The Women’s Network Community Leadership Institute (CLI) is a program in partnership with Women’s Network of Northeast Ohio and Leadership Akron. The program is designed for women professionals who want to expand their leadership skills, while incorporating community awareness and involvement. Sessions are held at various nonprofit organizations and/or venues, allowing participants a chance to be exposed to work being done by community-oriented organizations in the Akron area.

The CLI focuses on four key leadership traits:

• Strategic Thinking
• Executing
• Influence
• Relationship Building

Community Leadership Institute Topics
After a full-day opening retreat, where each participant focuses on their own strengths assessment, each session will focus on one of four dimensions of leadership: vision and strategic thinking, relationship building, delivering results, influence/advocacy. Below is a sampling of learning experiences from past classes for each of the topics:

Vision and Strategic Thinking: Adele Roth, Deputy Director of Planning and Economic Development for the City of Akron and Suzie Graham, President of Downtown Akron Partnership review and explain the vision, strategies and construction projects pointed at re-visioning Akron.

Delivering Results: Linda Conrad, President Emeritus, of Stan Hywet Hall & Gardens, discussed how to go from planning to execution in stabilizing the organization’s sustainability and moving the organization forward.

Relationship-Building: Derran Wimer, CEO of Summit Education Initiative and Sue Lacy, CEO of ConXusNEO, emphasized how trusting relationships are the foundation for collaboration across organizations and sectors.

Influence/Advocacy: Julie Brandle, President of Metis Construction and Kirsten Lino, Akron Business Banking Team Leader of Huntington National Bank, discussed how to use your strengths to excel in your career as well for the community.

The WN/CLI also features the work of Cindy Biggs, CPCC, ACC a certified coach and trainer who uses the StrengthsFinder 2.0 assessment, and an opportunity for each participants to complete a Strengths Profile as another lens to inform her growth and development as a leader.

The 2018 Fall Women’s Network CLI will be held on the following Thursdays from
8:00 a.m. – 1:30 p.m. with the exception of the full day Opening Session
September 13 (full day)
September 27
October 4
October 18
November 1
November 15

The application deadline is Wednesday, August 15th at 5 p.m.