Leadership Cashiers

Written By: Susan Gregory Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce Leadership Cashiers Class of 2022 | Issue: August 2024

Leadership Cashiers Class of 2023

Now in its sixth year, with over 100 graduates, the Leadership Cashiers Program continues to Inform, Connect, and Engage individuals seeking greater community involvement.

The Class of 2024 is composed of Dona Ampova, Mountain Dog Spa; Hope Corbin, Highlands-Cashiers Land Trust; Tony Daddona, Whiteside Brewing Co.; Nicole Ernst, Keller Williams; Michael Geisler, Ace Handyman Services; Amelia Golcheski, Cashiers Historical Society; Kylee Hamby, Landmark Vacation Rentals; Tom Hessling, Mountain Construction Engineering; Siobhan Hunter, Jubilee Healing Farm and Fusion Yoga; Kittrell Brooks, Berkshire Hathaway Home Services; Max Lawson, High Hampton Inn; Karla Magana, International Friendship Center; Mark Moser, Community Volunteer; Josh Payne, Grand Olde Station; Leigh Ann Pezick, High Hampton Inn; Alison Schultz, Church of the Good Shepherd; Alan Webster, Loudermilk Custom Homes; and Richard Yow, Community Volunteer.

Monthly sessions are typically held on one Tuesday a month, May through December, with a two-day opening retreat.

In the class, personal leadership skills are developed through academic and teambuilding exercises led by Angela Owen of Truventure Enterprises who serves as Program Director. She is also executive director and course instructor of Vision Transylvania, a similar program in Brevard.

In 2017 a task force of the Cashiers Area Chamber and Vision Cashiers developed Leadership Cashiers. The curriculum is based on a model used by many cities/areas across the country.  By taking an intensive look into the issues affecting the area, they prepare and motivate participants to offer quality community leadership.

The Vision of Leadership Cashiers is to build a cadre of area leaders with the necessary tools and connectivity for making a meaningful positive impact on our community, as well as insight on our future challenges – fulfilling its mission to inform, connect, and engage individuals by studying civic issues, building strong working relationships, and motivating participants to provide enlightened, dynamic community leadership.

The program is open to Cashiers Area residents and stakeholders (both permanent and seasonal). Participant criteria include a strong Cashiers orientation, community stakeholder, demonstrated elements of leadership, and community civic involvement and commitment in the Cashiers area.

The Leadership Cashiers Program is also supported by numerous generous sponsors in the business, non-profit, and educational sectors.

You can learn about the program and its goals by visiting leadershipcashiers.org.