A record number of participants have been admitted to the 2019-2020 class of Leadership Austin.

Twenty-eight people have been confirmed for the nine-month program, which kicked off with a social gathering at the Ike’s Cabin in Todd Park, Tuesday night.

While the number is down by two from last year’s record number of participants, the 28 enrolled for this coming year is still a strong indication as to the popularity of the program.

“I think there is a lot of interest,” said Jeanine Nelson, day coordinator for the program. “I think it’s really out there that a lot of people want to take it. There are a lot of businesses that taking advantage of it.”

Started in 2006 and organized by the Austin Area Chamber of Commerce in partnership with Riverland Community College, Leadership Austin is designed as an educational opportunity that enables participants to learn about this area’s resources, values, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges.

It gives those taking part the chance to be involved in the community around them, to give them the skills needed to be leaders themselves.

“I think it gives them an opportunity,” Nelson said. “They get to meet a lot of the current leaders of the city and community and build that connection with them.”

That connection in turn acts as a base to get out and help exact change within the community.

“Once they get through this class they understand more about the community and maybe help out the community and be more engaged.”

Ensuing program days provide participants with a series of tours and presenters, covering major aspects of Austin, including education, quality of life and diversity, government, business and Iindustry, community health services, public safety, and agriculture and agribusiness.

From year to year, the schedule stays roughly the same, although this year participants will see a different aspect of agriculture. In years past that has normally fallen in April, however, last year it was cancelled due to the late snowstorm.

That has been moved to November giving people a chance to see harvest rather than planting.

Nelson said that Leadership Austin not only helps people become involved in the comunity around them, but it can also be transformative.

“It might lead to what they are passionate about,” she said. “It’s trying to find their passion to where they can help their community through this program.”

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This years participants

Since established in 2006, over 250 people have participated in Leadership Austin.

This year’s cohort includes:

• Laura Anderson, Director of Marketing & Communications, Akkerman Inc

• Wendy Anderson, Marketing & Communication Specialist, Austin Area Chamber of Commerce

• Brooke Downey, Director of Administration, YMCA

• Angela Felten, Finance Director, Austin HRA

• Blake Flores, National Sales Manager-Applegate Foodservice, Hormel Foods Corporation

• Kyler Green, Supervisor-Clinic Operations, Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea/Austin

• Jacob Gross, Lead Supervisor, Hormel Foods Corporation

• Jeff Gross, Commercial Relationship Manager, US Bank

• Trish Harren, County Administrator, Mower County

• Mike Hartman, Sergeant, Austin Police Department

• Michelle Hjelmen, Communications Associate, The Hormel Institute

• Cosy Kriehn, Cooperative Response Center, Inc.

• Kirk Kuchera, Transit General Manager, Cedar Valley Services

• Katie Kuchera, Primary Care Nursing Supervisor, Mayo Clinic Health System-Albert Lea/Austin

• Sara Lee, Community Engagement Manager, Mayo Clinic Health System

• Savile Lord, Manager Spam Museum, Hormel Foods Corporation

• Yang Liu, Tax Accountant, Hormel Foods Corporation

• Danielle Morem, President, Damel, Inc.

• Tim Olson, Firefighter/Engineer, Austin Fire Department

• Karem Salas Ramirez, Community Impact Coordinator, United Way of Mower County

• Tucker Schieck, Dentist, Schieck Dental

• Ben Schuller, Facilities Coordinator, Austin Public Schools

• Holly Sherman, Executive Assistant, Riverland Community College

• Rachel Sippel, Career Planner, Workforce Development, Inc.

• Rain Suereh, Social Services Coordinator, Welcome Center

• Eric Tupy, Corporate Manager IT Strategy & Enterprise Architecture, Hormel Foods Corporation

• Mary Weikum, Director, Food & Nutrition Services, Austin Public Schools

• Jenn Wilson, Director of Event Services, Holiday Inn