LMC’s Kristin Bayer is one of 18 emerging leaders to complete this year’s Leadership West Bend program. Run by the West Bend Chamber of Commerce, Leadership West Bend is a nine-month program designed to allow participants to discover and better understand the community they live in and to develop as leaders and citizens.
The program begins in September with a 2-day retreat. In each subsequent month, participants take part in full-day programs, exploring the city, networking with community leaders, and getting a behind-the-scenes look at how the community runs. Each program day follows a theme, and includes in-depth visits to area non-profits, government agencies, and businesses, for a deeper understanding of all the facets of a well-functioning city. Themes include: public safety, environment, history and culture, health and wellness, education, human services and business.
“There is so much that happens in this city that we depend on that I was never really aware of,” said Kristin. “I’ve lived here for years, but I’d never seen the county jail, or the water treatment plant, or the sculpture garden at West Bend Mutual. I never knew the extent of the programs that NAMI runs, or understood what it takes to make sure that children in our community have enough to eat.”
In addition to the program days, participants work on small group projects throughout the year in aid of a local non-profit. The projects give group members an opportunity to learn more about serving on a board of directors, to dive more deeply into understanding and serving local needs, and to develop a deeper commitment to community service. Teams are matched with an agency’s mentor, and an Alumni Association board member. Kristin’s project group worked with Life of Hope, a suicide prevention organization. Other groups worked on projects with Casa Guadalupe, The Threshold, Lac Lawrann Conservancy, and Senior Citizens Activities, Inc. Interested organizations can contact the Chamber about participating.
LMC’s founder and principal Laura Mitchell is an alum of the program that her grandmother helped create. The program, now in its 30th year, is designed for anyone who is employed or living in West Bend, who has a desire to serve the community in a leadership role. Application information is available on the Chamber website.
“I found the program so valuable in terms of making connections and learning the important role of giving back that makes our city thrive,” said Laura. “I’ve always been an advocate for this program, and I knew Kristin would have a great experience.”
Other graduates from this year’s class include Dustin Becker (West Bend Police Dept.), Sara Davister (West Bend Community Memorial Library), Brenda Ehrlich (Inspire, Washington County), Stephanie Grenzer (Commerce State Bank), Thecla Harris (Habitat for Humanity), Stephen Houdek (American Construction Services), Jackie Kaehny (Froedtert Health), Emila Klos (Shooting Star Travels), Victoria Lewis (Northwestern Mutual), Justice Madl (Do Your Hair Justice and City Alderman), Kate Nickel (FRIENDS, Inc.), Jake Punzenberger (Wells Fargo Advisors), Katie Rabuck (National Exchange Bank and Trust), Ashley Reichert (Washington County Clerk), Clare Robbe (Interfaith Caregivers of Wash. Co), Kelly Shafaie (Moraine Park Technical College), and Tracy Thom (West Bend Mutual Insurance).
Located in downtown West Bend, LMC is a full-service guerrilla marketing and business development shop focused on social media, website design, SEO, strategic planning, creative campaigns, PR and copywriting. www.lmcllc.us | 262-429-1401 | info@lmcllc.us | @laurahmitchell
