Greater Raleigh Chamber Blog

The Raleigh Chamber welcomes our Summer 2023 Emerging Leaders Class Cohort. Our selected Emerging Leaders are high performers, exhibit the willingness to learn and grow, demonstrate people-building skills, are centered by their core values, and work to unite others and help them to see possibilities that benefit their organizations, communities, and region.

Emerging Leaders, with Consultant Jennifer Grote at the introductory class discovering their Strengths Finders Assessments top traits and how they use these to thrive in the workplace.
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In order of picture: Jennifer Fox, City of Raleigh; Casandra McLaurin, Wake Technical Community College; Gabe Cunningham,  APG Advisors; John Hillenbrand, Messer Construction; Rochelle Whitaker, Wake County Government; Andrew Holland, Clancy & Theys Construction; Joseph Henderson, NC Biotechnology Center; Tobias Morgan, Shaw University; Jennifer Grote, Consultant; Kellie Renzi, McDonald & York; Alex Rouse, Stewart; Sandra Kamholz, Wake Technical Community College; Tierra Bethel, RTI International; Carlie Wallin, Barringer Construction; Abbey Defoe, Special Olympics; Monique Merriweather-Yarborough, Wake County Government; Angela Williams, Wake County Government; Brianna Reeder, Wolfspeed.

Emerging Leaders connects promising professionals with the area’s most successful executives for a unique and interactive mentoring program. Guest speakers for the second cohort include:

• Virginia Parker, Senior Vice President and Triangle Market Executive at Bank of America
• Marchell Adams-David, Raleigh City Manager
• Scott Duckworth, Regional President for Brasfield & Gorrie
• Brian Reid, President at TowneBank Triangle
• Abha Bowers, CEO of Walk West along with Matt Chambers, Vice President of Project Development at Clancy & Theys Construction Company
• Danny Rosin, President and Co-Owner of Brandfuel and Co-Founder of Band Together

​The Raleigh Chamber is honored to provide leadership programs and resources in the Triangle region to sustain and further develop a thriving economy and enhance our community's quality of life.
While applications are no longer being accepted for Emerging Leaders there are several opportunities to get involved and connect with leadership through the Raleigh Chamber. Young professionals can find new opportunities through our Young Professionals Network and seasoned executives who are members of the Chamber can register to attend our two-day Annual Leadership Conference, presented by Towne Bank, in Wilmington this August! You can also keep an eye out for the next Emerging Leaders application cycle later this summer.

The Raleigh Chamber is thrilled to announce the 22 local professionals with exceptional leadership potential that were accepted into the May-July 2022 Emerging Leaders cohort. Throughout the program, participants will gain the skills and knowledge to propel their careers and receive personal leadership insight from local and statewide C-Level professionals.
 
Emerging Leaders connects promising professionals with the area’s most successful executives for a unique and interactive mentoring program. In addition to the guest speaker’s personal leadership journey, below is a list of topics that will be covered in the program:

• Advocating for yourself
• The importance of networking
• Conflict resolution
• The importance of Emotional Intelligence at the C-Suite level
• The importance of company culture/employee relationships
• Servant leadership

 
Guest speakers:

• Matt Chambers, Senior Director of Corporate Project Development, Clancy & Theys Construction Company
• Candice Webb, Senior Learning & Development Specialist, SAS Institute, Inc.
• Cheryl Scanlan, CEO, C3Advantage
• Gary Greene, President and CEO, Greene Resources

 
Session 1
Tuesday, May 17
 
Session 2
Tuesday, May 31
 
Session 3
Tuesday, June 14
 
Session 4
Tuesday, June 28 
 
Session 5
Tuesday, July 5
 
Happy Hour Closing Session
Tuesday, July 19

By Bill O'Boyle
CEO, North State Consulting



I was humbled when Citrix nominated me to the Emerging Leaders Program. I must admit that, at first, I saw it as a networking opportunity and a resume builder. I was honored and excited by the opportunity, but I grossly underestimated the impact this program would have. I had the opportunity to learn from some of the most purpose driven leaders in the area, develop long lasting relationships with amazing peers, and learn how I could better serve the community.
 
This format of the program is amazing. The leaders were not selected simply from financial success. The common thread was selfless service and leading a purpose driven life although I doubt that was ever prompted.  We did not hear endless stories of how they worked 15 hour days for 20 years to “achieve.” Instead, we heard countless stories of their people and the platforms they created. I do not recall an exec bragging about a recent stock price but I do remember many stories of how proud of the impact their firm or institution had on the community and the people they served.    
 
Each leader was amazing but one stood out from the moment I met him: Dr. Everett Ward, president of St. Augustine’s University. Dr. Ward is a man who walks with a purpose in every step he takes. Dr. Ward was born on the HBCU he graduated from and now is tasked to resurrect. I saw firsthand what it meant for a leader to selfishly serve a mission and inspire all those around him to do the same. He faced many challenges upon accepting the position and he did address some of them. However, he spent the time helping us understand the generations of pride that surround you as soon as you enter the truly remarkable university. He graciously gave us a tour while he greeted every single student, faculty, and staff member by first name that walked by. I have been back to St. Aug's several times, called on Dr. Ward for advice, and also formed an official partnership with Citrix. I would not have had that opportunity without this program, and I am extremely grateful.

​I also made long lasting friendships with classmates. Allison Warren Barber was the senior vice president of the Greater Triangle United Way. We quickly realized there was an opportunity for us to work together in the community. As with most nonprofits, there is often a shortage of resources. This is true with financial capital and human capital. We decided to address both. At the time, I led a team of nine that structured complex, strategic partnerships with other software companies. That often involved creating joint go-to-market strategies. We decided to use our human capital to develop the go-to-market strategy for Innovate United. We wanted to increase participation and increase donations so we applied the same methodologies in the tech industry. Our team absolutely loved the experience of working with the United Way and the program was a huge success. That model has been taught to other United Way and businesses across the country. Allison is now the CEO of the Seattle-area United Way, and I have served on the Community Engagement Committee for two years. That is all thanks to the Emerging Leaders Program.
 
I was inspired by the program to also attend Leadership North Carolina. I now have my own company and can proudly say we have 14 employees here in Raleigh. I am honored to have graduated from the program and now serve on the Chamber's Small Business Advisory Board. The Chamber is an invaluable part of our community and look forward to sending our first applicant to the program this quarter.

The Chamber is currently recruiting for the 2017 Emerging Leaders program. Two classes will take place this year, and the deadline to apply is March 27. Learn more here.