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Leadership Greater Madison (LGM)

Great community leadership starts here

Applications are now open for our next LGM class! This application cycle is for individuals looking to participate in the LGM33 cohort, which will run from September 2026 through June 2027.

Applications are open June 1 through July 17. The cohort will be announced in August.

Interested in learning more? Join us at an upcoming info session to chat with program coordinators, current LGM participants, and LGM alumni.

June 16, 4:30-6:00 p.m. – Happy Hour Social & Information Session – M3 Insurance (828 John Nolen Drive)
July 8, 8:30-10:00 a.m. – Coffee Social & Information Session – Chamber Office (33 E. Main St., Suite 307)

For all other questions, consult the Program Guidelines linked above or reach out to Program Director Lynn Wood at lwood@wcgpr.com.

ABOUT LGM

People — enthusiastic, engaged and empowered — make Greater Madison a vibrant place to live and work. For more than three decades, community leaders have benefited from the education and training provided by LGM.

LGM provides civic education, community issue literacy and leadership development to individuals from business, non-profit, government and educational organizations who live or work in the region. Monthly day-long sessions held at various locations help participants gain insight and understanding about significant local organizations and community issues. The program includes three key components: experiential learning activities to build participants’ skills, meaningful connections with local officials, subject-matter experts and classmates, and networking to strengthen leadership capacity.

Over the past 32 years, LGM has helped prepare more than 900 graduates to become more effective community leaders and valued professionals.

Diversity is our strength. We strive for inclusivity and seek to engage individuals from groups that have historically been underrepresented within leadership positions. We actively recruit and offer scholarships to support this mission and encourage individuals from all backgrounds to apply.

LGM VISION

A thriving region led by motivated, informed and connected community stewards committed to addressing our most pressing challenges and capitalizing on opportunities to build a stronger Greater Madison.

LGM MISSION

To inform, connect and engage individuals with a desire to lead so they are motivated and ready to address the community’s most pressing challenges, capitalize on opportunities, and build an inclusive, thriving Greater Madison.

THE LGM EXPERIENCE BUILDS LEADERS THAT ARE:

  • Informed: Participants will explore and more deeply understand the community, its structures and functions, and the many facets of Greater Madison’s most important issues and opportunities.
  • Connected: Participants will build personal and professional relationships with access to business, community and elected leaders throughout their time in the program and after graduation.
  • Engaged: Participants will obtain the skills and the tools to interact with the region’s challenges and opportunities in a curious, intentional and forward-thinking way.
  • Motivated: Participants will be encouraged to observe, learn and practice critical leadership skills throughout the program, instilling an urgency to activate their skills to better the community.
  • Ready: Participants will leave the program with a heightened self-awareness and confidence in their capacity to lead and their role in building a thriving Greater Madison.

LGM VALUES

  • Curiosity: interest in and openness to learning and exploring multiple facets and perspectives of important community issues
  • Commitment: dedication to getting involved, stepping up to lead and not being content with the status quo
  • Collaboration: recognition of the value of coordinated action, engaging others and seeking connection in the pursuit of solutions to challenges
  • Character: adherence to the highest standards for oneself and others and acting in a manner becoming of a leader

LGM32 PARTICIPANTS

Michael Beeler
Madison Gas and Electric Company
Brandon Blackmer
Southland Development Authority
Joey Broms
Baer Insurance Services, Inc.
Fatou Ceesay
Cairasu Home Care
Julio Garcia
Latino Academy of Workforce Development
Nick Harnish
Badgerland Girl Scouts
Amber Heidenreich
Turke & Steil LLP
Scott Hird
Baker Tilly
Jerad Hoefer
First Business Bank
Jimmy Imoehl
City of Madison Police Department
Kyle Joseph
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Sean Kleinwolterink
Wings Credit Union
Karin Krause
Hope & A Future III Inc.
Audra Lange
Wisconsin Chamber Orchestra
Eric Lauria-Banta
Foley & Lardner LLP
Traci Mandell
M3 Insurance
Tim Mathison
Slipstream
Paige Mazanet
FPC Live
Joy McMerty
Old National Bank
Laura Meza
Latino Academy of Workforce Development
Ashley Micklos
Wisconsin ESL Institute (WESLI)
Jamal Palmer
Madison College
Josue Piedra-Gomez
M3 Insurance
Cheryl Piontek
WPS
Dean Prestegaard
DMP Development Analytics
Taylor Rozman
WayForward Resources
Connor Schessler
Madison Development Corporation
Sydney Smith
Syd the Muralist
Matt Stadelman
JH Findorff & Son, Inc.
Lindsay Stephan
Boys & Girls Clubs of Dane County
Melissa Wolter
HGA