Educating, Equipping and Engaging Leaders of the Future

The words of Woodrow Wilson, "We are not here merely to make a living. We are here to enrich the world," rings true with the Gwinnett Chamber’s flagship program, Leadership Gwinnett. Leadership Gwinnett is enriching the world we live in through its mission “to educate, equip, and engage Gwinnett’s leaders to serve and strengthen Gwinnett County and the region. 

In 2007, Leadership Gwinnett experienced a series of enhancements to update the program and more effectively meet community needs.  “Our goal was to build on the program excellence that was a hallmark of Leadership Gwinnett for over two decades,” said Renee Byrd-Lewis, community relations manager for Scientific Atlanta and general chair of Leadership Gwinnett. Lewis, who was instrumental in many of the changes made to Leadership Gwinnett said that “the natural maturation of Gwinnett coupled with its rapid growth unearthed new issues to be addressed.”For this reason, a task force comprised of community leaders evaluated Leadership Gwinnett over a 12-month period and provided the Board of Trustees with specific recommendations to ensure the program’s relevance and effectiveness into the future.

The changes adopted by the Board of Trustees can be seen throughout the program starting with a new logo and Web site. The new logo, which embodies the program’s new mission statement, contains three “e’s” (two small, one large), a united center radiating outward and reflects unity and diversity. The Web site, www.leadershipgwinnett.com, provides enhanced visibility of the program, serves as a learning and reinforcement tool for current classes and works to increase alumni engagement. Program elements include seven “Learning Days”, two Retreats and eight small group discussion sessions focused on the following themes essential to building a World Class Community:  Infrastructure, Economics, Justice System, Health and Human Services, Education and Gwinnett as a participant in the region and world. 

Other enhancements include the use of adult learning strategies, targeted skill building, leadership assessments, readings and activities to bridge the Learning Days.  ”Upon graduation, participants will understand the interconnectedness of the learning days and that Gwinnett’s success depends on leadership from all sectors working together to address existing challenges,” said Lewis.Lewis also reports, “the redesigned program is receiving high marks from the 2007-08 class participants, and when the program concludes in May 2008, 36 Leadership Gwinnett graduates will be better educated, equipped and ready to engage in serving and strengthening Gwinnett County and the region.”

Nominations are currently being accepted for the next Leadership Gwinnett Class. Leadership Gwinnett is a nine-month program that includes a series of seven one-day sessions, two retreats and more. For more information, contact Gail Macrenaris at 770-232-8803 or gail(at)gwinnettchamber.org,  Or to nominate yourself or someone else, click HERE.

Enrich the world you live in by becoming involved with Leadership Gwinnett.