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Leadership Institute
 | For nearly 40 years the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute has been the premier leadership development training program in Greater Mankato. This nine-month program consists of 1-2 full day sessions each month from September to May, usually on the third Wednesday of the month. One session also includes an overnight in St. Paul. Don't miss this opportunity to learn the leadership skills necessary to take your career and organization to the next level! This program benefits individuals who:
Tuition for the nine-month program is $2,225 for Greater Mankato Growth members (Engaged level or higher). All program costs are included, including materials and meals. Copper through Diamond level members also receives a $200-$700 discount on the program fee. Class size is limited to 45 participants. THE APPLICATION WINDOW FOR 2021-22 CLASS IS NOW CLOSED. |
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Current Class: 2020 - 2021
Macy Anderson, Blethen Berens
Derek Barlage, Abdo, Eick & Meyers
Rebecca Bieck, MRCI
Blake Bode, Eide Bailly
Skyler Carlson, Greater Mankato Growth
Natalia Dann, Blue Earth County
Jason Fisher, Mankato Clinic
Abby Flantz, South Central Service Workforce Council
Amanda Frie, Minnesota State University, Mankato
Jennifer Gish, Gislason & Hunter, LLP
Brody Hala, Mayo Clinic Health System
Krista Helgeson, Dotson Iron Castings
Jeff Hendricks, Crystal Valley Cooperative
Jamie Hesse, United Prairie Bank
Crystal Hoffrogge, Community Bank Mankato
Jamie Jacobs, APX Construction
Brittany Junck, Greater Mankato Growth/Visit Mankato
Holly Kaduce, Blue Earth County
Hannah Keltgen, South Central Service Cooperative
Jill Kinas, Harry Meyering Center
Beth Kozitza, LEEP
Judy Kroll, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union
Matt Lassonde, City of North Mankato
John Marsolek, Blue Earth County Community Corrections
Adam Massmann, VINE Faith in Action
Greg McDonald, Rolls-Royce Solutions America, Inc.
Joshua McNamara, Taylor Corporation
Marshall Miller, Abdo, Eick & Meyers
Andrew Monson, AmeriStar Manufacturing
Jordan Nickels, BENCO Electric Cooperative
April Oachs, Mankato Clinic
Lindsey Owens, Gustavus Adolphus College
Josh Pederson, Bethany Lutheran College
Kyle Renneke, ISG
Claire Richie, Taylor Corporation
Mitchel Rohlfing, APX Construction
Dustin Sauter, Pratt Wealth Management
Jody Wills, Taylor Corporation
Heidi Zachow, Mankato Clinic
Nate Zender, First National Bank Minnesota
The Program
About the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute
Since 1983 Greater Mankato Leadership Institute has provided the area's only comprehensive leadership training program with a community focus. This nine-month program consists of eleven day-long sessions September through May, including an overnight session in St. Paul. Each year the curriculum is evaluated and updated by the volunteer Steering Committee to ensure graduates are well prepared to serve as leaders in their workplace and our community.
Benefits for Participants
The Greater Mankato Leadership Institute offers unique advantages:
- An exceptional learning environment allowing participants to practice leadership skills and apply them to their work and personal life
- Instruction and guidance from community experts and professional facilitators
- Opportunities to connect with business and community leaders
- A well-rounded curriculum that focuses on personal, professional and community leadership
Benefits for Employers
Enrolling key employees in the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute can benefit your business and organization in many ways:
- Strengthened leadership abilities and insight
- Increased satisfaction for employees looking to grow
- Enhanced skills applicable to today's workplace
- Exposure to the latest leadership development tools and information employees can bring back to the workplace
Scholarships
Charles Ingman Leadership Fund
This fund provides a partial scholarship for a Greater Mankato Leadership Institute applicant who has demonstrated community trusteeship by active involvement in the community, has assumed leadership roles and Leadership Institute tuition would be a burden to the applicant's sponsoring organization. The Leadership Institute Selection Committee is responsible for the selection of the scholarship recipient. Contributions may be made by sending a check payable to the Mankato Area Foundation - Charles Ingman Fund to Greater Mankato Growth, 3 Civic Center Plaza, Suite 3. For more information contact Shannon Gullickson or submit an application (PDF).
Hap Halligan Leadership Institute Alumni Award
The Hap Halligan Leadership Institute Alumni award is presented each fall at the Greater Mankato Business Awards & Hall of Fame to a graduate of Greater Mankato Leadership Institute. The purpose of the Hap Halligan Leadership Award is to recognize and honor an individual whose participation in the Greater Mankato Leadership Institute program has helped to provide an impetus for outstanding contributions to our community. Click here to see previous award recipients. Click here for a nomination form.
Session dates and topics for the 2021-22 program:
- Sept. 30 & Oct. 1 Opening Session & Ropes Challenge Course/Teambuilding Activities
- October 20 Greater Mankato - Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
- November 17 What's My Emotional Intelligence? What's My Leadership Style?
- December 15 Serving Our Community
- January 19 Embracing Diversity
- February 16 Effective Communication & Greater Mankato's Arts and Culture Scene
- March 15-16 Effective Advocacy & Civic Engagement (Overnight in St. Paul if COVID restrictions are lifted)
- April 20 Effective Leadership: Essential Ingredients
- May 18 Identifying Your Goals & Priorities (Final Session & Graduation Celebration)
| **Note: Typically, each session begins at 8:30 am and runs until 4:30 pm. Also, accommodations can be made for those with physical disabilities or those not comfortable with the high ropes course activities. |
Testimonials
"The Leadership Institute Class nicely blends leadership skills development and activities with learning about local businesses and both local and state government. We were able to meet many of Mankato’s community leaders. The class helped me to gain knowledge and advance my skills. Very worthwhile experience!"
- Michael Much, Mankato Clinic
"The Leadership Institute was a great program and experience. I met wonderful leaders in the Mankato area and I look forward to network with them in the future. I gained leadership skills and learned more about the local community that gave me a greater appreciation for opportunities the greater Mankato area provides."
- Heidi Suess, Blue Earth County
“My experience with the program has been great. It has led to me re-thinking the way I manage the team, established a wider network of colleagues in town and even led to some business between the city and local businesses. I highly recommend the program to all future and current leaders.”
- Nate Host, City of North Mankato
"My experience in the Greater Mankato Growth Leadership Institute was excellent. The events and presenters were both enlightening and engaging, and Shannon Gullickson, Greater Mankato Growth Talent Programs Director was an absolutely gracious host. A major contributor to the success of this program was the classroom interaction; this brought already significant points made by various presenters to a higher value since we could often relate discussion topics to daily routines in our professional careers. I highly recommend the program to anyone interested in gaining career development skills in an open classroom forum with a group of equally-driven peers!"
- Travis Kittleson, Kato Engineering, Inc.
Alumni
Over 1000 Alumni!
Over 1000 people have attended Greater Mankato Leadership Instute since 1983. If you're a graduate of the program and would like to make sure we have your current contact information, please contact Greater Mankato Growth.
Anderson Pioneer Bank Collin Bennett Knutson Construction Sam Courtney Gislason & Hunter LLP Kenny Elliott Dotson Iron Castings Mike Fischer City of North Mankato Jessica Garlow Consolidated Communications Brett Gauer United Prairie Bank Nicole Goebel Gustavus Adolphus College Lillie Herbst Feeding Our Communities Partners Wade Johnson Mayo Clinic Health System Jared Koch Blethen Berens Heather Lee MinnStar Bank N.A. Judi Leibbrand Harry Meyering Center Brian Luepke Navitor Specialty Products John Lustig ISD77 Tyler Resner First National Bank MN Rebecca Rosier Greater Mankato Growth Sergio Salgado Bethany Lutheran College Ryan Vesey Greater Mankato Growth Gwenn Wolters South Central Service Cooperative2020 - 2021
2019 - 2020
2019 -2020 JJ Akin, Gustavus Adolphus College Abby Bastian, Brown & Brown Insurance of MN Ian Bjorgum, Ardent Mills Tim Braulick, BENCO Electric Rick Brennhofer, Kato Engineering, Inc. DeAnna Burt, South Central College Sara Carrigan, South Central WorkForce Council Joel Chindvall, Harry Meyering Center Jenna Christensen, Eide Bailly Molly Fritz, Jones Metal Inc. Ben Gossett, First National Bank MN Murphy Grotewold, Carlson Tillisch Eye Clinic David Gullixson, Pioneer Bank Karri Harvey, Blue Earth County Sean Hayes, City of Mankato Laura Jans, Abdo, Eick & Meyers LLP Lisa Jasperson, Blethen Berens Ben Jensen, Dotson Iron Castings Lance Jeppson, Pioneer Bank | Brandon Knish, Profinium, Inc. Nick Kreinbring, Kato Engineering, Inc. Jeff Lang, Radio Mankato Tricia Lewis, Mankato Area Foundation Nicholas Mack, Courtyard by Marriott Heather MartiRock, Consolidated Communications Crystal Olson, Visit Mankato Meghan Peterson, Taylor Digital Sara Rienhardt, Mankato Clinic Rhett Schwichtenberg, Gislason & Hunter Linda Smith Sturge, Walmart DC Todd Stromswold, U.S. Bank Darcy Stueber, Mankato Area Public Schools Renee Tatge, Bethany Lutheran College Heidi Thompson, Capstone Mike Thompson, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union Laura Thompson, United Prairie Bank Roxie Timmerman, Mayo Clinic Health System AprilVan Genderen, City of North Mankato Clint Westphal, MEI Jolene Wilson, The Occasions Group Antonia Yenser, Minnesota State University, Mankato |
2015 - 2019
2018-2019 Aracely Alba Martin, BankVista Hailey Becker, Agri-Business Insurance Services (ABIS) Megan Berglund, Gustavus Adolphus College Jay Buboltz, First National Bank MN Jason Edstrom, MTU On-Site Energy Sarah Goettl, The Occasions Group Eric Hampton, Walmart DC Michelle Hankins, Compeer Financial Scott Hare, Mankato Area Public Schools Bill Henk, Consolidated Communications Seth Hoscheit, ISD77 Community Education & Recreation (MAPS) Nate Host, City of North Mankato Adam Huber, Ardent Mills Eric Iverson, Maschka, Riedy, Ries & Frentz Law Firm Susan Jameson, South Central College Christopher Kamath, Gislason & Hunter, LLP Brianna Kerry, Capstone Carrie Kijenski, Visit Mankato Travis Kittleson, Kato Engineering Inc. Kurt Klinder, City of Mankato Brian Kottke, Mayo Clinic Health System | Jesse Kwasniewski, Ardent Mills Krista Lapic, Kato Engineering Inc. JessicaMiller, South Central Workforce Council (MN DEED) JordanMoen, Mayo Clinic Health System Michael Much, Mankato Clinic Anne Mueller, MRCI Jacob Ouradnik, Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP Nick Rehder, MEI Steven Romnes, MEI Christie Satre, Consolidated Communications Marissa Sheely, Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP Jacob Sherlock, Blethen, Gage & Krause, PLLP Barbara Sherman, MTU On-Site Energy Emily Sieberg, United Prairie Bank Michael Slotemaker, South Central College Megan Smith, MN Valley Federal Credit Union Heidi Suess, Blue Earth County Jason Urban, Jordan Sands Estelle Vlieger, Bethany Lutheran College Meigan Westermann, The Occasions Group Tonya Weston, Mankato Clinic Lisa Witte, United Prairie Bank Calla Wolfe, MEI |
