Nineteen men and women, sponsored by area companies as up and coming employees and future leaders in our community, have completed the North Central Massachusetts Chamber of Commerce’s Community Leadership Institute.  CLI is dedicated to providing participants with individual leadership skills and a deep understanding of the region.  The nine month program focuses on education, government, health care, social services, justice system, media, arts and culture, environment and history.  The Chamber created the Institute to inspire a new generation of men and women to enthusiastically assume important roles in their community.   The program challenges individuals from diverse backgrounds to be influential in our region’s future.

Professor Mike Greenwood, business professor at Fitchburg State University and chairman of the Institute steering committee, is enthusiastic about this year’s participants and the meaningful professional, personal and community development they will take part in.  “I have been with the class since it’s reintroduction in 2011.  Each year, I am amazed and impressed with the dedication of the participants.  Programs like this are an important asset within the community to ensure one that continues to thrive, even after our current leaders retire.” 

Marty Connors, president of Rollstone Bank & Trust and past chairman of the Institute steering committee, led the Institute’s revival in 2010.  “I was in the 1991 class of the Institute and it was an integral part of my success in the community.  As Chairman of the Chamber’s Board of Directors in 2010, I felt we needed the program back to once again support our needs for leadership and succession planning. Rollstone Bank & Trust’s participants have enjoyed the program and become leaders here in their workplace and in the community.  We could not be prouder of the work they have done.” 

Applications for the class of 2020 will be accepted until August 23, 2019. Please contact Kat Deal, Events & Programs Manager, at 978.353.7600 x 235 or for more information. 

Community Leadership Institute Class of 2019

Amy Bonilla, Rollstone Bank & Trust

Matthew Borseth, Fidelity Bank

Jared Brown, W. E. Aubuchon Company, Inc.

Jon Bullock, Enterprise Bank and Trust Company

Kathleen Craigen, Fitchburg State University (formerly Sizer School)

Jill deSousa, Avidia Bank

Kyle Johnson, Johnson Controls

Brion Keagle, Fitchburg State University

Sweta Khajurivala, Montachusett Opportunity Council, Inc

Heather Layton, Mount Wachusett Community College

Christine Lowe, Institute of Professional Practice

Rocco Mammone, Resource Management, Inc.

Mary May-Lucchese, Montachusett Regional Voc. Tec

Christopher Medley, Fitchburg State University

Peter Ryan, Johnson Controls

Frances Santos, Montachusett Home Care Corp.

Jessica Senee, Leominster Credit Union

Jennifer Stone, Fidelity Bank

Anthony Trapasso, Halstead Insurance Agency, Inc.

About Community Leadership Institute

The Community Leadership Institute began in 1988, known then as Leadership North Central.  Over the last 25 years, more than 250 participants have graduated from the Institute and become leaders in their communities, with over 100 in the last five years.  Participants for the Institute are sponsored by their business and are seen as leaders or potential leaders within that company.  Applications for each class are available in July & August of each year, sessions held once per month from October to June.