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Lessons for Leawood Leaders
The Leawood Chamber of Commerce offers its members a leadership program for professional and personal development.
By Beth Kornegay
Photos by Strauss Peyton Portrait Studio, www.strausspeytonkc.com
When Leawood Chamber of Commerce president Stephanie Meyer joined the organization in late 2022, she heard from many members that they were looking for additional opportunities for personal and professional development. A graduate of similar programs in other municipalities, Meyer knew that Leadership Leawood would be the perfect solution to help connect and train current and future community and business leaders.
For its inaugural class, which began in January 2024, the chamber looked for individuals living or working in Leawood or the surrounding Johnson County area who “demonstrate commitment to our community and leadership experience or potential,” Meyer says.
The application process yielded an impressive cohort of 21 distinguished professionals representing various sectors, including private enterprise, government, and nonprofit organizations.
“Leadership Leawood is only as good as our participants, and we’re very proud of the diverse group of individuals who make up this inaugural class; we think it sets a wonderful precedent for future years, and for the strength of the program,” says Meyer.
I’ve been fortunate to receive guidance from a diverse array of mentors who have supported me through both professional and personal challenges. I aspire to pay it forward but knew there were crucial competencies such as effective communication, strategic decision making, and adept problem solving that still need refinement. I knew Leadership Leawood would help me sharpen those skills needed to take things to the next level.
–MATT PEPPES
The program itself consists of nine sessions, each focused on a different subject. Participants get an in-depth look at the City of Leawood, the State of Kansas, regionalism, the nonprofit ecosystem, local healthcare, and public education, all culminating with a May graduation.
“We really wanted our class members to hear from the experts, so we enlisted the help of some of our city’s and region’s best talent to discuss leadership, the City of Leawood, our nonprofit community, and more. It’s a dynamic group of subject matter experts over the nine sessions,” Meyer says.
Business Support
The 2024 Leadership Leawood program was sponsored by two local Chick-fil-A operators: 113th & Nall and 135th & 69 Highway. The owners and operators of these locations, Dustin Andrews (Nall) and Kylie Oberweather (135th), partnered with the chamber to bring this program to Leawood because they believe in leadership development and in supporting local businesses.
The program’s leadership development partner, UMKC TalentLink, led the first two sessions, which were focused on participants’ management, learning, and leadership styles, as well as practical ideas and conversations about time management, focus, and delegation strategies. As a part of program completion in May, participants also receive a continuing education leadership certificate from UMKC TalentLink.
We really wanted our class members to hear from the experts, so we enlisted the help of some of our city’s and region’s best talent to discuss leadership, the City of Leawood, our nonprofit community, and more. It’s a dynamic group of subject matter experts over the nine sessions.
–STEPHANIE MEYER
City Day was a highlight for many participants in the class and included a variety of tours, public safety demonstrations, and workshops. Members participated in a mock budget session and traffic court trial and were able to have conversations with Leawood mayor Marc Elkins, as well as several other members of the governing body and professional staff.
The Leawood Chamber of Commerce also partnered with other Johnson County chambers to present State Day, Regionalism Day, and County Day during the Leadership Leawood program.
Personal Growth
Crafted with the objective of nurturing future business leaders and fostering heightened civic engagement among Leawood residents, the five-month program endeavors to cultivate participants’ leadership acumen and aptitude, equipping them to effect positive change within their respective spheres of influence.
Matt Peppes, a member of the Leawood Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Council co-chair, viewed Leadership Leawood as an invaluable opportunity to refine his leadership skills while expanding his professional network.
“I’ve been fortunate to receive guidance from a diverse array of mentors who have supported me through both professional and personal challenges. I aspire to pay it forward but knew there were crucial competencies such as effective communication, strategic decision making, and adept problem solving that still need refinement. I knew Leadership Leawood would help me sharpen those skills needed to take things to the next level,” he says.
Leadership Leawood is only as good as our participants, and we’re very proud of the diverse group of individuals who make up this inaugural class; we think it sets a wonderful precedent for future years, and for the strength of the program.
–STEPHANIE MEYER
Committed to mentorship and continuous personal growth, Peppes anticipates a transformative journey of self-discovery and impact, and he views participation in the program as an instrumental step toward holistic leadership development. Peppes also says he encourages others to stay committed to lifelong learning and development, which is an opportunity that Leadership Leawood has also offered.
Taylor Limoges, vice president of programming and communications for the chamber, was instrumental in putting together the Leadership Leawood program, and she feels it’s the most significant opportunity that has been offered since she joined the chamber in 2021. She says the class members’ excitement is contagious.
“They are the movers and shakers of our community.
“Our staff and class aren’t the only ones feeling the excitement either, as we already have an exciting group of local leaders ready to join next year’s class,” Limoges says.
The next Leadership Leawood class is scheduled for January to May 2025. Applications will open later this fall.
