Leadership Kenosha was launched in September 1998 with the first class of participants graduating in May 1999. The idea for a community leadership program rose from the need to develop emerging leaders in Kenosha. The Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce, led by Patrick Guard, formed a steering committee to develop a “hands-on” program that would build leadership skills as well as provide an overview of the community and its assets.
From the beginning the core foundation for the program has consisted of three components: development of leadership skills, enhancement of awareness of community issues, and participation in small group community projects.
Over the last eighteen years approximately 311 individuals have graduated from Leadership Kenosha. Alumni have gone on to serve in numerous leadership roles in Kenosha County including Kenosha County Board of Supervisors, Kenosha Unified School District Board, CUSH President, Kiwanis President, and KEA Union President.
2017-18 Steering Committee
Laurie B. Yake
Aurora Health Care
Vice-Chair
Robert (Bobby) Nash
ResCare Workforce Services
Secretary
Cynthia Brown
Educators Credit Union
Alumni Chair
Hannah Keller
The Prairie School
KACC Board Liaison
Doug Bartz
Kenosha County Job Center
Marketing/Recruitment Co-Chair
AnnaLisa Nelson, Aurora Health Care
Samantha Sullivan
Scholarship Fund Development Chair
Heather Kraeuter
Racine Unified School District
Uline
Jerry Gulley II
Edlogics
Kristie Matteau
Kenosha Achievement Center
William (Bill) Whyte
Gateway Technical College
Edwin Clark
Gateway Technical College
Jason Pruitt
Carthage College
Lou Molitor
Kenosha Area Chamber of Commerce
Debra Karp
UW-Parkside