Leadership Winter Haven
Leadership Winter Haven was founded in 1980. Since that time the program has been dedicated to developing a well informed and diverse pool of leadership talent ready to help the community and area reach its full potential. In the course of the program, participants leadership skills are nurtured while they are exposed to the spectrum of business, industry, governmental and social issues that confront Winter Haven’s current leaders and will challenge the leaders of tomorrow.
Download the full Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 application.
Applications for Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 are now closed.
Since the program’s inception as one of Florida’s earliest community leadership programs (and Polk County’s first), over 450 people have completed the course. Leadership Winter Haven alumni represent a strong communications network within Greater Winter Haven uniting people of varied interests and backgrounds. From agribusiness to entrepreneur, finance to public servant, the program is rich with diversity.
LWH graduates possess a unique understanding of the complexity of our region. Participants learn first hand the assets, opportunities, challenges and needs within our community, county and Central Florida.
Graduates of Leadership Winter Haven are found throughout not only business, government and community organizations but serving as effective, aware volunteer leaders on Boards of civic organizations and community projects. The benefit of this leadership program is the shaping of a vibrant yet diverse group of individuals who, through well informed decisions, will help our community face tomorrow’s challenges.
Download the full Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 application.
Applications for Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 are now closed.
Since the program’s inception as one of Florida’s earliest community leadership programs (and Polk County’s first), over 450 people have completed the course. Leadership Winter Haven alumni represent a strong communications network within Greater Winter Haven uniting people of varied interests and backgrounds. From agribusiness to entrepreneur, finance to public servant, the program is rich with diversity.
LWH graduates possess a unique understanding of the complexity of our region. Participants learn first hand the assets, opportunities, challenges and needs within our community, county and Central Florida.
Graduates of Leadership Winter Haven are found throughout not only business, government and community organizations but serving as effective, aware volunteer leaders on Boards of civic organizations and community projects. The benefit of this leadership program is the shaping of a vibrant yet diverse group of individuals who, through well informed decisions, will help our community face tomorrow’s challenges.
Who Should Participate:
Participants include established leaders seeking more thorough knowledge of the community , young executives who aspire to leadership as well as civic volunteers who seek a stronger communications network.
Selection of Participants:
Application to Leadership Winter Haven involves both a written application and informal interview conducted by several program graduates. The primary criterion for participation is a sincere interest in furthering your leadership ability and community understanding. You may be nominated or nominate yourself. Download the form for nominating a participant for Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 (classes begins in October 2018).
In the interest of group dynamics, married couples or close relatives are not selected for the same class. The program has, however, graduated a number of husband/wife teams who participated in different classes.
In the event that more qualified candidates apply than class space allows, first consideration will be given during the following year to those whose applications were deferred.
What Do Participants Stand to Gain:
Everyone reaps their own personal rewards from participation. Among them:
• Greater understanding of the community
• Stronger communications network
• More self-confidence in personal leadership abilities
• More opportunities for active participation in the future of your community
• New friends for life (seriously expansion of your business network)
Thanks to the generous donations of the Chamber membership, there are a limited number of scholarships available for Leadership Winter Haven on a needs-basis. Download the scholarship application form for more information.
Tentative Schedule:
Wednesday, September 12: Orientation 4:00 p.m.
October, 3 &4: Opening Retreat
Thursday, October 11: Welcome Reception
Wednesday, October 17: City of Winter Haven Day
Wednesday, November 14: Polk County Day
Wednesday, December 12: Arts/Culture Day
Wednesday, January 16: Education Day
Wednesday, February 20: Ag/Industry Day
March 13 - 15 or 20 - 22: Tallahassee Trip
Wednesday, April 17: Tourism Day
Wednesday, May 15: Health/Technology Day
Wednesday, June 12: Regional Impact Day
Wednesday, June 19: Closing Retreat & Graduation
Participants include established leaders seeking more thorough knowledge of the community , young executives who aspire to leadership as well as civic volunteers who seek a stronger communications network.
Selection of Participants:
Application to Leadership Winter Haven involves both a written application and informal interview conducted by several program graduates. The primary criterion for participation is a sincere interest in furthering your leadership ability and community understanding. You may be nominated or nominate yourself. Download the form for nominating a participant for Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 (classes begins in October 2018).
In the interest of group dynamics, married couples or close relatives are not selected for the same class. The program has, however, graduated a number of husband/wife teams who participated in different classes.
