The Moore County Leadership Institute (MCLI) kicked off the 32nd and 33rd year of training in August of 2021 and January 2022 with its inaugural retreats held at the Hampton Inn & Suites in Aberdeen. This premier leadership training program is instrumental in building our future leaders for Moore County.
At the August session, Linda Parsons, President & CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce welcomed 10 new participants from around the region. She began by stating, “this journey will be different for each and every one of you, that is what makes this experience so unique.”
Again, on January 15 additional participants also began their year-long journey with the same retreat experience.
“By expanding enrollment opportunities, our employers now have options to send talented individuals through this unique leadership experience but have the flexibility to explore which timeframe works best for their organization and budget.” Says, Jana Walding, Director of Operations.
MCLI provides participants the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally through programs with community leaders and experts. We all know there is a universal need for leaders it takes one look at today’s headlines to know that this is true. While the Chamber may not be able to impact the world issues, it can certainly impact those matters that occur in Moore County by developing effective local leaders.
The Moore County Chamber of Commerce understood this in 1989 when the Moore County Leadership Institute was initially created. The objective is to develop a stronger base of informed, committed, and talented individuals capable of providing dynamic leadership and civic responsibility to the Sandhills region. To date, the Moore County Chamber of Commerce has graduated over 575 individuals from its program.
Participants learn about local history, business challenges, civic issues, and the considerable diversity within our unique community. Ultimately, these individuals are well-rounded, educated individuals with a deeper understanding of civic leadership and responsibility.
Upon graduation, they are encouraged to serve in the community in a volunteer capacity and to inspire others in their respective workplaces by being transformational leaders.
The 32nd Fall MCLI Class includes:
| Amber Clayton | First Bank — Southern Pines |
| Victoria Lopez | Keller Williams Realty |
| Megan Kaufman | FirstHealth — Moore Regional Hospital |
| Michelle Bauer | Sandhills Community College |
| Brice Holler | Pinehurst Medical Clinic, Inc. |
| Sherry McQuage | Keller Williams Realty |
| Samantha Cunningham | The Pilot, LLC |
| Collin Blank | Convention & Visitors Bureau |
The 33rd Winter MCLI Class includes:
| Laurel Holden | Town of Southern Pines |
| Nicole Peterson | Pinehurst, LLC |
| Josh Leap | Pinehurst, LLC |
| Logan Murphy | Pinehurst, LLC |
| Amy Tamez | FirstHealth |
| Lily Kwiatkowski | Pinehurst Medical Clinic, Inc. |
| Traci Cortes | Everything Pines Partners |
| Kristi Snyder | Everything Pines Partners |
| Teresa Remmenga | Rhetson Companies, Inc. |
| Mrs. Ashley Baker | Linden Lodge Foundation, Inc. |
| Natalee Berge | Maison Realty Group |
| Mckenzie Sharrow | Southern Pines Brewing Company |
| Kira Schoenfelder | Southern Pines Brewing Company |
| Amy Stonesifer | Maison Realty Group |
| Matthew Dial | Sandhills Community College |
“Effective leaders are open-minded and willing to strive to move forward for a brighter future. These individuals are leaping into the program to take the time to not only understand our community, but the dynamics of effective leadership and decision making,” said Linda Parsons, President and CEO of the Moore County Chamber of Commerce. “Participants will study over an 11th month period our community infrastructure, analyze their own individual leadership styles, and further developed their communication skills while also volunteering in the community and doing a project that directly impacts Moore County.”
The two-day retreat kicked off the year with a simulated society exercise facilitated by Well Said Public Relations, as well as a dynamic second day with a DiSC leadership assessment and team building with Forth Heffner, The Facility Resource.
Those who are interested in participating in MCLI should visit www.moorecountychamber.com, or contact the Chamber to obtain a copy of the application. Applications will be accepted April 30, 2022, through June 15, 2022, at 5 p.m.
There is a $25 non-refundable application fee. The fee to participate in the 11-month program is $1,295 for Chamber members or $1,595 for all others and includes a two-day retreat, all meals and course materials. Applicants are not guaranteed selection into the program. Notification to all participants will occur in June 2022.
Feature photo: Moore County Leadership Institute class of 2020.
Courtesy photo/Contributed.
