Leadership Cincinnati, the Cincinnati Regional Chamber’s flagship civic engagement program, hosts its 50th class this fall. Today it’s one of a dozen professional development offerings within the organization’s Leadership Center.
Class 1 kicked off the Chamber’s leadership programs in 1977. Participants included City Councilman Ken Blackwell, Daniel Ransohoff of the Community Chest (now United Way), Nelson Schwab III of Taft Broadcasting, and Rev. Robert Smith Jr. of New Mission Missionary Baptist Church.
The University of Cincinnati, Fifth Third Bank, and Procter & Gamble have each sponsored 50 or more executives in Leadership Cincinnati over the years. Larger companies often have internal vetting processes before submitting an application, says Leadership Center VP Sean Comer (pictured above crouching in front of Class 50). Applicants are vetted and selected by a committee of LC alumni.
The Cincinnati Police Department has sent 23 staff to Leadership Cincinnati classes, which Comer says benefits participants and the city at large by making personal connections among business and public officials.
Today applicants can choose from a variety of Cincinnati leadership programs, from WE Lead (women) and C-Change (mid-career leaders) to Hello Cincy Executive (new to town) and Cincy Next (early career).
[Photograph by Frank Young]