Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association
The Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association (LRAA) serves as a resource for nonprofit and governmental agencies seeking volunteers or making board/commission appointments. At the heart of the Leadership Raleigh program is helping participants find ways they can make an impact in our community. Graduates of our program have gone on to serve on the Raleigh City Council, Wake County Board of Education, and countless other nonprofit boards and/or commissions.
Graduates of Leadership Raleigh meet regularly to stay connected on current issues and challenges in the area and to network. Networking provides an opportunity to meet leaders from business, government, and nonprofits who want to give back to the community.
The Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association offers all graduates the opportunity to be active participants in Leadership Raleigh long after they have completed the program.
Participation on a committee or as a board member is welcomed and encouraged. Please consider joining a committee or volunteering on the board by contacting Shana Overdorf.
Leadership Raleigh Mission:
Provide a recognized source of leadership talent for the community and to present opportunities for Raleigh Chamber members to meet and to keep abreast of business and community issues. Over a ten-month period, participants receive an in-depth view of community issues, develop leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles, and are exposed to community involvement opportunities through a final service project. Leadership Raleigh truly shows participants a “ground up” view of the interworking’s of our community.
This year our 2022-2023 strategic goals and objectives are:
Testimonials
I entered Leadership Raleigh almost 10 years ago not knowing what to expect. The program provided a full year of truly learning what makes Raleigh such a great place to live and work as you experience areas you may never otherwise visit and hear from leaders that make a difference in our community every day. Today, I continue to benefit from my year in Leadership Raleigh through the ongoing connections and friendships that came from our time together.
Jim Hansen, LR 21
PNC
Leadership Raleigh provided me an exceptional opportunity to interact and build lasting relationships with business and nonprofit leaders. In Leadership Raleigh, I gained an in-depth understanding of issues facing our community though dynamic presentations and tours. Leadership Raleigh has put me in a great position to contribute to Raleigh's future.
Ashley Perkinson, LR 28
Perkinson Law Firm, PA
Leadership Raleigh offered me a unique opportunity to gain access and insight into critical social, economic, and governmental issues impacting our community and how we do business. Throughout the nine-month program I was challenged to explore myriad topics with classmates and local leaders from different academic and professional backgrounds and with varied views on social, economic, and political issues. The experience afforded me the opportunity to enhance how I think about and solve challenges in my business, to develop new relationships, and to identify ways to collaborate with members of different organizations to positively impact the community in which we live and work.
O’Hara Macken, LR 29
Ipreo
Participating in the Leadership Raleigh program was and continues to be a life altering experience for me. Although I grew up in Raleigh, I quickly found out how much I did not know about my city and my community. Leadership Raleigh exposed myself and 52 classmates to a wealth of information, contacts, history, and needs in the community that we live in. I was inspired monthly by the themes that were covered and moved to do my part to make a difference as well as inform those around me of what I had learned. Another gem of this program was the connections made among the other professionals in my Leadership 29 class. There were professional relationships developed that otherwise would not have been possible and most importantly, friendships that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I am often reminded of this great experience every time I run into a classmate. I strongly recommend this program to all professionals seeking to go above and beyond and make a difference in Raleigh.
Kim Johnson, LR 29
Wake County Medical Society - Community Health Foundation
When I think back on my Leadership Raleigh experience, it is with true appreciation. I have lived in Wake County my entire life, and thought that I knew all about our community. Leadership Raleigh was able to open my eyes to so many amazing things happening in our city. I was also able to connect to 53 other community leaders who will forever be deeply connected through this fantastic program. Bottom line, Leadership Raleigh will allow you to deepen your roots and develop a better understanding of our community.
Matt Strickland, LR 29
Band Together
Leadership Raleigh was an eye opening experience for me. As a participant, we had the opportunity to get the behind the scenes perspective of Raleigh and Wake County. I now have a better understanding of the issues our community faces and the opportunities it presents. I also gained new professional contacts and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Rob Wright, LR 29
Newcomb and Company
Leadership Raleigh is undoubtedly one of the most worthwhile things I have done since I moved back to the area. I learned a lot about the city and expanded my network while making great friends. It’s well worth your time and resources!
Charles Phaneuf, LR 28
Raleigh Little Theatre
Questions?
Email leadershipraleigh@raleighchamber.org
Graduates of Leadership Raleigh meet regularly to stay connected on current issues and challenges in the area and to network. Networking provides an opportunity to meet leaders from business, government, and nonprofits who want to give back to the community.
The Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association offers all graduates the opportunity to be active participants in Leadership Raleigh long after they have completed the program.
Participation on a committee or as a board member is welcomed and encouraged. Please consider joining a committee or volunteering on the board by contacting Shana Overdorf.
Leadership Raleigh Mission:
Provide a recognized source of leadership talent for the community and to present opportunities for Raleigh Chamber members to meet and to keep abreast of business and community issues. Over a ten-month period, participants receive an in-depth view of community issues, develop leadership skills necessary to assume leadership roles, and are exposed to community involvement opportunities through a final service project. Leadership Raleigh truly shows participants a “ground up” view of the interworking’s of our community.
This year our 2022-2023 strategic goals and objectives are:
- Leadership Raleigh Alumni Association will encourage Leadership Raleigh graduates to assume more significant leadership roles in the Greater Raleigh community.
- Frequent communication and engagement with alumni and current classes
- Internal and external communications
- Utilize social media platforms, (specifically LinkedIn) to connect with former Leadership Raleigh alum.
- Consistent board communication of updates, expectations, and goals
- Commitment to raise money for the John Freehafer Scholarship Fund
- Increase participation with Leadership Raleigh classes
- Engagement, recruitment, and retention of Leadership Raleigh participants and alumni
Testimonials
I entered Leadership Raleigh almost 10 years ago not knowing what to expect. The program provided a full year of truly learning what makes Raleigh such a great place to live and work as you experience areas you may never otherwise visit and hear from leaders that make a difference in our community every day. Today, I continue to benefit from my year in Leadership Raleigh through the ongoing connections and friendships that came from our time together.
Jim Hansen, LR 21
PNC
Leadership Raleigh provided me an exceptional opportunity to interact and build lasting relationships with business and nonprofit leaders. In Leadership Raleigh, I gained an in-depth understanding of issues facing our community though dynamic presentations and tours. Leadership Raleigh has put me in a great position to contribute to Raleigh's future.
Ashley Perkinson, LR 28
Perkinson Law Firm, PA
Leadership Raleigh offered me a unique opportunity to gain access and insight into critical social, economic, and governmental issues impacting our community and how we do business. Throughout the nine-month program I was challenged to explore myriad topics with classmates and local leaders from different academic and professional backgrounds and with varied views on social, economic, and political issues. The experience afforded me the opportunity to enhance how I think about and solve challenges in my business, to develop new relationships, and to identify ways to collaborate with members of different organizations to positively impact the community in which we live and work.
O’Hara Macken, LR 29
Ipreo
Participating in the Leadership Raleigh program was and continues to be a life altering experience for me. Although I grew up in Raleigh, I quickly found out how much I did not know about my city and my community. Leadership Raleigh exposed myself and 52 classmates to a wealth of information, contacts, history, and needs in the community that we live in. I was inspired monthly by the themes that were covered and moved to do my part to make a difference as well as inform those around me of what I had learned. Another gem of this program was the connections made among the other professionals in my Leadership 29 class. There were professional relationships developed that otherwise would not have been possible and most importantly, friendships that I will carry with me for a lifetime. I am often reminded of this great experience every time I run into a classmate. I strongly recommend this program to all professionals seeking to go above and beyond and make a difference in Raleigh.
Kim Johnson, LR 29
Wake County Medical Society - Community Health Foundation
When I think back on my Leadership Raleigh experience, it is with true appreciation. I have lived in Wake County my entire life, and thought that I knew all about our community. Leadership Raleigh was able to open my eyes to so many amazing things happening in our city. I was also able to connect to 53 other community leaders who will forever be deeply connected through this fantastic program. Bottom line, Leadership Raleigh will allow you to deepen your roots and develop a better understanding of our community.
Matt Strickland, LR 29
Band Together
Leadership Raleigh was an eye opening experience for me. As a participant, we had the opportunity to get the behind the scenes perspective of Raleigh and Wake County. I now have a better understanding of the issues our community faces and the opportunities it presents. I also gained new professional contacts and friendships that will last a lifetime.
Rob Wright, LR 29
Newcomb and Company
Leadership Raleigh is undoubtedly one of the most worthwhile things I have done since I moved back to the area. I learned a lot about the city and expanded my network while making great friends. It’s well worth your time and resources!
Charles Phaneuf, LR 28
Raleigh Little Theatre
Questions?
Email leadershipraleigh@raleighchamber.org
