BURLINGTON, Vt. (February 4, 2025) – Leadership Champlain, the Lake Champlain Chamber’s flagship workforce development program, is accepting applications for the Class of 2026. Established in 1988, Leadership Champlain is a professional development and community engagement program with a mission to foster growth and leadership in professionals who will serve the local community now and in the future. The application deadline is April 14, 2025.
“Whether you aspire to a seat on the local planning commission or a more traditional climb up the corporate ladder, this program gives participants a backstage pass to how our state works and who the decision makers are,” said Alex Bunten, director of workforce and education. “We are very proud of where our 1,200-plus alumni community have landed and the impact they’ve made in our region.”
From September to June each year, Leadership Champlain participants take part in retreats, full-day seminars, service projects, leader interviews, discussion groups and community tours. Participants meet monthly to explore critical community issues, examine themselves as leaders, and build relationships of trust and understanding.
“Leadership Champlain provides a unique opportunity to dive into timely topics and engage with our region’s foremost leaders,” said Cathy Davis, president of the Lake Champlain Chamber. “Participants gain skills and understanding that serve them in their workplace and in our community.”
Leadership Champlain is typically a 36-person cohort and the application process is competitive. The ideal applicant for Leadership Champlain is someone who: exhibits a position of, or potential for, leadership in their employment or volunteer organization; demonstrates a strong interest in and commitment to the community; aspires to utilize leadership skills for the long-term benefit of the community; and has obvious potential for personal growth and impacting change.
Tuition for the 2025-2026 program is $2,600 for Chamber members and $3,200 for non-members. Tuition assistance is available on a limited, needs basis. See application for further details.
To find out more about the program, or to apply, visit leadershipchamplain.org. Contact Alex Bunten with questions at [email protected].