Emerging Leaders

About the Program

If you are a professional with a passion for growing your career and becoming actively engaged in the community, Emerging Leaders offers the ideal setting to expand your horizons.

Make Grand Rapids your classroom with five half-day sessions that combine tours, speakers, activities, and interdisciplinary discussions that build community connections, leadership skills, and insight into issues facing Grand Rapids. Plus, you’ll discover new opportunities to engage in the community.

This program is right for you if you are looking for:

  • Conversations with key community leaders
  • Visits to innovative community programs and initiatives
  • Networking with a diverse group of peers
  • An orientation to the city and what makes it a unique community
  • Personal leadership development

This professional development opportunity is particularly valuable for young and early-career professionals, as well as those with a keen interest in our community and growing professionally.

Chamber leadership programs prioritize creating spaces where diverse perspectives can come together to learn, grow and push our community forward.

2024 Session Dates

Spring Cohort

All sessions are hosted bi-weekly on Tuesday between 11:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Fall Cohort

All sessions are hosted bi-weekly on Wednesday between 11:45 a.m. and 5:00 p.m.

Attendance at all program sessions is mandatory to achieve the full value of the program. If you cannot adjust your schedule to accommodate full participation, please consider applying at a time when you have greater flexibility. 

Cost and Scholarships

Tuition must be paid in full by the first class session.

Chamber Member

$ 1,000
  •  

Non-Member

$ 1,500
  •  

If you have questions on payment or need to discuss setting up a payment plan, please contact Olivia Koster, Senior Talent Program Manager, at olivia@grandrapids.org. There are a limited number of partial scholarship funds available. Please submit the following scholarship application form NO LATER than 30 days prior to the first session to be considered.

Questions or Comments?

Headshot of Olivia Koster

Please reach out to:

Olivia Koster

Senior Talent Development Program Manager

Program Sponsors

Premier Sponsor

Trustee Sponsor

Chamber Champions