In the event that more qualified candidates apply than class space allows, first consideration will be given during the following year to those whose applications were deferred.
What Do Participants Stand to Gain:
Everyone reaps their own personal rewards from participation. Among them:
• Greater understanding of the community
• Stronger communications network
• More self-confidence in personal leadership abilities
• More opportunities for active participation in the future of your community
• New friends for life (seriously expansion of your business network)
Thanks to the generous donations of the Chamber membership, there are a limited number of scholarships available for Leadership Winter Haven on a needs-basis. Download the scholarship application form for more information.
Tentative Schedule:
Wednesday, September 12: Orientation 4:00 p.m.
October, 3 &4: Opening Retreat
Thursday, October 11: Welcome Reception
Wednesday, October 17: City of Winter Haven Day
Wednesday, November 14: Polk County Day
Wednesday, December 12: Arts/Culture Day
Wednesday, January 16: Education Day
Wednesday, February 20: Ag/Industry Day
March 13 - 15 or 20 - 22: Tallahassee Trip
Wednesday, April 17: Tourism Day
Wednesday, May 15: Health/Technology Day
Wednesday, June 12: Regional Impact Day
Wednesday, June 19: Closing Retreat & Graduation
Two sample videos from Class 38's day trips
2017-2018 Leadership Winter Haven Class 38 Participants
Dr. Adam Breunig, Fischer, Schemmer, Silbiger & Moraczewski, MD, PA
Kevin Carr, GM of LEGOLAND Florida Hotel & Beach Retreat
Craig Clevenger, @theClevision
Sheri Delosh, Allen & Company of FL, Inc.
Cyndi Durham, Baycare Winter Haven Hospital
Scott Eilers, City of Winter Haven Parks & Recreation
Ariel Gonzalez, City of Winter Haven Fire Department
Edward Handley, CMIT Solutions of Winter Haven
Dr. Michelle Henne, Releve Sports Medicine
Ronda Lewis, Lanier Upshaw Inc
Scott Lowdell, Country Club of Winter Haven
Lindsey Martin, Adamson & Co PA
Sarah Massey, United Way of Central Florida
Edward S. New, All Saints Academy
Donald Nunnery, City of Winter Haven Police Department
Lawrence Pakowski, Polk State College
Daniel Pfeffer, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
Sara Beth Reynolds, Theatre Winter Haven
Caroline Santiago, Tucker Paving
Shannon Serventi, LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Chris Sexson, Sun Central Media Group
Dr. Kim Thomas, Polk State College
Matthew Vegter, CenterState Bank
Nicole Walker, Polk County BoCC
Morgan Wilson, Grove Roots Brewing Company
Lindsay Zimmerman, Central Florida Development Council
Class Chair: Brian Yates, CenterState Bank, Allen & Company of FL, Inc.
Dr. Adam Breunig, Fischer, Schemmer, Silbiger & Moraczewski, MD, PA
Kevin Carr, GM of LEGOLAND Florida Hotel & Beach Retreat
Craig Clevenger, @theClevision
Sheri Delosh, Allen & Company of FL, Inc.
Cyndi Durham, Baycare Winter Haven Hospital
Scott Eilers, City of Winter Haven Parks & Recreation
Ariel Gonzalez, City of Winter Haven Fire Department
Edward Handley, CMIT Solutions of Winter Haven
Dr. Michelle Henne, Releve Sports Medicine
Ronda Lewis, Lanier Upshaw Inc
Scott Lowdell, Country Club of Winter Haven
Lindsey Martin, Adamson & Co PA
Sarah Massey, United Way of Central Florida
Edward S. New, All Saints Academy
Donald Nunnery, City of Winter Haven Police Department
Lawrence Pakowski, Polk State College
Daniel Pfeffer, MIDFLORIDA Credit Union
Sara Beth Reynolds, Theatre Winter Haven
Caroline Santiago, Tucker Paving
Shannon Serventi, LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Chris Sexson, Sun Central Media Group
Dr. Kim Thomas, Polk State College
Matthew Vegter, CenterState Bank
Nicole Walker, Polk County BoCC
Morgan Wilson, Grove Roots Brewing Company
Lindsay Zimmerman, Central Florida Development Council
Class Chair: Brian Yates, CenterState Bank, Allen & Company of FL, Inc.
Don't take our word for it, check out the photos below and the video created by LWH Class 34 Alum Steve Elias for his Graduation:
