See Wichita Differently Through Leadership Wichita

How did the Leadership Wichita Program advance your leadership?

My participation in Leadership Wichita was one of the most impactful experiences of my entire career. The professional connections made with other participants, leaders of the program, and guides for the different experiences were certainly a highlight. Through the program you get to network with leaders in the business sector, government, education, and non-profit organizations, as well as many other entities that make up Wichita. You begin to see this city as a large puzzle and understand how each of its pieces fits and supports the other. Through the program, you will also identify potential missing pieces and gaps within our community. Because the entire experience is shared with the same cohort, you are continuously exposed to different viewpoints that help you become a better leader and also motivate you to be an agent of change within our community. It is certainly an experience that I will carry for life.

How has the program shaped your overall perspective?

Because of this program, I will never look at Wichita through the same lens again. The way it is structured allows you to see sides of Wichita you never have before; the great, the good, the bad, and the ugly. But seeing the amazing things that are happening in our city, as well as the different challenges we face also allows the participants to process how they can contribute towards the betterment of our community.

Wichita is an amazing city with a lot of positive things happening and tons of potential, being a part of Leadership Wichita truly allowed me to see that. But the program is not only about highlighting the positive, which is just as impactful. There is so much growth to be had in our business sector, as well as diversity and inclusion. If we recognize where we are and move towards becoming a more inclusive community, we will not fall further behind.

How has the program empowered you to strengthen the community?

Leadership Wichita is purposefully structured in a way that not only exposes participants to everything Wichita, but also inspires us to make a difference and contribute to positive changes within our city. Prior to the program I was already engaged in supporting a couple organizations in a limited capacity, but after, I was motivated to do more. Because Leadership Wichita introduces participants to many organizations and agents of change within our city, it is easy for participants to identify areas of interest and/or strengths that allows them to positively contribute towards change. In my case, since the program, I have joined the board of directors for a couple of organizations whose mission directly aligns with my interests.

What would someone miss out on by not participating in the program?

This is a great city that many natives and/or long-time transplants, like myself, don’t seem to recognize because we have lived here most of our lives. With that understanding also comes the recognition that we have so much potential and could be so be so much better. Leadership Wichita exposes participants to both sides. Our city needs leaders with vision that are willing to move us forward so that our future generations inherit a Wichita they are proud to live in. Additionally, by not participating in the program, you miss out on the opportunity to network and connect with leaders within our city from a wide array of sectors. The perspective from those leaders will truly allow you to see Wichita differently.