News Articles

LEADERSHIP SOUTHSIDE GRADUATES CLASS OF 2023

GRADUATES HONORED AT CHAMBER ANNUAL AWARDS DINNER

LEADERSHIP SOUTHSIDE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS

NEWS RELEASE

For Immediate Release

May 11, 2023

For more information, contact:
Anne Moore-Sparks
Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce
150 Slayton Avenue
Danville, VA 24540
Phone: 434.836.6990
Email: anne@dpchamber.org

LEADERSHIP SOUTHSIDE IS NOW ACCEPTING APPLICATIONS
APPLY NOW FOR THE 2023-2024 PROGRAM

[Danville, VA] – The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce is now accepting applications for the 2023-2024 Leadership Southside program.

Leadership Southside is the Dan River Region’s premiere leadership development program for the business, education, public, and nonprofit sectors.

Leadership Southside develops participants' leadership skills to strengthen their role as an individual, professional, and community member. From equipping participants with the understanding of a leader’s role in developing and communicating a transformative vision for the future to teaching them how to manage themselves and others effectively through conflict situations, this program is designed to build an alliance of the finest leaders for present and future leadership needs in the region.

During this program, participants will have the opportunity to build strong connections with their classmates, which increases the capacity for collaborative work across organizations. In addition, they will connect with each session’s presenters, who are established leaders from across the Dan River Region and the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Session topics include leading a team, conflict resolution, nonprofit board leadership, communication skills, crisis leadership, equitable leadership, presentation skills, purpose-driven leadership and transformational leadership. In January, participants will travel to Richmond for Chamber Day at the Capitol to hear from and engage with members of the General Assembly.
In its 31st year, Leadership Southside boasts over 550 proud alumni, many of whom are still leaders in this community. Here’s what a few recent alumni have to say about the program:

“Before Leadership Southside, I was always under the assumption that you needed the title to TRULY be considered a leader: CEO, Owner, Director, etc. But I’ve learned that titles are irrelevant; you can be a leader regardless of your position, and not only at your job. You can be a leader anywhere in your community.”
- Alyssa Turner [Class of 2023], River District Association

“In this program, participants will understand themselves better—how they communicate, how they handle conflict, and how they view others. I think Leadership Southside is an essential program to increase everyone’s emotional intelligence.”
- Irving Perez [Class of 2023], American National Bank & Trust Co.

Leadership Southside is a ten-month program, typically meeting on the third Tuesday of each month from August through May. Participants will graduate in May 2024 at the Chamber Annual Awards Dinner. To apply, visit www.dpchamber.org/leadershipsouthside. Applications are due by 5 p.m. on Friday, June 16, 2023. Only complete applications will be considered.

The Chamber has contracted with Rachel Covington to lead and facilitate the 2023-2024 program. Rachel previously served as the Senior Director of Member Services for the Chamber, and led Leadership Southside as part of her role. For more information about how to apply, please contact Rachel at rcovington@dpchamber.org.

The Chamber is grateful to its Innovation Partners and other regional funders, without whom this program would not be possible.

The Danville Pittsylvania County Chamber of Commerce accelerates business growth by connecting its members to dynamic resources and networks. The Chamber’s number one goal is to help area businesses of all sizes to grow and prosper.