About the Program

• An understanding of the three critical success factors of first-time managers (defining and assigning work; enabling others to do the work; building social contracts and relationships).
• Clarity around new skills, use of time, and prioritization required to execute management responsibilities.
• An understanding of best practices and fundamentals for first-time managers in the context of the self, the group, and the organization.

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

 

Meet the Facilitators:

 

Brooke Davis
Brooke Davis is the current Director of Diversity, Equity, and Mental Health Services for a local school district. As a highly motivated leader, Davis has spent twenty-five years helping schools and organizations develop teams, strong leaders, and systems that lead to successful practices. For the past six years, under the mentorship of Teia Gates-Hudgins, she has also worked with entrepreneurs to help develop their businesses, set up systems within their organizations, and have meaningful dialogues about finances. Davis holds a BA from Aquinas College in Communication Arts and a Master's in Social Work from Grand Valley State University. In 2015, she launched BTD Consulting LLC, a company that is passionate about providing individualized and system-wide approaches for schools and organizations. These services include training, coaching, and consulting programs to ensure success for all employee groups.

 

Teia Gates-Hudgins is a Card Service Specialist for a local credit union in the Grand Rapids community. Over the past twenty years, Gates-Hudgins has worked in many positions in the banking community, from teller to manager. For the past seven years, she has facilitated sessions with entrepreneurs centered around developing a business canvas, understanding personal and business finances, and setting up business systems to retain employees. Additionally, Teia mentors women to understand personal and business finances, develop content, and how to be a professional presenter. As the Board President of Young Money Finances, Gates-Hudgins understands that financial stability and knowledge start at a young age and states, "Individuals are never too young to understand money management." Recently, she completed an instructional design class that has helped individuals more efficiently design curriculum and bolster her own facilitation skills. In 2016, Teia created Budget Boutique and Boot camp, focusing on business and personal finances.

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2023 Session Dates, Program Details & Cost

Cohort 1

All sessions are hosted bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

• March 28
• April 11
• April 25
• May 9
• May 23
• June 6

Cohort 2

All sessions are hosted bi-weekly on Tuesdays from 2:00 - 5:00 p.m.

• September 12
• September 26
• October 10
• October 24
• November 7
• November 21

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.

Program Cost

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

Chamber Member: $2,750

Non-Member: $3,250

If you have questions on payment or need to discuss setting up a payment plan, please contact Monica Mendez, Director of Talent & Leadership Development, at monica@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.

Scholarship Application

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Questions or Comments?

Please connect with Summer Sharrard-Neering, Talent Development Program Manager, at summer@grandrapids.org.

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Program Sponsors

Premier Sponsor

Trustee Sponsor

Chamber Champions