Leadership Academy
DeKalb Leadership Academy expands your network and further develops your leadership perspective through community exposure and engagement. Maximizing employee potential and encouraging active participation in business and the community are among the goals of the DeKalb Chamber of Commerce's Leadership Academy.
Leadership Topics
- Personal Evaluation and Development
- Public Speaking Skills
- Personal Leadership Styles
- Networking Skills
- Group & Interpersonal Communication Skills
- Conflict Resolution
- Negotiating Skills
- Business Etiquette
- Community Service Experiences
- Overview of Local Nonprofits
- Public Policy Discussions
- Government Affairs
- Overview of Health Care in our Community
- Tours of Relevant Area Facilities
- Overview of Area Educational Institutions
- Community Stewardship
- Better Understanding of Sustainable Economic Vitality of the Area
- Community Class Project(s)
2022-2023 Class Members
Pooja Ballantine - DAAHA / Network of Nations
Jennifer Bock - MetroNet
Jacob Cook - First State Bank
Elbia Del Llano Menéndez - Northern Illinois University
Andy Douglas - 3M
Emily Faulkner - DeKalb Public Library
Autumn Gabriel - RAMP
Marckie Hayes - Northwestern Medicine
Alex Hunter - FNBO
James Jackson - Opportunity House
Karin Jenkin - Proven Winners
Kyle Johnson - B&C Logistics Group
Cammi Krause - Siepert & Co.
Rylie Loucks-Kues - Family Service Agency
Shawn Lowe - NIU Convocation Center
Meropi Matarangas - Old National Bank
Kurt Mattson - DeKalb Mechanical
Robert Mitchell - Voluntary Action Center
Jessica Nall - DeKalb CUSD 428
Olivia Pacheco - El Jimador Mexican Grill
Libby Raih - Michaels
Sarah Sapp - Meta
Kevin Sullivan - Raymond James & Associates
Aaron Walker - City of DeKalb
Jennifer Bock - MetroNet
Jacob Cook - First State Bank
Elbia Del Llano Menéndez - Northern Illinois University
Andy Douglas - 3M
Emily Faulkner - DeKalb Public Library
Autumn Gabriel - RAMP
Marckie Hayes - Northwestern Medicine
Alex Hunter - FNBO
James Jackson - Opportunity House
Karin Jenkin - Proven Winners
Kyle Johnson - B&C Logistics Group
Cammi Krause - Siepert & Co.
Rylie Loucks-Kues - Family Service Agency
Shawn Lowe - NIU Convocation Center
Meropi Matarangas - Old National Bank
Kurt Mattson - DeKalb Mechanical
Robert Mitchell - Voluntary Action Center
Jessica Nall - DeKalb CUSD 428
Olivia Pacheco - El Jimador Mexican Grill
Libby Raih - Michaels
Sarah Sapp - Meta
Kevin Sullivan - Raymond James & Associates
Aaron Walker - City of DeKalb
Advisory Committee
Chair: Kasey Sheley - Sundog
Vice Chair: Erin Arnold - Fidelity Investments
Secretary: Peyton Adams - 94.9 WDKB
Tia Anderson - Heartland Bank & Trust
Dale Boughton - Sundog
Cathy Doederlein - Northern Illinois University
Cindy Green-Deutsch - Old National Bank
Devyn Grzywa - FNBO
Jeanine Holcomb - Egyptian Theatre
Erica Huerta - FNBO
Brandon Pugh - Egyptian Theatre
Matt Duffy – DeKalb Chamber of Commerce
2023-2024 Applications
Applications are due Friday, June 30th. All three recommendation forms are due Friday, July 14th. Contact us at (815) 756-6306 with questions.
Applications
Recommendation forms
Leadership Academy Alumni Swag
Show how you are a proud graduate of Leadership Academy by purchasing Leadership Academy Alumni men and women's apparel! Options include t-shirts, to cardigans, to dress shirts.
SHOP apparel
Graduate Testimonials
There are over 350 DeKalb Leadership Academy graduates. Listen to some of our alumni talk about how going through the program helped them become more powerful leaders.
If you're interested in learning more about Leadership Academy, submit your email and we will contact you. You could be in the next graduating class!
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