The Leadership Washington County experience was extremely valuable to me as Sheriff because it gave me a better understanding of the issues facing our County. The Team Building exercises and practical applications will be something I can apply in the workplace.

Leadership Washington County has allowed me to truly discover the roots of my community. As a team we have explored every corner of the county; discovering remarkable locations, meeting unsung heroes, and realizing the unidentified potential of Washington County.

I had the pleasure of participating in Leadership class XII and it was a very rewarding experience.  I think it is a great opportunity to network while you learn about all that our county has to offer.  We continue to sponsor employees because we view it as great investment in our leaders and it provides an opportunity for them to continue to hone their leadership skills. The professional relationships established prove beneficial long after the individual class is over. It’s a large return on a small investment.

Even if you’ve worked and lived in Washington County your entire life, LWC provides a pathway to broaden your personal, professional and leadership network. As a participant in the LWC experience, I came to realize that there are many other facets of our community that I only knew from the outside looking in. LWC provided the opportunity to walk-in, and become part-of. As a result, I have a new lens from which to view our community and leadership. LWC reinforced my commitment to our community and my commitment to be an active part of leadership in supporting our future.

Being a part of Leadership Washington County class XXI was truly benefit to me personally and professionally. It really opened my eyes to the challenges facing our community and the experiential exercises brought those challenges to life. The year I spent with my class went by very quickly, but the relationships that I built will last a lifetime!

Community participation and philanthropy are cornerstones of Citi’s corporate culture.  LWC provides a great opportunity for our leaders to learn about the challenges facing the community and provides a thought provoking environment for them to get involved, broaden their circle of influence, and get passionate about solving those issues. . . .  Leadership Washington County alums are not just business leaders, they are also leaders in the community.  That’s a win-win for everyone.”

Kaplan now boasts five graduates of the LWC program among it’s staff. The benefits not only to the employees but also to the organization are far reaching. Our involvement in LWC has deepened our leadership, increased our community involvement, resulted in employee promotions as well as externship and job placements for our graduates as a result of the connections and relationships fostered by participation in the program.