Leadership Upper Arlington will become a new program of the Upper Arlington Community Foundation by the end of the year. The merger is in recognition of an evolution of both organizations. Leadership UA has been a trusted legacy program of Upper Arlington since 1988. The Foundation has involved volunteer community leaders since 2007 and has increased capacity for programming in 2023. The enhanced program has a greater focus on leadership development and adds education in nonprofit board leadership, governance, and community philanthropy.
Between January and June of 2024, Leadership UA participants will attend eight evening educational sessions ranging from leadership style to leading with empathy, to nonprofit board governance, as well as program staples regarding the operations of the City of UA and UA City Schools. Participants will also be introduced to Upper Arlington nonprofits and ultimately become grant makers to a UA nonprofit project at the close of the program year. Applicants must apply for consideration.
The current Leadership UA Board of Trustees will become an Advisory Committee of the Foundation tasked with evaluating program success. Leadership UA’s current Executive Director, Nic Fortkamp, will step down from his part-time role and return to a full-time position beyond the Upper Arlington community. The Foundation is hiring for a full-time Community Engagement Manager to lead this program and other programs of the Foundation.
To date, more than 500 participants have completed Leadership UA. Many graduates have gone on to become volunteer community leaders, including to serve on UA City Council and the UA Board of Education. The Foundation hopes the revamped program will continue to foster civic engagement and build leaders for local nonprofit boards and committees.
“Leadership UA is a legacy program in Upper Arlington, establishing leaders in the community for 35 years! The timing was right to elevate the program to develop leaders to take civic responsibility in the City, Schools, and now our local nonprofit community. Our UA nonprofits will benefit from budding leaders as future board members, volunteers, and supporters,” shared Jessica Grisez, Upper Arlington Community Foundation, Executive Director.
“Leadership UA is more than leadership development, it builds unwavering bonds among a group of leaders who will continue to make an impact in their community for a lifetime. We are grateful to Nic Fortkamp for leading a successful program for our local leaders in 2023.” Linda Moulakis, Leadership UA, Board Member.
ABOUT PROGRAM
Leadership UA (LUA), a program of the Upper Arlington Community Foundation (UACF), educates and engages current and emerging leaders, and inspires them to take a more active, informed role in their community. The program creates connections, motivates change, and fosters community philanthropy to strengthen Upper Arlington.
APPLICATION DETAILS, DEADLINE
Interested applicants can complete an application by December 4, 2024 online at https://www.leadershipua.org/adult-program-application. The program cost for participation is $600. Scholarships for financial assistance are available upon request.