LEADERSHIP ARLINGTON
PROGRAM PURPOSE
The purpose of Leadership Arlington is to connect and develop a diverse network of established leaders and empower them with the knowledge and commitment to transform and support our community.
PROGRAM DETAILS
Drawing from the best of the prior 20+ years, the refreshed curriculum incorporates:
- Curriculum developed by an experienced and knowledgeable faculty of experts who are senior leaders in their fields
- A diverse cohort to facilitate interaction and relationship building among a diverse group of established leaders
- Connections with past LCE alumni and high impact decision makers
- A personalized “DiSC, Work of Leaders” profile assessment and training
- The latest research methods and trends in leadership development
- Program content which exposes participants to local government, economic development, arts, health and human services, education, public safety and justice, and environmental sustainability
- Diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging is integrated throughout all programming, with a focus on racial equity
- Exposure to national and global trends on civic engagement with practical guidance on how to effectively implement personal and professional plans at a local level
- Small group experiences that result in real community impact with Volunteer Arlington's nonprofit partners
- Ticket to the annual Regional Leadership Summit at which fellow participants of other Northern Virginia leadership programs join to explore regional issues with area leaders
SELECTION PROCESS
The Selection Committee seeks a diverse cohort of established leaders who demonstrate a commitment to personal growth, civic engagement and community impact.
Cohorts will reflect the following:
- Representatives from business, government, non-profit, and volunteer sectors
- A diversity of gender, race, religion, and background
- A commitment to making a positive impact in Arlington (residence in Arlington County is not required)
If you would like to discuss the program, please contact Hannah Dannenfelser, Community Engagement Director, at hdannenfelser@leadercenter.org.
CLASS OF 2024
APPLICATION PROCESS
The application deadline for the Leadership Arlington Class of 2024 has passed.
KEY DATES
- May 11, 2023: Applications from Arlington County Government employees due
- May 26, 2023: Community applications and scholarship applications due
- June 2023: Invitations will be made for the Class of 2024
SCHEDULE
Classes will meet on the following days from 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 21, 2023 - Opening Program
- Thursday, October 19, 2023 – Government Day
- Thursday, November 16, 2023 – Economic Development Day
- Thursday, December 14, 2023 – Arts Day
- Thursday, January 18, 2024 – Health and Human Services Day
- Thursday, February 15, 2024 – Public Safety and Justice Day
- Thursday, March 21, 2024 – Education Day
- Thursday, April 18, 2024 – Environmental Sustainability Day/Closing Retreat
- Thursday, May 16, 2024- Regional Leadership Summit and Commencement (followed by reception)
TUITION/SCHOLARSHIP DETAILS
$5,500
Leadership Center for Excellence encourages all qualified candidates to apply regardless of financial status.
Tuition covers the monthly programs, access to the LCE alumni directory, and one ticket for the Regional Leadership Summit and Alumni Reception.
Leadership Arlington provides a limited number of scholarships to nonprofit and small business applicants, based on need and funds available. Scholarship requests are not a factor in the selection process.
Scholarship applications are due at the same time as the program applications (Friday, May 26, 2023 at 5:00 p.m.). Scholarship applications will not be accepted after this date.
QUESTIONS
If you would like to discuss the program, please contact Hannah Dannenfelser, Community Engagement Director, at hdannenfelser@leadercenter.org.
CLASS OF 2023
The Class of 2023 is comprised of leaders from the business, government, and nonprofit sectors. They have all demonstrated a commitment to personal growth, civic engagement, and community impact.
CLASS LIST
- Kennya Alvarado, Neighborhood Health
- Catherine Anchin, Arlington Arts Center
- Daria C. Awusah, Space Operations Command (U.S. Space Force)
- Yolanda L. Brooks, CNA
- Jonathan Burgess, Arlington County Government, Sheriff's Office
- Sergio Steve Curro, The Seneca Group
- Frank DeMarco, Arlington Soccer Association
- Christina Dietrich, Arlington County Government, Clerk of the Circuit Court
- Marilyn Dyess, Blake Willson Group
- Deirdre Ehlen, Arlington County Government, Arlington Economic Development
- Jason Friess, Arlington County Government, Department of Management and Finance
- Paula Fynboh, Aspire! Afterschool Learning
- Carol Green-Freeman, Wilson Boulevard Christian Church
- Molly Grover, Accenture
- Alyssa Hackbarth, Lyon Hall
- Robert Hall, Sabre Advocacy, LLC
- Michael Hemminger, Starbucks
- Garrett Jackson, Arlington Partnership for Affordable Housing
- Nadina Kezel, Excella, Inc.
- Marianna Knight, National Trust for Historic Preservation
- Christina Landis, Safeway
- Lorelle Langhorne, Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation
- Madaline Langston, Encore Stage & Studio
- Kimiko Lighty, Restorative Arlington
- Christopher Lipscomb, Founders Bank
- Laura Martin, Rock Spring UCC
- Marlon Moore, AHC Inc.
- Suehaila Nabulsi, Octo, an IBM company
- Claudia O'Connor, Arlington County Government, Department of Environmental Services
- Norm Odeneal, Keller Williams Realty
- Patrick Phillippi, Amazon
- Ryan Pierce, Fresh Impact Farms
- Chetana Rao, NRECA
- Sarita Rhodes-Vivour, VHC Health (Virginia Hospital Center)
- Brian Roach, JBG Smith
- Sara Rund, Dupont Circle Solutions
- Andrea Ryon, HDR
- Ronny Shafer, Animal Welfare League of Arlington
- Betsy Sharon, Chain Bridge Bank, N.A.
- Dori Sophia, Signature Theatre
- Megan Welch, The Craddock Group
- James Wylde, GW Elliott School of International Affairs
SCHEDULE
Classes will meet on the following days from 8:45 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Thursday, September 15, 2022 - Opening Program
- Thursday, October 20, 2022 – Government Day
- Thursday, November 17, 2022 – Economic Development Day
- Thursday, December 15, 2022 – Arts Day
- Thursday, January 19, 2023 – Health and Human Services Day
- Thursday, February 16, 2023 – Public Safety and Justice Day
- Thursday, March 16, 2023 – Education Day
- Thursday, April 20, 2023 – Environmental Sustainability Day
- Thursday, May 18, 2023- Regional Leadership Summit and Commencement
QUESTIONS
If you would like to discuss the program, please contact Hannah Dannenfelser, Community Engagement Director, at hdannenfelser@leadercenter.org.
“As a transplant from the Midwest, I didn’t grow up with the context around how the DMV area operates. Leadership Arlington has been an absolute eye opener for me and I can feel my roots growing more deeply into this community with each session. And it isn’t only the programming within the program. Perhaps even more meaningful are the connections with brilliant, talented, and passionate leaders from the area that I have been able to cultivate throughout the program.”
Stacy Cook, LA Class of '19, Principal, Perception Learning
“I expected to learn about the community through Leadership Arlington – and I did. What I didn’t expect was that I would form connections and friendships that would last well beyond Leadership Arlington’s graduation. I rarely go a day without running into a graduate of Leadership Arlington. And my own classmates still get together regularly. I would go through it again if they would let me!”
Sam Kelly, LA Class of '17, Former CEO, Bridges to Independence
Word cloud built from responses to Leadership Arlington Class of 2022 survey
Participation opens the door to ongoing personal growth, professional development, and community leadership through an integrated, systems-based leadership education, framed around local issues. The curriculum is designed using an experiential learning approach that includes visiting local institutions - when and where possible – class discussions with cross-sector thought leaders, and policy analysis.