CLN Welcomes the Class of 2023

The Chautauqua Leadership Network (CLN) welcomes the Class of 2023. The year-long leadership development program kicked off February 17 and 18 with the inaugural Retreat at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel in Celoron. The event is led by Dr. Kirk Young, VP of Student Affairs at SUNY Jamestown Community College and owner/consultant of 221b Performance Solutions, and Dr. Kyle Reyes, VP of Institutional Advancement at Utah Valley University.

“The retreat sets the tone for the rest of the year,” explains Young. “It endows you with the education, the skills, that you can build on.”

Class participation is at an all-time high, with this year’s number of applications resulting in a waiting list. The Class of 2023 will continue to meet each month during the year to build their skills through sessions on self-awareness, team building, creativity, communication, and the natural networking that results from CLN’s efforts to build leaders in Chautauqua County.

Chautauqua Leadership Network is a volunteer-based non-profit. CLN’s mission is to identify and nurture regional leaders, provide a framework for an emerging network of skilled civic trustees and help our communities meet the challenges of today and the opportunities of tomorrow. CLN has created a robust network, which enriches each member and enhances local resources. Since 1993, more than 650 local leaders have passed through the Chautauqua Leadership Network leadership development program.

For more information, visit ChautauquaLeadership.org or call 716-338-1555.

Class picture:
Row 1 (left to right)  – Stephanie Williams, Dr. Kyle Reyes (facilitator), Joalexis Martir, Dr. Kirk Young (facilitator), Kortney Santilli, Terri Crandall, Lindsay Eckman.
Row 2 (left to right) – Karie Hayes, Cait Gustafson, Makayla Santiago-Froebel, Cienna Simon, Jason Basile, Heather White, Willow Fodor, Lisa Sunday, Danielle Bertolini, Jennifer Obert, Karen Russell.
Row 3 (left to right) – Melissa Potter, Megan Arnone-Eckwahl, Steven Olson, Lindsay Hubbard, Jason Toczydlowski.
Row 4 (left to right) – Vito Randazzo, Tony Frangione, Jacob Hordych, Zulma Johnson, Graham Tedesco-Blair, Damian Jackson, Will Pekrul, Tye Flurie, Alex Pickett.

The Class of 2023 Retreat In Pictures

Chautauqua Leadership Network Announces New Officers & Board of Directors Members At Annual Meeting

MAYVILLE [Dec. 12, 2022] – The Chautauqua Leadership Network (CLN) held its Annual Meeting, Monday, Dec. 12 at Webb’s Captain Table in Mayville. CLN members gathered to review the year, elect Officers and Board of Directors, and celebrate in holiday cheer.

The keynote, presented by outgoing President, Craig Garaas-Johnson reflected on the organization’s inspiring mission. “CLN belongs to these future leaders here of Chautauqua County. If CLN matters it is because of the leaders we produce and what they do in the community. We’ll be judged by what we build today, the legacy that we leave, and not simply by the traditions that we held.”

In 2022, CLN graduated 33 leaders through a year-long leadership development program. Each participant grew and developed competencies in self-awareness, creative leadership, team building, communications, and many other in-demand leadership skills. The class cohort format also builds lasting network relationships. Founded in 1993, alumni can be found all-across business, education, government and non-profit sectors in Chautauqua County collaborating together on civic projects.

 L to R – Sarah Kahn, Secretary; Cynde Johnson, President; Donna Flinchbaugh, Co-Treasurer; Tim Piazza, Craig Garaas-Johnson, Trenton Lutes, Christopher Taverna – Board of Directors; Brian LeBarron, Vice-President

 

MAYVILLE [Dec. 12, 2022] – The Chautauqua Leadership Network (CLN) held its Annual Meeting, Monday, Dec. 12 at Webb’s Captain Table in Mayville. CLN members gathered to review the year, elect Officers and Board of Directors, and celebrate in holiday cheer.

 

The keynote, presented by outgoing President, Craig Garaas-Johnson reflected on the organization’s inspiring mission. “CLN belongs to these future leaders here of Chautauqua County. If CLN matters it is because of the leaders we produce and what they do in the community. We’ll be judged by what we build today, the legacy that we leave, and not simply by the traditions that we held.”

 

In 2022, CLN graduated 33 leaders through a year-long leadership development program. Each participant grew and developed competencies in self-awareness, creative leadership, team building, communications, and many other in-demand leadership skills. The class cohort format also builds lasting network relationships. Founded in 1993, alumni can be found all-across business, education, government and non-profit sectors in Chautauqua County collaborating together on civic projects.

 

2023 Officers

Membership passed a motion to appoint President, and new formed Vice President, positions to a two year term to foster stability.

