The Leadership Haines City-Northeast Polk County program brings together current and emerging leaders from Haines City and Northeast Polk, with the charge of developing a network of informed, proactive, talented and resourceful leaders to constantly improve our community’s quality of life.

Leadership participants learn about different sectors of the community (government, private, non-profit); and the issues, challenges, and opportunities that confront its current leaders and the leaders of tomorrow.

The 9-month program immerses participants in activities and discussions to increase their awareness and ability to assess current and future issues that impact or will impact Haines City, Polk County, and the State of Florida.

Eleven business leaders participated in the Chamber's inaugural adult leadership class in 2010 and ten business leaders participated in the 2011 class. Classmates emerged from the experience with strong bonds of friendship, greater knowledge about their community and a deeper awareness of the issues our public and private businesses face.

Congratulations to Leadership Class I graduates: Casey Adams, Betsy Aycock, Brent Burish, Bobbi Freeman, Sherman Fullove, Lisa Harden, Anna Kestner, Michael Mathews, Ellen McCarter, Jenna Register and Matina Wagner.

Congratulation to Leadership Class II graduates: Allison Beeman, Georia Davis, Carlton Deese, Sharon Knowles, Mike Pruitt, Saul Reyes, Denise Watta, Ken Sauer, Dawn Willis and Bernadette Wright.

A Special THANK YOU to Linda Pilkington for her instrumental assistance in making the Chamber's leadership class a reality!

We would also like to thank Ellen McCarter for participating with Linda Pilkington as our 2011 Co-chairs! Thanks for all your hard work!

The Chamber’s Youth Leadership Program educates eleventh grade students about the various components that make up a healthy community. Monthly during the school year the students participate in a Leadership Experience, when they meet and interview key business and community leaders about careers in areas of Education, Business & Industry, the Judicial System, Government, Media and Culture & the Arts.

The Youth Leadership Program participants attend five day-long leadership experiences, each focusing on a particular aspect of community life. A three-day, two-night stay in Tallahassee culminates the leadership experience. Graduation is the third Thursday in April. Students, parents, school representatives, Haines City-Northeast Polk County Regional Chamber of Commerce representatives and other sponsoring organizations participate in orientation and graduation activities.

Congratulations to 2011 Youth Leadership Class 12 graduates: Brooke Watts, LaDarius Calhoun, Jackielyn Wool, Jeffrey Wells, Sarah Miller, Marcello Miranda, Nathaniel Even, Michael Smith, Matthew Thomas, Khera Osbourne, Rebecca Renelus, Gina Delva & Virali Shah.

A Special THANK YOU to the program's co-chairs Jenna Register and Jared Pratt and to their employers, CEMEX and CenterState Bank, for making the program such a success!