Leadership for Five Seasons

Congratulations to the Class of 2023!

View the list of selected participants.

Each year, 35 individuals are selected to participate in the Adult program. The ten-month program runs from August through May. This unique program empowers participants with a comprehensive understanding of our community’s challenges and opportunities, providing broader knowledge and their role as engaged citizens.

Participants will gain:

• Enhanced understanding of themselves and their leadership style
• Examples of innovation happening in the community
• Connections to key area leaders
• Greater sense of pride for the community
• An inspired heart to give back and grow beyond the program

Participants must:

• Commit to the ten-month program including an evening orientation and an overnight retreat
• Desire to improve leadership skills and gain community knowledge
• Be employed by an Economic Alliance member business (if not currently associated, participants must join if selected for the program)

What to expect:

• The program kicks off with a two-day leadership retreat where they will review current program curriculum and discuss leadership styles, analyze curriculum assessments and create a customized leadership plan. 

• Participants will attend nine full-day monthly leadership days to learn about an area of economic opportunity and quality of life, hear about challenges facing the community and connect with community leaders. The leadership days are as follows:
  • History Day
  • Agriculture Day
  • Arts & Culture Day
  • Entrepreneurial Day
  • Human Needs
  • Government Day
  • Economic Development Day
  • Education Day
  • Health Care Day
• Particpants will spend a half-day towards the end of the program to review their leadership plan and improvements with curriculum facilitator.
• The program ends with the completion of a class project to fulfill an area of need in the community. Examples of past projects include planting trees, raising money and building learning nature trails, putting up inspirational quotes in middle schools, etc. This project serves as a catalyst for the ongoing engagement we hope each participant will carry out through the remainder of their life in our community.

The continued support of LFS Alumni promotes and develops leaders in ICR Iowa as well as:

• Supporting the LFS Youth program
• Provides continued networking opportunities - socially, professionally and personally
• Ensuring LFS Adult program is representative of all sectors, including non-profit and small business
• Continuing to keep reasonable tuition costs for all LFS programs
• Access and participation to the LFS Alumni LinkedIn group
• Free attendance to the Spring Luncheon, Holiday Breakfast
• Reduced admission cost to LFS Annual golf Outing
• Ongoing exclusive volunteer opportunities across all the Leadership for Five Seasons programs (Youth, College, Adult, Executive, Board of Advisors and Alumni)
• Ongoing leadership and professional development opportunities
• Community impact

Thank you to all our Lifetime LFS Alumni:

Congratulations to the LFS Executive Class of 2022:

- Jennifer Bennett - Shive-Hattery
- Robert Garrison - Ingredion
- Dean Houdeshell - New Leader Manufacturing
- Dr. Katie Lyman - Kirkwood Community College
- Chris McCarville - Xavier High School
- Dr. Todd Olson - Mt. Mercy University

Each year, 8-10 individuals and their spouses are selected to participate in the Leadership for Five Seasons program. The nine-month program runs from August through April and targets recently relocated or new Executives to the area. This unique program empowers participants with a comprehensive understanding of our community’s challenges and opportunities, providing broader knowledge and their role as engaged citizens, while building upon their career network.

Participants will gain:

• Enhanced understanding of the community at large
• Examples of innovation happening in the community
• Connections to key area leaders
• Greater sense of pride for the community
• An inspired heart to give back and grow beyond the program

Participants must:

• Commit to the nine-month program including an evening orientation
• Desire to gain community knowledge
• Be employed by an Economic Alliance member business (if not currently associated, participants must join if selected for the program)

What to expect:

• The program kicks off with an opportunity for socializing over dinner and an overview of the program.
• Spouses are welcome to attend each session
• Sessions will be held from approximately 5:30 pm to 9:00 pm
• Participants will attend six monthly leadership days to learn about an area of economic opportunity and quality of life, hear about challenges facing the community and connect with community leaders. The leadership days are as follows:
  
  
  • Orientation and Dinner
  • ICR IOWA Day
  • Business, Industry, and Government Day
  • Education Day
  • Healthcare Day
  • Quality of Life Day

Congratulations to those selected into the LFS Youth Class of 2023. Click here to view the list.

The Leadership for Five Seasons - Youth Program identifies and selects 35 Cedar Rapids Metro area high school students that demonstrate leadership qualities and have a concern for their community. Eight days of in-depth programming from August-March and acquaints students with community needs, opportunities, problems, and resources, while allowing interaction with community leaders, decision makers and each other. While fostering mutual respect and an interest in voluntary community activities, the students strengthen their leadership skills. The inaugural LFS Youth class participated in 1994 making the Class of 2023 the 29th year of the program.

Thanks to our Presenting Sponsor

Thanks to our Supporting Sponsor