 

Elected to Officer positions for 2023 are President, Cynde Johnson; Vice President, Brian LeBarron; Co-Treasurers, Donna Finchbaugh and Jennifer Peters; Secretary, Sarah Kahn

 

President, Cynde Johnson (2019) rose as Chair, Branding and Marketing Committee, then Board of Directors member, and President-Elect. Her unwavering spirit, entrepreneurial talent, and team building leadership helped CLN rise through the 2020 and 2021 pandemic years. Cynde is Owner/Professional Photographer of Cynde B Photography and Office Manager/Executive Assistant at Owl Homes of Fredonia. She has broad industry experience as Director of Marketing and Business Development in REIT, and Resource Development for the United Way of Southern Chautauqua County.

 

Vice President, Brian LeBarron (2019) followed Johnson as Chair, Branding and Marketing Committee in 2021. In addition, he has served on task teams for Board of Directors recruitment and Class recruitment. Professionally, LeBarron is a Business Development Manager for SUNY Jamestown Community College – Workforce Development. His experience extends as a former Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) national council member in the automotive industry.

 

Veteran members Donna Finchbaugh, Jennifer Peters, and Sarah Kahn are re-elected from their 2022 term.

 

2023 Board of Directors

CLN expands the Board of Directors to 8 seats, from 6. The 2 additional seats are allocated for non-CLN alumni to broaden the organization’s knowledge base from other strategic sources. New Board of Director members include Mindy McCarthy, Katie Castro, Victoria Eckert, and Craig Garaas-Johnson (Past CLN President).

 

2023 CLN Board Members

Mindy McCarthy, Rand Machine Products

Katie Castro, Ally Co.

Victoria Eckert, Youth MOVE National

Craig Garaas-Johnson, Chautauqua Hospice & Palliative Care

Christopher Taverna, SUNY Fredonia

Valerie Weber, Monofrax

Trenton Lutes, Jamestown Board of Public Utilities

Tim Piazza, SUNY Jamestown Community College

 

Leading Forward Into 2023

The Class of 2023 program sold out in advance of the November 15 deadline. An unprecedented 39 applications were received. It’s scheduled to begin with the popular Class Retreat on Feb 17-18, 2023 at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.

 

Regular Board of Director and Committee meetings for future planning are scheduled to begin early 2023.

 

To learn more about the Chautauqua Leadership Network, visit chautauqualeadership.org or call (716) 338-1555.

CLN Is Accepting Applications — Can You Help Us?

Greetings CLN alum,

We couldn’t have done it without YOU! We are at an inflection point in our history, and leadership is more critical than ever. We need more leaders like you, who shine goodwill, to step up in this rapidly changing world.

Please read through the below letter of request.

Thank you for your support and partnership – Looking forward to a successful Class of 2023.

Have a wonderful evening!

Katie

Katie Young
CLN Coordinator
435-671-0676
PO Box 298
Lakewood NY 14750

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October 25, 2022

Greetings CLN alum,

We couldn’t have done it without YOU! We are at an inflection point in our history, and leadership is more critical than ever. We need more leaders like you, who shine goodwill, to step up in this rapidly changing world.

CLN is accepting applications for the Class of 2023 through November 15th, and we need YOUR help. The best leaders create more leaders. You know better than anyone in Chautauqua County who is ready and capable.

Please, share our program with others and help nurture a countywide leadership pipeline that will benefit employers and the community. You know the benefits of the CLN experience, both in leadership development and networking. Who do you know that could also grow with CLN?

Applying is as easy as a click – visit our website at https://chautauqualeadership.org/join-cln/ or send us their contact information. We are ready to reach out personally. Your partnership can help sustain and build more leaders from our organization for another 30 years!

If you need a reminder of how life-changing CLN can be, watch this video with the reactions of this year’s class to the retreat.

Please feel free to share it.

Warmly,

Craig Garaas-Johnson, President
Cynde Johnson, President-Elect
Jen Peters, Co-Treasurer
Sarah Kahn, Secretary

Class of 2023 Applications Are Now Open!

Candidates may learn details and apply HERE. Class size is limited.

APPLICATIONS DUE BY NOV. 15th.
The Chautauqua Leadership Network uniquely provides leadership education and diverse connections to strengthen our communities across Chautauqua County. Our network of accomplished leaders contribute to every pillar including business, education, non-profit, and government.

Apply today for the Class of ’23. Over the course of a year you’ll develop core leadership competencies with other inspiring peers to:

Improve self-awareness.
Inspire your community.
Lead with confidence.
Participate in progress.
Impact Chautauqua County.
The program begins February 17 & 18, 2023 with a Retreat at the Chautauqua Harbor Hotel.

Here’s what this year’s Class had to say about the Retreat:

It doesn’t end there. The Chautauqua Leadership Network spans over 30 years with over 500 alumni! As a member you’ll grow your professional and social networks. CLN is a valuable resource for support, inspiration and accomplishing exciting new ventures in Chautauqua County. You can be the difference!

Grow. Inspire. Lead.  Apply Today!