leading beyond the workplace nonprofit boards and public service\n\n\n\nWEEK 11 - Thursday\, November 6: Preparing for Leadership Roles\n\n8:30 a.m. 10:30 a.m.\n\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by various business leaders in Champaign County\n\nFocus: How to position yourself for promotions and leadership opportunities\n\n\n\nWEEK 12 - Thursday\, November 13: Etiquette Luncheon & Graduation\n\n11:30 a.m. 1:00 p.m.\n\nBaxters American Grille\, 100 Trade Ctr. Dr.\, Champaign\, IL\n\nPresented by Patricia Simpson\, Game-Changing Etiquette\n\nParticipants will receive a crash course on the basics of business dining etiquette from Patricia Simpson of Game-Changing Etiquette. Gain the knowledge and skills needed to feel comfortable and confident at your next business meal.\n\n\n\n*Times may be subject to change. Updated information will be sent to participants as it becomes available. \n\n\n\nPRESENTED BY\n\n\n\nView other sponsorships HERE!\n\nQuestions?\n\nContact Kaylie at kayliem@champaigncounty.org or 217.359.1791
X-ALT-DESC;FMTTYPE=text/html:Developing the Next Generation of Leaders
\nLEAD Champaign County is designed to shape emerging professionals into confident\, community-minded leaders. Over the course of 12 weeks\, participants will gain practical leadership skills\, strengthen their communication and professionalism and build a valuable network of peers across industries.
\nThrough weekly sessions led by local business and civic leaders\, participants explore topics such as leadership styles\, strengths-based development\, strategic communication and civic engagement. The program benefits both the employee and employer by investing in long-term professional and personal growth.
\n
\nLEAD Champaign County Mission\n\n\n - To attract and empower the next generation of community leaders in Champaign County.
\n - To connect young professionals to their peers\, local resources and opportunities for service\, leadership and advocacy.
\n - To engage participants in creating a stronger community.
\n
\n Program Kickoff Event
\nTo start the program\, participants are invited to a casual networking and trivia night on August 26\, 2025. This kickoff event is a great opportunity to meet fellow participants\, start building relationships and set the tone for the weeks ahead. Light appetizers will be provided. Additional food and beverages available for purchase.
\n \;\n
12-Week Program Schedule:
\nMore coming soon.
\n
\nWEEK 1 - Tuesday\, August 26: Opening Reception and Kick-off Event
\nLocation TBA
\nTrivia by by Whaddayaknow Trivia
\nTo kick off LEAD Champaign County\, participants will gather to meet and get to know each other better over some food and drinks. Participants will be given further additional materials and details about the class.
\n
\nWEEK 2 - Thursday\, September 4: Leadership Foundations &\; Strengths Analysis
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by Dr. Gayle Spencer\, Illinois Leadership Center
\nFocus: Understanding personal leadership styles and strengths
\n
\nWEEK 3 - Thursday\, September 11: Effective Communication &\; Personal Branding
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by Dr. Stephanie Stuart\, Parkland College
\nFocus: \;Crafting your professional presence and leadership voice
\n
\nWEEK 4 - Thursday\, September 18: Emotional Intelligence &\; Leadership
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by Heidi Esther\, Heidi Esther Unlimited\, LLC
\nFocus: \;Learning how to develop and lead with emotional intelligence
\n
\nWEEK 5 - Thursday\, September 25: Team Building &\; Collaboration
\n9:00 a.m. &ndash\; 12:00 p.m.
\nAllerton Park &\; Retreat Center\, \; \;499 Old Timber Rd.\, Monticello\, IL
\nParticipants are encouraged to wear comfortable clothes\, closed-toed shoes (tennis shoes are best) and bring water if needed. This will be an outdoor\, (light) physical activity. Please plan and dress accordingly.
\n
\nWEEK 6 - Thursday\, October 2: Navigating Conflict &\; Difficult Conversations
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, \; 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by Liz Borman\, CIHRG
\nFocus: \;Managing workplace challenges and resolving conflicts effectively
\n
\nWEEK 7 - Thursday\, October 9: Strategic Thinking &\; Decision Making
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, \; 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nFocus: \;Developing a strategic mindset for leadership
\n
\nWEEK 8 - Thursday\, October 16: Leading Through Change
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, \; 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nFocus: \;Adapting to and leading during times of change
\n
\nWEEK 9 - Thursday\, October 23: Financial &\; Ethical Leadership
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, \; 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by Tammy Lemke\, Lemke Strategic Consulting LLC
\nFocus: Budgeting\, ethical decision-making and financial responsibility in leadership
\n
\nWEEK 10 - Thursday\, October 30: Community Leadership &\; Civic Engagement
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, \; 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPanelists from United Way\, Champaign Rotary and City of Champaign
\nFocus: \;leading beyond the workplace&mdash\;nonprofit boards and public service
\n
\nWEEK 11 - Thursday\, November 6: Preparing for Leadership Roles
\n8:30 a.m. &ndash\; 10:30 a.m.
\nChamber Office\, \; 303 W. Kirby Ave.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by various business leaders in Champaign County
\nFocus: \;How to position yourself for promotions and leadership opportunities
\n
\nWEEK 12 - Thursday\, November 13: Etiquette Luncheon &\; Graduation
\n11:30 a.m. &ndash\; 1:00 p.m.
\nBaxters American Grille\, 100 Trade Ctr. Dr.\, Champaign\, IL
\nPresented by Patricia Simpson\, Game-Changing Etiquette
\nParticipants will receive a crash course on the basics of \;business dining etiquette from Patricia Simpson of Game-Changing Etiquette. Gain the knowledge and skills needed to feel comfortable and confident at your next business meal.
\n
\n*Times may be subject to change. Updated information will be sent to participants as it becomes available. \;
\n
\nPRESENTED BY
\n
\n\n
View other sponsorships HERE!
\nQuestions?
\nContact Kaylie at kayliem@champaigncounty.org or 217.359.1791
LOCATION:Registration for this kick-off session will register you for the course. All sessions will be held in person. Unless otherwise noted\, all sessions take place at the Chamber office.
UID:e.3371.5858
SEQUENCE:3
DTSTAMP:20260515T001925Z
URL:https://business.champaigncounty.org/events/details/lead-champaign-county-2025-5858
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