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 40 application.
Applications for Leadership Winter Haven Class 40 are now OPEN.
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 40 application.
Applications for Leadership Winter Haven Class 40 are now OPEN.
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 40 (classes begins in October 2019).
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)
If you have any questions regarding Leadership Winter Haven, contact Jennifer.
Tentative Schedule:
Opening Retreat (Mandatory)
Welcome Reception
Tourism
Arts in Polk County
Community Health & Hospital Services
Agriculture & Citrus
Media
Polk County Government
Education
Manufacturing/Light Industry/Technology
City of Winter Haven
Regional Impact
Tallahassee: State Government (Mandatory two-night trip)
Closing Retreat (Mandatory
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 40 (classes begins in October 2019).
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)
If you have any questions regarding Leadership Winter Haven, contact Jennifer.
Tentative Schedule:
Opening Retreat (Mandatory)
Welcome Reception
Tourism
Arts in Polk County
Community Health & Hospital Services
Agriculture & Citrus
Media
Polk County Government
Education
Manufacturing/Light Industry/Technology
City of Winter Haven
Regional Impact
Tallahassee: State Government (Mandatory two-night trip)
Closing Retreat (Mandatory
Two sample videos from Class 38's day trips
2018-2019 Leadership Winter Haven Class 39 Participants
Bo Boyte - Bank of Central Florida
Jacob Burton - Wiggins, Smit, Burby, Reineke & Co.
Lauren Donalson - Peterson & Myers
William Gross - Winter Haven Hospital
Chris Hazelwood - Your Polk County HUB
Mary Beth Hundley - Play it Again Sports
Bryan Klepper - CenterState Bank
Shannon Long - Junio Achievement of Polk County
Nick Miller - LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Devyn Montalvo - Webber International University
Mary Margaret Myers - Tucker Paving
Gemme Nash - LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Nick Plott - TECO
Alex Price - Central Florida Development Council
Lorene Rice - Winter Haven Hospital
Sabrina Robinson - Heart of Florida Physicians Group
Austin Schreiber - Century Residential
Mark Thomas - Polk county Board of County Commissioners
Rhonda Todd - GiveWell Community Foundation
Dawn VanMeter - Keller Williams Realty of Winter Haven
Lori Wilson - TECO
Meghan Young - Six/Ten LLC
Amber Weed - Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
Jeremy Voss - Springer Construction
Becky Helms - LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Class Chair: Becky Helms, LEGOLAND Florida Resorts
Bo Boyte - Bank of Central Florida
Jacob Burton - Wiggins, Smit, Burby, Reineke & Co.
Lauren Donalson - Peterson & Myers
William Gross - Winter Haven Hospital
Chris Hazelwood - Your Polk County HUB
Mary Beth Hundley - Play it Again Sports
Bryan Klepper - CenterState Bank
Shannon Long - Junio Achievement of Polk County
Nick Miller - LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Devyn Montalvo - Webber International University
Mary Margaret Myers - Tucker Paving
Gemme Nash - LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Nick Plott - TECO
Alex Price - Central Florida Development Council
Lorene Rice - Winter Haven Hospital
Sabrina Robinson - Heart of Florida Physicians Group
Austin Schreiber - Century Residential
Mark Thomas - Polk county Board of County Commissioners
Rhonda Todd - GiveWell Community Foundation
Dawn VanMeter - Keller Williams Realty of Winter Haven
Lori Wilson - TECO
Meghan Young - Six/Ten LLC
Amber Weed - Winter Haven Chamber of Commerce
Jeremy Voss - Springer Construction
Becky Helms - LEGOLAND Florida Resort
Class Chair: Becky Helms, LEGOLAND Florida Resorts
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:
