Leadership Berkeley is a 10-month program that opens doors for business and community leaders who have the desire to understand all the major components of Greater Berkeley County; along with the aspiration to have the knowledge to help shape the future of our area. This program offers an opportunity to meet with local and state leaders while gaining knowledge of the issues and what makes Berkeley County continue to prosper.
The program begins with a two-day orientation, where you and your classmates will gain valuable leadership training while starting your lifelong bond. Then, once a month, you will enjoy hands-on opportunities and on-site sessions at various agencies, government entities and organizations throughout the county.
…a program that opens doors for business and community leaders…
A Unique Education
How Will Leadership Berkeley Help Further My Career?
Leadership Berkeley provides a unique education, while helping you develop important connections. The lifelong relationships you establish with your Leadership Berkeley classmates will carry over to both your business and personal life. Additionally, the opportunities to meet and discuss with the business/community leaders and elected officials gives you the insight to better understand and even help address critical issues affecting our region and state.
How Does My Company Benefit?
…an expert understanding of the inner-workings of Berkeley County.
Our proven leadership program will help develop and refine a multitude of skills – from leadership, to interpersonal communications and cultivating relationships. Your participation will also increase your company’s community exposure. Additionally, you will have the opportunity to help your company:
- Develop new business leads
- Create marketing opportunities
- Explore new ways your company can diversify their offerings
- Provide professional development training opportunities for fellow employees
Leadership Berkeley was established in 1989. Up to twenty-five participants are selected annually. The selectees represent diverse industries from various parts of our region. If you are committed to the ongoing growth and future development of one of South Carolina’s fastest growing counties, then we invite you to become one of the over 500 community leaders who proudly call themselves Leadership Berkeley alumni.
By the time you graduate, you will have gained an expert understanding of the inner-workings of Berkeley County.
Sessions & Topics Include
Orientation/Leadership Traits Development – Two-day training to bring the group together to learn the different leadership traits and styles.
History/Culture – From the forming of our county to the hidden historic treasures, learn the foundation which made Berkeley County strong and prosperous. This session includes a tour of plantation homes that are not open to the public.
Government – Learn more about how local and state government entities operate and integrate with business. Meet personally with the area’s most prominent leaders, from local mayors and the Berkeley County Supervisor to members of the SC State House and SC Senate.
Economic Development – See why international companies such as Google, DuPont and Volvo choose to call Berkeley County home. Includes a tour of the Port of Charleston – one of the premier economic engines in the state.
Law Enforcement/Judiciary – Focus on all legal aspects of the court system, from law enforcement, to incarceration. Includes a tour of a correctional facility.
Environmental – Focus on the environmental issues facing our state and nation. Explore several of the environmental facilities in Berkeley County.
Healthcare – Spend a jammed packed day hearing from experts on the social issues being addressed in Berkeley County along with visiting healthcare provider facilities.
2024 Leadership Berkeley Highlights
Leadership Berkeley has truly opened my eyes to the incredible scope and impact of what’s happening right here in our county, which is the size of Rhode Island. From housing the nation’s largest steel manufacturer to having a school system committed to preparing our young people for the workforce, there is so much to be proud of in Berkeley County. We are home to a diverse and dynamic population, and it’s only by stepping into the heart of these places that you begin to truly understand the community you’re serving. Without that understanding, you can’t be an effective leader or advocate for its growth. I’m incredibly grateful for Simone Thornton and the effort she poured into making this program as enriching as it was. Everything we experienced gave me a deeper appreciation for our county and inspired me to want to contribute even more. I’d encourage anyone who wants to lead and make a difference to apply for Leadership Berkeley—it’s an eye-opening, transformative experience .
The time and dedication put into creating leaders within our communities by the chamber encourages me to never miss an opportunity to make an impact. I would gladly encourage anyone to become a part of something this great, the opportunity not only encourages you to become more, it allows you to become aware of where you are needed to make our community greater for those beyond us.
Leadership Berkeley was more than just a program—it was a transformative experience that empowered me to make a real impact in our community. Through hands-on projects, expert-led workshops, and invaluable connections, I gained skills and insights that changed how I approach leadership. If you’re ready to deepen your understanding of our community, build strong relationships, and grow as a leader, Leadership Berkeley is an opportunity you don’t want to miss.
The Leadership Berkeley program was incredible for many reasons. Getting to explore the community and learn more about a variety of important topics – all while making lasting professional connections has been an invaluable experience. I am thankful for this opportunity and feel proud to be a citizen of Berkeley County. There is so much to gain from this program, and I would highly recommend it to anyone!
2023 Leadership Berkeley Highlights
There is no other opportunity I’m aware of that allows you to interact with and learn from so many different leaders within the community. That in itself was unique and extremely valuable and something I will keep with me forever. Additionally, I really enjoyed working with the other participants in the program. It brings together so many people with different backgrounds, not only career-wise, but also in who they are as people. Although we only get to interact with each other once a month, I feel like there is a special connection with everyone in the program, and that was something I appreciated and will always remember. I would recommend Berkeley Leadership to anyone who wants to learn not only how to further their progression as leaders, but also to learn what is involved in building and maintaining a functional and prosperous community.
I was most touched by the amount of history located in Berkeley County and the large impact this area has had on American History. I grew up in Huger, SC and have always been aware of the history there, but I never had the opportunity to visit any of the historic sites located on the banks of the Eastern Branch of the Cooper River in my hometown. To have the opportunity to visit Halidon Hill and Pompion Hill Chapel and learn about the people who lived and worked there some 250 years ago was fascinating. To see the remnants of rice fields built by the expertise and hard work of my ancestors was surreal. The courageous and pioneering spirit it took to settle this area way back then is motivating. I’m very proud to be from this area, but having the opportunity to participate in Berkeley Leadership has strengthened my identity in who I am by reemphasizing the importance of the work my ancestors did in creating our country while also providing me with an opportunity to comprehend and embrace who we were as a local community, how we got where we are today, and using those lessons to help determine how we best move forward in the future.
I was grateful for the opportunity to understand better that there are so many hard-working people dedicated to the community’s growth and how the county operates behind the scenes. Much effort and thought were put into each separate day our group attended. I highly recommend the Leadership Development Program to anyone who wants to learn about their community, find areas to assist, and build lifelong connections.
First of all, the positive energy of our group always being present in our monthly meetings it was something that I liked so much. Secondly, the monthly programs covering different aspects pertinent of our Berkeley County community helped me out to educate myself a little bit more about our local region, its potential and opportunities of improvements.
I knew from the first class that Leadership Berkeley was going to be something special. Meeting and getting to know the members of the class as well as visiting different businesses in Berkeley County has been a such a great experience. I thought History Day was going to be my favorite ( and I loved it I promise) but visiting the Wando Port was an experience I will never forget. Thank you so much for this incredible opportunity.
I really enjoyed the Leadership Berkeley Program because I learned so much more about our County than I anticipated. This program opened my eyes to all that Berkeley County offers and how far it has come to get to where we are today. We all need to be involved in our community and be proud where we live and work. Every month, I can honestly say I learned something I didn’t know before and it excites me to see how I can be more involved in the future. Thank you for this opportunity!
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