BY KATIE MARSH
“Inspiring Community Leaders to Service”
Clemmons and Lewisville are growing, suburban communities that attract people who may often work elsewhere but choose to live, raise families, and play in Lewisville and Clemmons. It is a unique and desirable geographic market for businesses and residents alike. The Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce, with support from the Clemmons Community Foundation and an Alumni Action Learning Team from Leadership Winston-Salem, are launching Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons to cultivate its next generation of leaders as the community grows. Graduates will become a cohesive network of informed, connected, and engaged leaders who want to be part of shaping the future of these communities.
The term “leadership” conjures many feelings and ideas, but at the root of true leadership – there’s heart: servant leadership. And the volunteers who began the Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons project over a year ago are people who genuinely love the Lewisville and Clemmons communities.
Founding committee members include:
- Mike Horn, Lewisville mayor
- John Bost, Former mayor of Clemmons
- Dan Pugh, former mayor, of Lewisville
- Sandi Scannelli, President and CEO of Clemmons Community Foundation
- Mary Cameron, Former councilwoman and current councilwoman candidate for the Village of Clemmons
- Tim Bell, Director, Property Management & Operations, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center and member of the Clemmons Community Foundation Board of Directors
- Bo Houff, attorney at Blanco Tackabery Attorneys at Law, Town of Lewisville
- CJ Johnson, president and general manager of DASH
- Heather King, Chief Nursing Officer, Director of Operations, Novant Health Clemmons Medical Center
- Ditra Miller, Executive Director, Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce
- Jimmy Smith, Fiduciary Advisory Specialist, Wells Fargo Private bank
In June 2019, the program was adopted by the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce. “Sandi Scannelli planted the seed of Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons with me when I came on board with the Chamber as the executive director last July, and I’m so glad that she did,” states Ditra Miller. “Through our partnership and the teamwork of our founding committee, the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce can offer this immersive leadership program to current leaders and future leaders of our community.”
Denise Heidel, a writer for Forsyth Magazines and owner of The Office Nerd Virtual Assistant, was hired as Project Coordinator for Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons. “This is an exciting program,” shared Denise. “I’m excited to help facilitate this year-long vision into a reality. As a Clemmons resident myself, and a member of the Lewisville-Clemmons Chamber of Commerce, it’s exciting to see a program launch that will be an investment for the future of our community.
“The founding committee members recognize the value of a leadership program such as this one in the community,” continued Denise. “Mike, John, Dan, Mary, Bo, CJ, Tim, and Jimmy are all graduates of Leadership Winston-Salem. Sandi is a graduate of Leadership Brevard in Florida, and Heather is a graduate of Leadership Rowan. Collectively, the committee is organized by a group who have first-hand experience of the impact a leadership program can have on a community and a person’s personal and professional development.”
The program begins in October and concludes the following June. The inaugural year pricing is $675, which is possible thanks to the generous sponsorship of Novant Health and Marzano Capital Group. “Our sponsors’ belief in Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons, even before the class has begun, is a testament to the community pride and belief that there’s really something special here,” said Denise. “We are excited that the inaugural class of Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons will be able to enjoy this discounted program, thanks to the scholarship that has been put in place on the front end.”
For more information about Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons, please visit LeadershipLC.com or email Denise at Denise@LeadershipLC.com.
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Participant Benefits
Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons (LLC) is a personal and professional development program that will build a cohesive group of new and emerging leaders. What’s in it for you? Graduates will:
- Better understand the communities, history, and priorities, how these communities function, the market these communities represent, and the current opportunities and challenges
- Develop new, strong, and meaningful relationships with the diverse assembly of other professionals and community leaders attending
- Connect to local graduates from other area leadership programs
- Learn and experience practical tools, resources, and information to navigate current and future decisions, whether business, personal or community decisions
- Become energized about community engagement, servant leadership, and invest as residents, employees, and businesses who collaborate to make a difference
- Interact in leadership, communication, problem-solving, team skills and enhanced confidence to effect positive improvements
- Connect with established formal and informal leaders of these communities
Employer Benefits
Professional development opportunities are important to attracting and retaining younger workers. To send an employee to a conference for just a few days can easily exceed $1,000, including the cost of the conference and travel expenses. After the conference, what is the practical and lasting outcome? With Leadership Lewisville-Clemmons, employees develop and practice new and enhanced professional skills over time, with follow-up, and with local peer accountability. The outcomes include:
- Relevant learning about your geographic market, leadership and team skills, project planning and management
- Practical skill development and practice
- A local professional network of referral sources, accountability partners, and other connections who share the desire to support and encourage your employee
- Elevated business profile among leaders in the local community
