Welcome new Executive Director, Kim James!

Welcome new Executive Director, Kim James!

We are excited to share that we have selected Kim James as our new Executive Director. She brings more than 15 years of experience to the role and has held leadership roles across the nonprofit, corporate, and higher education sectors.

Kim formerly served as the Grant Partnerships Manager at Tennessee SCORE and is a graduate of YLC Class 49. She is a thoughtful, seasoned leader whose vision and energy make her the right leader for the organization as we celebrate our 35th year and look to the future. As a graduate of the program, she is deeply familiar with our mission and knows the impact our work has across the community and beyond.

James has extensive community relations, program management, and communications experience. She is a graduate of Fisk University, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in financial economics before obtaining a master’s degree in business administration from Tennessee State University in 2003.

In 2018, James received the Women in Leadership of Central Illinois’ Woman Leader of the Year Award. She is also a 2018 graduate of the Peoria Area Chamber of Commerce Community Leadership School.

“After conducting an extensive search, we are pleased to welcome Kim as our new executive director,” Joshua Livingston, Young Leaders Council board chair, said in the release. “Kim is a thoughtful, seasoned leader whose vision and energy make her the right leader for our organization. As a graduate of the program, she is deeply familiar with our mission and knows the impact our work has across our community and beyond.”

The board also thanks Robinson Regen, our interim executive director, for her leadership over the past few months as we conducted a thorough search process. Robinson has kept the organization running smoothly, launched our virtual fall classes and been instrumental in preparing for next month’s Leadership Luncheon. She will also help transition Kim into her role over the coming weeks.

Please join us in welcoming Kim and kicking off this exciting new chapter for Young Leaders Council.

Now Accepting Applications

Now Accepting Applications

Interested in Applying for YLC this fall? Now is your chance!

Contact admin@youngleaderscouncil.org for application process questions or issues.

Applications are open for YLC Fall Classes – Nashville 75 and Williamson Class – with the goal for our meetings to be  in-person.  Click here to apply and send this info along to co-workers or friends who might be interested as well. Demand is higher than ever for seats in YLC classes. We accept applicants on a first come, first serve basis, and accept students in rounds. For example, Round 1 admits will include students who applied for previous classes but were wait-listed.  They will have 7-10 days to secure their seat, and then we will make Round two decisions, Round three decisions, etc. So, do not delay! Plus, our application is easier than ever to complete. Applying takes 10 minutes on our website. Once you send in our application, you will receive instructions to create a video interview. Once you send your video in for review, we will respond with admission decision. It is that easy! If you have other questions about our admission process, please contact YLC program manager, Rachel Blue, with questions | admin@youngleaderscouncil.org | We are happy to help! Applications will be accepted until July 20 or until the class is filled, whichever comes first. 
Young Professional Board Opportunity – Play Like A Girl

Young Professional Board Opportunity – Play Like A Girl

Play Like A Girl | Young Professional Board

Have you heard of the local nonprofit, Play Like A Girl? YLC has been connected with this incredible nonprofit by training many board members who are now involved and we continue to send our students their way for board internships. As their website history states, “Play Like A Girl was established in 2004 by cancer researcher and philanthropist Dr. Kimberly Clay for the purpose of advancing the health and empowerment of girls and women through education.”

Currently, Play Like a Girl is recruiting interns to join their Young Professionals (YP) Board. This board was the brainchild of a YLC intern, Dr. McKenna Healy, last year. Their newly recruited YP Board Chair is starting the process of creating a board infrastructure to bring on YP Board Members this fall. The purpose of thie YP Board is to provide more practical, hands-on experience with the Play Like A Girl participants (mission work), and receive additional training/development before jumping into their governance board.

Interested in joining? Read below…

A YP Board intern serves a one-year term with the option to renew, effective July 1, 2020. Play Like a Girl hosted a virtual board orientation Monday, June 1 from 3-5pm. Once this session has ended, a recorded session will be available to those unable to attend training.

Contact Dr. Kimberly S. Clay to learn more about this opportunity | ksclay@iplaylikeagirl.org | (615)601-1864

Learn more about Play Like A Girl | Here

Support Gilda’s Club – Two Virtual Events Coming Your Way!

Support Gilda’s Club – Two Virtual Events Coming Your Way!

Support our local nonprrofit friends during TWO exciting virtual events! Read below for more details.

Gilda’s Club Virtual 5K | April 24-26, 7 a.m. Friday to 7 p.m. Sunday

Visit the Eventbrite page here for more info and how to get your ticket! Tickets: $25-40

THEN, plan to virtually attend Gilda’s Club’s Songwriters Night, Featuring Dennis Matkosky, Greg Barnhill and Erin Enderlin

When: May 6, 6-7pm | Tickets HERE | Held on Facebook Live HERE

Tickets: Suggested donation of $150, anyone is welcome to watch!

A Resource for Nonprofit Boards During This Time

A Resource for Nonprofit Boards During This Time

We find ourselves in uncharted waters – as businesses, individuals, families, and nonprofit organizations. As we navigate the coming weeks, it is crucial to create a strategic plan for your organization to weather the storm. The resource below is not produced by YLC, but we want to share it with any nonprofit friends who might be looking for wisdom during this time.

Article from Board Source Blog:

“What Nonprofit Board Members Should Be Doing Right Now to Address the COVID-19 Situation”

City Lights 2020 | Family & Children’s Service Spring Event

City Lights 2020 | Family & Children’s Service Spring Event

City Lights 2020 | Family & Children’s Service March 28, 2020 – 6:30PM

We love our nonprofit friends at Family & Children’s Service! In fact, they hosted our most recent Opening Class Session for Young Leaders Council! They are hosting a spring event, City Lights 2020 – honoring Hunter Atkins & John Steele.

The party will feature a 70s Disco theme with live music by legendary funk band Delicious, dancing, and catering by Johnny Haffner. John Steele and Hunter Atkins will be honored for their community service and support of FCS. It’s a cocktail supper (open buffet; no tables). This makes it easy for partygoers to mingle all night. 70s costumes are encouraged (but not required), and there will be fun surprises throughout the evening.

The event benefits Family & Children’s Service, which serves more than 50,000 of our community’s most vulnerable children and families each year.

If you or your business would like to sponsor the event, please contact Beth Hall at 615.340.9718