Adult
Overview
Leadership Geauga’s Signature Adult Program provides participants with access to community leaders, hot-topic discussions, behind-the-scenes site tours, and interactive panel interviews across all community sectors. This annual 10-month signature adult program emphasizes leadership development, and learning through experience and provides in-depth knowledge, tools, and the network to lead stronger organizations and better serve the community.
Email Meredith Ashkettle for more information.
Participants enjoy
- 13 interactive sessions, spread over 10 months (including an overnight retreat and full-day graduation ceremony)
- Cultivate relationships with leaders across a wide range of sectors, industries, and backgrounds.
- Unparalleled networking
- Gain unique and diverse perspectives on critical community and business issues
- Go behind the scenes of some of the County’s most unique and cutting-edge organizations
- Thought-provoking discussions and interactive activities
- Access to a network of 850-plus alumni
- The prestigious graduation certificate awarded by Leadership Geauga County

Curriculum
In addition to an orientation, opening overnight retreat and closing graduation, the program includes nine days traveling throughout the County, experiencing Geauga County’s major community economic influencers. Participants examine the History of Geauga County, Educational systems, Human Service offerings, Health and Safety systems, Government interactions, Business models, Agriculture diversities and Arts/Leisure activities. To support the leadership development of our participants, small groups plan each issue day which allows for newly-formed collaborations and expanded learning beyond the sector of personal study.
Leadership Geauga County program develops the following competencies:
- Growth Minded
- Collaboration
- Social/Emotional Intelligence
- Servant Leadership
- Effective Communication
- Relationship Building
- Change Agent (Innovation)
2023-24 Program Calendar
Each class day runs from approximately 8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. and includes breakfast, lunch, and a closing reception.
Orientation | Friday, September 8, 2023 |
Retreat | Thurs., Sept. 28 and Fri., Sept 29, 2023 |
History Day | Friday, October 20, 2023 |
Education | Friday, November 17, 2023 |
Human Services | Friday, December 1, 2023 |
Health and Safety | Friday, January 12, 2024 |
Government | Friday, February 2, 2024 |
Mid-year Retreat | Friday, February 23, 2024 |
Emerald Ball* | Saturday, March 2, 2024 |
Business | Friday, March 22, 2024 |
Agriculture | Friday, April 19, 2024 |
Arts and Leisure | Friday, May 17, 2024 |
Graduation | Friday, June 7, 2024 |
Also, there are six planning meetings in addition to the program days. These meetings are scheduled at a mutually agreeable time, to plan your program day.
*The Emerald Ball is Leadership Geauga’s annual fundraising event. Class members are required to attend the evening event.
Criteria
Class participants come from every sector and neighborhood our community and must either live or work in Geauga County. The Leadership Geauga Board of Trustees looks for the following criteria and then approves the slate of candidates: personal integrity, a desire to increase community involvement, the ability to set and obtain goals as demonstrated by career/personal achievement, a growth mindset, and the commitment to the time and effort necessary to complete the program. This process results in a membership class that is representative of a cross-section of the population.


What Our Graduates Had to Say
“This program was exceptional!”
“Best work experience ever!”
“Broadening my personal network was so beneficial.”
“I am inspired to give back!”
100% of our participants strongly agreed or agreed that:
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The program was worth my time and tuition
%
I built stronger community connections
%
i will be a better employee due to my participation
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