“LSC believes that investing in leaders today will empower the solution seekers of tomorrow.”
We look to our community and organizational leaders in challenging times expecting them to chart a course to a safe harbor. We need leaders to hold a vision for the future and empower others to plot a course. Leadership is an essential part of a thriving community. But how does one become a leader? Is it an inherent trait or a skill set that can be learned?
Leadership SouthCoast (LSC) has played a major role in developing leaders. In its 20 years of service to the community, LSC boasts over 350 graduates from its core community leader development program, LEAD SouthCoast. Alumni are proud of their experience and have done exactly what was asked of them: LEAD.
The organization has gone through a metamorphosis since its hiatus during the pandemic and has resurfaced with a renewed sense of purpose for lasting community impact. LSC believes that investing in leaders today will empower the solution seekers of tomorrow. LEAD SouthCoast was relaunched in the fall of 2022 with an inclusive cross sector of 29 people representing 25 organizations. This year the program grew to 34 participants representing 30 organizations. The program now features a board fellowship component that connects the class to board service. The current class was matched with 24 nonprofit boards across the region creating a pipeline from the program to community leadership roles.
Because there is a need to continue to empower more people across the region, I’ve put forward a vision of additional innovative programming. October 2023 saw the pilot of College LEAD SoCo which creates a pipeline from college to career for the region’s emerging professionals. With the higher education attainment level hovering around 20%, the South Coast “Brain Drain” is real and needs solutions. College LEAD will help to retain our emerging professionals by presenting career launching opportunities throughout the region while also connecting hiring organizations eager to fill positions with potential employees.
This article first appeared in The New Bedford Light on March 5th, 2024
Convening a cross collegiate cohort and hiring employers, the program focuses on opening doors for veteran, first generation, and BIPOC (Black, indigenous, people of color) local college sophomores and juniors who maintain a 2.5+ GPA. Monthly employer site visits by the students give them a deep dive into the hiring firm’s product/service, history, culture, and career paths. Giving the class access to high-level executives and hiring managers means this is not your typical internship program or job fair. This program is about teaching and empowering relationship building so the students make professional connections and receive an overview of opportunities available to them. Sometimes it’s not what you know but who. Career choices give emerging professionals the ability to make informed decisions leading to greater job satisfaction, financial stability, and personal growth.
Each member of the class is guaranteed a full-time paid internship with one of the participating organizations creating a pathway for permanent employment upon graduation. The program will begin to scale in the fall of 2024.
LSC will also pilot Women+ LEAD this fall, an executive leadership development program preparing women+ for high level professional roles. Women+ LEAD will serve underrepresented career women giving them the skills and confidence to step into C-Suite roles, board rooms and more. The program also aims to build a supportive network of high-powered women. Women leaders are an important component of a sustainable community. According to the American Psychological Association, “When more women are empowered to lead, everyone benefits. Decades of studies show women leaders help increase productivity, enhance collaboration, inspire organizational dedication, and improve fairness.”
LSC is celebrating its 20th anniversary on Nov. 14, 2024. The event will honor 20 outstanding alumni who have had lasting impact throughout the region. You probably will know their names.
BTW, the answer to the question at the beginning is both! Everyone is a leader, whether within a moment, a role, or a situation. There are many ways the community can get involved. Make a donation, get your organization involved in programs, become a participant. Connect with LSC to contribute to the work of empowering leaders throughout the region.
This article first appeared in The New Bedford Light on March 5th, 2024