SPRINGFIELD, Ga. — For nearly as long as there has been an Effingham County Chamber of Commerce, there has been Leadership Effingham.
Generations of local leaders have gone through the program, learning more about the community they call home and building relationships with people working across business, government, education, health care and civic life.
Two cohorts ago, the Chamber began a deliberate redevelopment of Leadership Effingham — preserving the access and community education that have always made the program valuable while adding a stronger emphasis on leadership development, meaningful discussion, relationship-building and the increasingly complex issues facing a growing Effingham County.
That was also when Joe Marchese and Marchese Construction stepped forward as the program’s presenting sponsor, supporting that renewed vision and continuing that investment today.
The results of that evolution are already evident. The Leadership Effingham Cohort of 2026, which graduated in June, moved beyond learning about the community to identifying a need within it. Their capstone work led to Friendsgiving: Leaders Set the Table, an initiative designed to connect nonprofits, businesses, civic partners and emerging leaders around shared resources and stronger relationships. The concept has since earned a $2,500 Innovative Program Grant from the Georgia Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives, made possible through Georgia Power.
This week, the next chapter begins.
The Leadership Effingham Cohort of 2027 launches its program year with a two-day orientation and retreat, beginning an experience that will take participants behind the scenes throughout Effingham County while asking them to look at their community — and their own role within it — from new perspectives.
This year’s cohort includes Nicky Long, True North Legacy Group; Caitlin Garner, The Cozy OBM; Walt Lawson, Effingham County Clerk of Superior Court; Keith Wharton, DSM-Firmenich/DRT America; Jake Zeigler, Effingham County Board of Commissioners; Keith Dennis, Savannah Technical College; Kristina Denton, Ameris Bank; Oliver Beech, Lang Commercial Real Estate; Meghan Flowers, Coleman Company; Ilesha Graham, The Good Life Brand; Kelly Harley, Social Creative Co.; Carol Mitchell, Effingham Health System; Michael Castellano, Armor Fire Protection; and Collin Williams, Marchese Construction.
The range of organizations is intentional. One of Leadership Effingham’s greatest strengths is bringing together people who may work in the same community but experience it from very different vantage points.
More than a tour
Participants will still go behind the scenes, visit places they might otherwise never see and meet many of the people responsible for the work happening throughout Effingham County.
But the program’s redevelopment has placed greater emphasis on what happens after a tour or presentation: What was learned? What assumptions have changed? Whose perspective had not been considered? And what does responsible leadership require?
Planned class topics will explore economic and community development; government and civic leadership; education and workforce; infrastructure and growth; public safety; health and quality of life; nonprofits and corporate citizenship; and tourism, agribusiness and community attraction.
Some of those conversations will deliberately ask participants to step outside their own roles. Rather than simply hearing how different organizations operate, participants will be challenged to wrestle with community issues from perspectives other than their own.
A business leader may be asked to think like a resident. A government professional may have to consider an employer’s responsibilities. Someone accustomed to advocating for one solution may have to make the strongest possible case for another.
That ability to understand a community from more than one seat at the table is increasingly important as Effingham grows.
A seat for students
This year, the program is also expanding who gets a seat at that table.
Through a new partnership with the Effingham County School District, students will participate alongside the adult cohort during portions of four Leadership Effingham class days. Two students from each grade level at each high school will be invited to participate, creating opportunities for young people to engage directly with business, government and community leaders.
They will not simply be there to watch.
Students will participate in discussions and activities connected to the day’s subject matter and bring a perspective that adults cannot provide for them. Community leaders spend considerable time discussing the future workforce, the next generation of leaders and how to retain young talent in Effingham County. Including young people directly in some of those conversations adds an important dimension.
Their participation should be equally valuable for the adult cohort. A high school student may see a community issue very differently than a CEO, elected official or longtime resident.
That difference is precisely the point.
Leadership Effingham has endured because its core idea remains important: People lead communities better when they understand them.
But a program with that kind of history should never become static simply because “this is how it has always been done.” Effingham County is changing, and Leadership Effingham should keep pace.
Marchese Construction’s presenting sponsorship has supported that evolution, and additional opportunities are available for local businesses and organizations to get involved throughout the year. Class-day sponsorships and day-leader opportunities are currently available. Those interested in learning more may contact Susan Kraut at the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce.
By commencement next June, the goal is for these participants to know much more about their community — but also to get to know one another.
They should know whom to call when a question crosses organizational lines. They should be more comfortable asking difficult questions, more willing to listen before forming conclusions and better able to recognize that most important community issues look different depending upon where a person is standing.
So, to Nicky, Caitlin, Walt, Keith, Jake, Keith, Kristina, Oliver, Meghan, Ilesha, Kelly, Carol, Michael and Collin: Welcome to Leadership Effingham.
There is a great deal to explore, and the Chamber is excited to begin the journey with this year’s cohort.
— Susan Kraut is president and CEO of the Effingham County Chamber of Commerce.
