UNC Asheville’s Leadership Programs office wrapped up its 24th Leadership Asheville class with a graduation ceremony on earlier this week for the 19 program participants.  More than 875 area residents have completed the program since it began in 1982.

“The program is designed to inform, prepare and hopefully inspire citizens to practice leadership that will contribute to a thriving community in Asheville and Buncombe County,” said Gerry Goertz, UNC Asheville’s director of Leadership Programs. “Each year in Leadership Asheville, we explore issues affecting the future of our community and topics ranging from local government and education to economic development and the environment. The program also includes educational sessions on leading change, leading in a multi-cultural world and leadership lessons from the front lines.”

Leadership Asheville program participants conduct community service projects that help them to improve their collaborative problem-solving skills and refine their leadership styles, while making contributions to the community. Opting to work together on a large scale community project, the Leadership Asheville 24 class developed, coordinated, and hosted the Building Collaborative Leadership forum. Open to community members from across the region, the forum was focused on the role that collaboration plays as our region plans for our economic development.  Through a keynote address by Jennifer James, breakout sessions and panel discussion, the forum challenged participants to assess how to create opportunity, resolve challenges and adapt to our changing world.

Leadership Asheville 24 graduates are:  Lisa Adkins, YMCA of WNC; Brad Boris, City of Asheville Water Resources Department; Jonna Bradham, Asheville Savings Bank; Anthony Butzek, City of Asheville Transportation and Engineering Department; Bill Cummings, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Jackie Dula, Care Partners Health Services; Mary Euler, McGuire, Wood & Bissette, P.A.; Kim Ferguson, Buncombe County Schools, Johnston Elementary; Barry Hendren, City of Asheville Fire Department; Bill Kelley, The Grove Park Inn Resort & Spa; Beverly Little, Western Carolina University; Kay Manley, Asheville-Buncombe Technical Community College; Ed McGowan Jr., Coldwell Banker Kasey and Associates; Elaine Robinson, Empowerment! Consulting; Todd Sharpe, Macon Bank; Michael Shoffner, Keller Williams Real Estate; Audran Stephens, City of Asheville Water Resources Department; Gregory Wheeler, Asheville Radiology; and Winnie Ziegler, Mission Hospitals Inc.

For information about Leadership Asheville or other leadership development programs in our community, call UNC Asheville’s Leadership Programs at 828/251-6125 or email leadership@unca.edu.