Leadership Douglas County

Leadership Douglas County was established in 1999 by the Castle Rock Chamber.

In its 25th year, LDC’s goals are to inspire participants in the work they do; strengthen them and the organizations they serve; and facilitate a heightened sense of community connection to encourage individuals to take positions of civic and organizational leadership in the community.

Applications are closed and will open in February 2024 for the 2024-2025 cohort.

EDUCATING EMERGING LEADERS AND VOLUNTEERS IN DOUGLAS COUNTY

Leadership Douglas County (LDC), a program of the Castle Rock Chamber of Commerce, is committed to ensuring the continuity of knowledgeable and effective leadership in Douglas County. Today, Douglas County is the geographic center of Colorado and provides a blend of quality lifestyle and business environment.

LDC was created to ensure our community would continue to identify, educate, and motivate current and emerging leaders to improve Douglas County through personal and collective commitment. LDC seeks motivated, capable men and women from diverse professional backgrounds and supports best practices in setting standards of excellence.

LDC Graduation 2023
LDC Retreat 2023

LDC EXPECTATIONS

The program creates an expectation of servant leadership and builds in real opportunities to teach knowledge and skills through a monthly, day-long program, held on the first Wednesday of each month, October through June in various locations throughout the county.  

Each month explores a different regional topic and also includes a leadership development segment. Upon graduation, participants become the planning committee for the upcoming year’s class, applying their own program experience, as they complete their second year of participation as alumni in the LDC program.

SESSION TOPICS

Session topics throughout the year include:

  • Education
  • Public Safety
  • Open Space and History
  • Fire and Emergency Services
  • Economic Development
  • Healthcare
  • Social Services
  • Government
  • Community Resources
  • Arts and Culture
  • Team-building elements and skills training throughout.

PARTICIPATION REWARDS

For the Participant, LDC will:

  • Offer rigorous and relevant learning, with the opportunity to apply new knowledge and skills
  • Broaden participants’ knowledge of the community
  • Challenge participants to examine their leadership style, values, and impact
  • Increase the strength and effectiveness of our community leaders
  • Equip participants to respond to the challenges of the community today and into the future
  • Provide opportunities for direct contact with influential people, businesses, and service organizations
LCD Retreat Castle Rock

2023/24 Class Participants

Janine Beans

Brookside Inn

Joseph Bessenbacher

PRMG

Sunnie Bottin

Reclaim Renew

Terri Dankelman

Wind Crest Senior Living

Brie Dilley

SECOR Cares

Stacy Garmon

Castle Rock Chamber

Nadine Kirk

RE/MAX Alliance

Don MacBrayne

Sean Pooley

Nuclear Networking

Brandon Traver

Ent Credit Union

Marcus Turner

Lone Tree Arts Center

Want to get involved?

LDC Alumni

In 2023, the Leadership Douglas County Alumni was established to provide opportunities for participants who have successfully completed the Leadership Douglas County Program. With over 400 graduates, the Alumni Program provides the opportunity to:

  • Establish a professional networking.
  • Reconnect with classmates.
  • Give back to the community by continuing to provide quality leaders.
  • Continue to grow in leadership through educational programming.
  • Provide scholarships for future Leadership Douglas County participants.

Benefits of the LDC Alumni Program:

  • Quarterly LDC Alumni Newsletter – updates on current class and news about Alumni.
  • Link to LDC Alumni online directory
  • Access to quarterly events and socials.
    • Kick Off Social Event (November 8, 2023)
    • Service Project (April 2024)
    • Invitation to Graduation Ceremonies (June 5, 2024)
    • Meet the New Class at the Retreat (September 20, 2024)
    • Holiday Event (November 2024)

One year membership – $120/year

Special Thanks to our Sponsors!

Aloha Fund
Sturm Collaboration
CORE Electric Cooperative
Fidelis Wealth Advisors
Town of Castle Rock Colorado
Olinger
ANB Bank logo
folkestad fazekas
The Meadows