Apply to the Jefferson Leadership Institute 

Are you ready to generate positive change in our community? Since 1992, there have been 30 JLI classes yielding 612 graduates. Join the growing alumni network. Class of 2024 programming is now in full swing. Check back next year for Class of 2025 applications!

Program Benefits 

For The Employer
  • Develops increased leadership skills that can be used for greater organizational effectiveness.
  • Presents opportunities to form strategic alliances and develops a regional network to help with business solutions.
  • Promotes greater understanding of diversity that can be applied at place of employment.​
  • An increase in opportunities for growth often led to an increase in workplace satisfaction and prompt higher retention rates. 
For The Individual
  • Provides experience in group dynamics, team leadership, presentation skills, and critical thinking.
  • Acquaints participants with the community’s continuing needs, challenges and resources.
  • Builds an informed network of diverse colleagues for individual, business and community problem solving.
  • Offers opportunities for participants to explore and strengthen personal leadership competencies.
  • Builds confidence and motivation to become actively involved in promoting positive change for Jefferson County.
PicturePictured: Michaela Frederick (right), Mary Jo Richards (left)
Michaela Frederick, Class of 2018, says, “Being a part of JLI affected my leadership skills, community involvement, and business focus by helping me to broaden my horizons in the different industries in our area. Spending a whole day learning about each of those industries, whether it was Agriculture Day and visiting local farms to Education Day and spending time at BOCES and JCC, broadens understanding and knowledge of the inner workings, which only helps to understand the whole system. Gaining this knowledge helps individuals to understand what areas of our community need help and the more involvement and knowledge we have, the better we can improve.
 
In addition, getting to know and working closely with other business professionals through projects strengthens one's ability to collaborate and work as a team member 
with individuals and skill sets that you might not have at your normal job. These collaborations also help build relationships and networking connections that continue long after you have graduated from the JLI class.
 
The JLI program truly is an asset to the greater Watertown area and I would highly recommend it for all individuals to participate!”
Class of 2020
Class of 2019
Class of 2018