Leadership Highlands began in 1999 as a partnership between the Highlands Chamber of Commerce, the Peggy Crosby Center, and Center for Life Enrichment. Since 2001, it has been solely sponsored by the Chamber.

The program is designed to identify existing and emerging leaders from various segments of the community who have a sincere commitment to remain in the Highlands area. Leadership Highlands provides a comprehensive program for selected participants to gain the skills and knowledge to become a community leader.

The new class is selected in June and has their opening retreat in September. Classes meet for a full day from November through April. Class members receive leadership skills training by faculty members from Western Carolina University for one half day each month and then plan the other half day themselves from such topics as health care, government, cultural arts, environment, etc. They also pick a community project to complete.

MISSION

To develop and maintain an effective network of committed leaders in the Highlands community.