Topeka, Kan. (March 11, 2019) – The Kansas Chamber announced Monday its 2019 Leadership Kansas class. Leadership Kansas is a nationally recognized program focused on developing and motivating Kansas leaders from all four corners of the state.

“The Kansas Chamber is excited to welcome the newest Leadership Kansas class. As one of the oldest and most prestigious statewide leadership programs in the country, Leadership Kansas has a long history of fostering greater awareness and understanding of statewide economic, business and political issues. The program helps develop our state leaders to make Kansas a stronger and more vibrant business engine.” said Kansas Chamber President & CEO Alan Cobb.

This year, Leadership Kansas received more than 600 nominations for the program. After a thorough and thoughtful application and selection process, the selection committee chose 40 individuals for the 2019 class. The committee and the Leadership Kansas Board of Trustees make every effort to ensure the class reflects the state in regards to geographic, ethnic, occupational, and gender diversity.

The 2019 program begins in late April with an orientation session in Lawrence and ends with graduation after the completion of the Topeka session in October. The host cities for this year’s program are Garden City, KC Metro, Goodland/Colby, Pittsburg, South Central Kansas and Manhattan/Topeka.

Throughout the six-month program, the class interacts with a variety of experts and community leaders through three-day educational training sessions in different communities across the state. The diverse discussion topics include business, education, agriculture, public policy, societal health, economic development and government.

“Participants in the Leadership Kansas program contribute their unique backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives to the LK program, and gain a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to meet the business and government leaders of Kansas, who help them be better leaders in their businesses and communities,” said Mark Werner, LK Board of Trustees Chairman (Class of 1991).

Leadership Kansas has more than 1,400 alumni. John Federico (Class of ’97) serves as the Executive Director of the Leadership Kansas Program.