Leadership Clark County training program accepting applications for 2023

Applications are open for the 2023 class of Leadership Clark County, a nonpartisan program training new civic leaders.

The nine-month course entails monthly sessions touching on education, economics, social services, healthy communities, and diversity, equity and inclusion policies. Sessions start Sept. 13 and will be held in-person for the first time since 2019.

“We are looking to help build the community,” said Sharon Pesut, executive director. “Talking about all those sectors is how we approach it.”

Throughout the year, students work in teams of four or five to help local partners tackle issues proposed by community members. Past projects have included helping build an Aviation Mechanics Program at the Cascadia Technical Academy, along with organizing a free community presentation on “Addiction and the Teenage Brain.”

“They learn a lot about themselves and about leading others, which I think is the biggest piece,” said Pesut.

Networking is another focal point of the program. Participants have the chance to connect with the program’s 850 alumni, along with community leaders and local business owners. In January, students take a day trip to Olympia for a session on the Legislature.

“It’s really just about people being out and about,” said Pesut. “When you’re out, you’re going to see people whether they’re sitting on boards or just going out.”

Final applicant decisions are made at the end of August, and anyone over the age of 21 is invited to apply. With a limit of 36 members, the class is already around two-thirds full, Pesut said.

“I think everybody’s looking forward to being in-person,” Pesut said.