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.
2022 Leadership Berkeley Highlights
“Leadership Berkeley provided me the opportunity to learn about the many elements of Berkeley County that contribute to the function and success of the community, as well as some of the challenges the community faces. The program also offered me the chance to meet and develop relationships with others who share the common goal of making a positive impact on the community.”
“I encourage people to participate in the Leadership Program wherever they do business and/or live. Learning how the community is running, where help is most needed, how growth (or lack of) is impacting an area and how it is being handled, how health and natural resources are being addressed. There are people that live in the area their entire lives and are not familiar with most major issues that directly impact their quality of life and business. The Leadership Program offers a better understanding and even more importantly, a way to be directly introduced to key influencers.”
“Leadership Berkeley has been an eye-opening experience for me. This program has given me a “peek behind the curtain” of our community, and really helped me to feel far more connected to it. This program has demonstrated to me the power that we have as individuals to help bring positive change to our communities. I highly recommend this program to anyone who has the opportunity.”
“Without question, if you plan to live and work in Berkeley County this is a program you should take as it not only provides you with a better understanding of Berkeley County, but also helps you understand more about yourself and about society in general.”
“I really appreciated the program for one main reason. Leadership Berkeley forced me to get out of my comfort zone and see different facets of our community. It is easy to get so focused on what we have going on in our individual lives that we forget about the challenges others in our community face every day. We have a lot of good things going on in Berkeley County, and this program opened my eyes to different ways that I can contribute.”
“I’m not sure I can pinpoint one thing that touched me most because all of the sessions were so informative and eye opening. Nucor was awesome, but the jail was an experience I’ll never forget, and learning about the delays in our legal system was astounding. The education session was so refreshing and gave me hope for our future generations. Finally, I am extremely grateful for all of the new friendships I made.”
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