Employer Sponsors

Sampling of Leadership Asheville Program Sponsors

Each person selected for the Leadership Asheville Program has an important partner throughout the 9-month process: his or her employer. Employers and sponsors play a critical role in ensuring our ongoing effectiveness in strengthening our region’s leadership, engaging the community, and assisting our leadership in taking action for the benefit of our communities. Thanks to their employers and sponsors, participants have the opportunity to engage with others from throughout the corporate, civic and nonprofit sectors in greater Asheville. As a result they become part of a unique and diverse leadership network. Program participants are not alone in benefiting from the Leadership Asheville Program. Sponsors gain immeasurably from it as well. The Leadership Asheville Program expands participants’ abilities to lead in a diverse region and a multicultural workplace. It deepens their knowledge of critical area issues and links them with an array of civic and business leaders. This strengthens their ability to have an impact both in the civic arena and in their careers. Sponsorship also heightens the visibility of Program graduates and their organizations.

More than 350 organizations have sponsored individuals since the Leadership Asheville Program’s inception. Following is a list of some of those those that have sponsored participants over the years:

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Who typically participates in Leadership Asheville?
Since 1982, Leadership Asheville has competitively selected over 1,000 men and women as Leadership Asheville Fellows. They include, among others, corporate executives, government officials, entrepreneurs, school principals, teachers, doctors, lawyers, clergy, community organizers and directors of nonprofit organizations. Participants are typically sponsored and financially supported by their employers.

What does Leadership Asheville look for in candidates?
The primary purpose of Leadership Asheville is to produce Leadership Asheville Fellows who are willing and prepared to serve their communities at higher levels. Leadership Asheville seeks applicants who have demonstrated leadership ability and commitment to civic and community affairs. Participants are generally articulate, curious, committed individuals who care about their communities and hope to make a difference.

What are the benefits of sponsoring a participant?
Leadership Asheville sharpens participants’ abilities to lead by giving them an opportunity to interact closely with a diverse group of people with multiple perspectives. Participants are exposed to a solid network of executives and decision-makers throughout metropolitan Asheville. Sponsoring a participant heightens the visibility of both the participant and the sponsoring organization. Companies, organizations and public agencies find that sponsorship provides an opportunity to elevate their civic profile while they expand employees’ leadership potential and ability to make a contribution to the greater Asheville area.

What is the sponsor’s commitment?
Sponsors support their employees in the program by giving them the time to participate and contributing to cover the cost of participation. For-profit, private sector sponsors are encouraged to contribute additional monies in order to provide tuition assistance to those candidates who are either employed by small nonprofit organizations, public sector entities, or are self-employed.

How does an organization become a sponsor?
Your organization can become a sponsor by nominating an employee for the program. If appropriate, the sponsor’s chief executive officer or board chair should nominate the individual. You can also sponsor a participant whose employer is unable to support his or her participation in the program. If you are interested in doing so, contact Leadership Asheville to find out if there are any candidates in need of sponsorship.

How can I get more information?
Please contact us with questions by phone at 828.348.0673 or e-mail us at programs@leadershipasheville.org.