Locals learning how to help area communities and businesses
Leadership Summit, Summit County’s community leadership program offered this year in partnership with Colorado Mountain College and The Keystone Center, celebrated 15 graduates from the nine-month program at a reception held at The Keystone Center in late July.
During the evening ceremony, the leadership class of 2010 was honored with certificates of completion after summarizing the results of their small-group community projects. Many Leadership Summit alumni were on hand to lend their support.
The participants from across Summit County represented a cross section of industries and a wide range of experiences, backgrounds and ages. During the nine months, the group was introduced to topical issues of local importance such as residential fire mitigation, health care services, management of forest lands and I-70 corridor issues impacting the county.
The participants also explored their leadership styles, local leadership opportunities and how to become actively engaged in helping to solve some of the challenges facing Summit County.
“Many participants, already active in civic and business leadership roles, gained greater skills and knowledge of effective leadership,” said Suzanne Hyman, regional director of Customized Business Services at Colorado Mountain College, who served as co-manager of the program with Johanna Raquet, associate with The Keystone Center.
Beginning in fall 2009, the class met monthly with dynamic community leaders offering varying viewpoints to dissect issues and gain a firsthand look at Summit County’s infrastructure.
“Leadership Summit has helped the participants see our community, and themselves, through new eyes,” Hyman said.
Members of this year’s graduating class of Leadership Summit are: Gail Marshall and Larissa O’Neil of Breckenridge; Kevin Burns, Maggie Dew and Maggie Murray of Dillon; Mark Sabatini of Frisco; Donna Taylor-Corcel of Keystone; and Christy Darling, Bill Falcone, Arthur Hardin, Jeff Hyman, Wendy Miller, Rhonda Pederson, Marge Schweri and Elena Scott of Silverthorne.
Leadership Summit 2011, the next class of the leadership program, is scheduled to begin in September under the direction of Customized Business Services at Colorado Mountain College. Collaborative sessions are conducted one Friday each month and will address critical aspects of the community including the environment, economy, government, law enforcement, health and human services, the arts and nonprofits, and education.
“This is a great opportunity for local employers to sponsor a professional development activity for their most promising employees,” said Hyman.
Those interested in making valuable contacts while building lifelong relationships with other community-minded people may request a program application by contacting Suzanne Hyman at 468-5989 or shyman@coloradomtn.edu. More information is also available at https://coloradomtn.info/LeadershipSummit.
The deadline to enroll in this year’s Leadership Summit is Aug. 27. Informational meetings will be held from 4 to 5 p.m. Aug. 13 at Colorado Mountain College in Dillon, and 8:30-9:30 a.m. Aug. 20 at Colorado Mountain College in Breckenridge. Those wanting to attend either informational meeting are asked to RSVP to Hyman.