(FLINT, Mich., March 14, 2016) – Fourteen high-potential business and nonprofit professionals have been selected to participate in Leadership NOW, an intensive, year-long leadership development program offered through the Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of Genesee County.
The participants selected for the second cohort, which begins March 17, represent a wide variety of current and emerging leaders who work and/or live in Genesee County and have experience in the private, public or nonprofit sectors.
“These participants have shown us they are committed to improving Genesee County and are willing to stretch their capacity as leaders,” said George Wilkinson, Group Vice President at the Flint & Genesee Chamber. “In addition to aiding each participant in his or her own personal and professional development, we aim to develop a network of local leaders who speak a common language around leadership and can confidently spearhead collaborative initiatives in our community.”
As part of Leadership NOW, each participant will undergo an in-depth leadership assessment, 10 hours of one-on-one coaching and 72 hours of training. Participants will also develop and implement a collaborative project that addresses a challenge, reduces costs or improves a procedure for local businesses, nonprofits and/or municipalities.
According to Jenni Dones, Program Manager for BEST Project at United Way of Genesee County, the program has been compared to taking a masters-level course by previous participants and facilitators.
“We bring in experts from a range of leadership and management fields to talk about subjects such as managing a diverse team and creating a culture of inquiry,” Dones said. “By the time this program ends, each participant will have a thorough understanding of their personal leadership styles and how to create effective professional partnerships.”
This year’s participants include:
- Stacy Betts (Burton), Director of PTAC, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
- Connie Brauer (Goodrich), Administrative Assistant, Local Initiative Support Corporation in Flint
- Bethany Collins (Flint), Site Coordinator, Metro Community Development in Flint
- Loren Crandell (Grand Blanc), Partner, Giffels Webster in Birmingham
- Leon El-Alamin (Flint), CEO, MADE Institute in Flint
- Lisa Fockler (Grand Blanc), Owner, Remedy Exchange in Grand Blanc
- Matthew Frierson (Grand Blanc), Project Coordinator, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Flint
- Lucille James (Flint), Demolition Program Manager and Database Administrator, Genesee County Land Bank Authority
- Claudnyse D. Jenkins (Southfield), Executive Director, Weiss Child Advocacy Center in Flint
- Carmelita Lewis (Flint), Community Program Director, Neighborhood Engagement Hub in Flint
- Jaclyn Metcalfe (Flint), Visitor Services Manager, Flint Children’s Museum
- Adil Mohammed, of Swartz Creek, is Co-founder of Med+IT Systems, Flint
- Justin Sprague (Fenton), Director of Business Development, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
- Alaina Wiens (Linden), Director of Marketing, Flint & Genesee Chamber of Commerce
To learn more about each participant, click here.
For more information about the program, contact Jenni Dones at or 810-762-5822, or Michelle Hill at or 810-600-1423.