Registration Open for 2025 Watauga Leadership Institute Cohorts

As 2024 moves toward its conclusion, now is a perfect time to consider professional development opportunities for the coming year. Registration is now open for the 2025 Watauga Leadership Institute cohorts.

Watauga Leadership Institute is a comprehensive leadership development program designed to meet our community’s need for active participation of informed and educated leaders. Graduates of WLI programs enjoy lifelong networking opportunities with over 300 program alumni. 

The 2025 experience begins with a kickoff retreat, Thursday, January 23rd, at the Appalachian Theatre of the High Country. Regular class sessions begin February 6th and will alternate every other week through April 17th. All sessions following the retreat will meet at the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce, located at 579 Greenway Rd, Suite 101, in Boone. 

“Helping members of our local business community achieve professional growth and success rests among the core elements of the mission of the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce,” said David Jackson, President/CEO. “With all we've been through in the wake of Hurricane Helene, we know community-focused leadership is what will bring us through these challenging moments. Our attendees will benefit from a strong lineup of practitioners, business owners, and local influencers throughout each course. These interactions will demonstrate how leadership truly impacts people, organizations, and the High Country as a whole.” 

The Watauga Leadership Challenge course gives participants the opportunity to broaden their understanding of leadership and to see themselves as agents of change in their associations, their places of work, their community, and in their own lives.

To develop the capacity to lead, one must have a keen sense of self awareness, an understanding of others, a recognition of how people work together in teams and organizations, and an awareness of the greater community.

Watauga Leadership Challenge strikes a balance between understanding leadership and understanding the community.  Participants will have the opportunity to visit and interact with business and community leaders who are finding ways to bring people together for change.

View the full Watauga Leadership Challenge course outline here.  

The Watauga Leadership Development course provides participants the opportunity to take a deeper dive into understanding leadership and the competencies required for effective leadership in work, community, and in life. 

The program focuses on authentic leadership and covers competencies that are critical in the leadership process.

View the full Watauga Leadership Development course outline here.  

For more information, including pricing, visit the Watauga Leadership Institute homepage, or contact the Boone Area Chamber of Commerce at 828-264-2225 for further details.