2017 - 2018 Katie Adelman, Visit Mankato Joe Bach, MEI Bob Beadell, Community Bank Jessica Bergeleen, Oleson + Hobbie Architects Adam Bleck, Mayo Clinic Health System Kurt Brauman, Walmart Distribution Center Danielle Ceminsky, Coughlan Companies Jeff Dahline, Mankato Area Public Schools Leah Davis, AEM Workforce Solutions Tyler Deike, Kato Engineering Lesa Drysdale, ISG Darcy Enter, Carlson Craft Joann Ericksen, Minnesota Valley FCU Abby Frantsen, MRCI Dave Grosland, MEI Jeff Hanson, MTU Onsite Energy Ashley Hawkins, Schwickert’s Eric Hudspith, Mankato Area Public Schools Josh Jaycox, Dotson Iron Castings Tonya Johnson, Fine Impressions Christine Johnson, Mayo Clinic Health System Tammy Knudtson, Blethen Gage & Krause Erin Kragh, YWCA Mankato | Arlene Kreutzer, House of Hope, Inc. Kara Long, Consolidated Communications Kevin McCann, City of North Mankato Danielle Mehia, Wealth Enhancement Group Cody Meschke, ISG Justin Montemurno, Kato Engineering Coralyn Musser, MEI Josh Naumann, Consolidated Communications Alyssa Nelson, Blethen Gage & Krause Bridget Norland, Greater Mankato Growth Debra Salmon, South Central College Danica Schmidt, Compeer Financial Tony Smith, Navitor Specialty Products Devon Soule, Eide Bailly Ashley Sprenger, AmericInn Hotel & Conference Center Rachel Tanquist, Minnesota State University, Mankato Jen Theneman, Partners for Affordable Housing Greg Vandermause, Bethany Lutheran College Molly Westman, City of Mankato Marti Wolter, Mankato Clinic Karen Young, South Central College Dean Zimmerli, Gislason & Hunter |
2016-2017 Aaron Bartelt, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union Tricia Bleck, City of Mankato Lloyd Buckman, Kato Engineering Molly David, First National Bank Minnesota Danielle Duffey, Visit Mankato Ashley Eimer, Rasmussen College Megan Gunderson, Snell Motors Brian Haley, Eide Bailly Nathan Hanel, Capstone Colleen Holicky, Jack Link's Danielle Johansen, MTU Onsite Energy Jessica Kolde, Angie's Popcorn Brittany King-Asamoa, Gislason & Hunter Ashley Lefeber, Jack Link's Kimberly Literovich, Blethen, Gage & Krause PLLP Shannon Messer, Walmart Distribution Center Kory Meyers, Kato Engineering Doug Monson, Minnesota Soybean Heather Mueller, Mankato Area Public Schools Amanda Neidecker, Coloplast | Scott Nelsen, MinnStar Bank, N.A. Brian Nelson, BankVista Scott Nelson, Mankato Clinic Bryan Petzel, ISG Melanie Runge, Mankato Clinic Stefanie Sanow, Courtyard by Marriott Brad Schonborn, Oleson + Hobbie Architects Judy Shultz, South Central College Alex Spencer, Pantheon Computers Travis Stewart, Agri-business Insurance Services Nathan Tish, Nicollet County Tara Torseth, Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP Phil Tostenson, City of North Mankato Bridgette Toufar, Carlson Craft/The Occasions Group Alison Troldahl, Mankato Area Public Schools Morgan Vanderburg, Mayo Clinic Health System Bradley Wallace II, Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP Dan White, iSpace Tyler Willmore Carlson Craft Judy Zeiger, South Central College Sam Ziegler, Greater Mankato Growth |
2015-2016 Torin Akey, MSU - Residential Life Crystal Anderson, All American Foods, Inc. Lindsey Bibbs-Anderson, Minnesota Valley Federal Credit Union Michelle Biedscheid, Capstone/Coughlan Companies James Bobholz, MTU Onsite Energy Vickie Bushman, ProGrowth Bank Nicole Carlson, Consolidated Communication Pratibha Dhamala, Small Business Development Center Brooke Forstner, Eide Bailly, LLP Jeff Grace, Blethen, Gage & Krause Casey Hardy, Blue Earth County Dan Hart, Mankato Clinic Aaron Hatanpa, Hatanpa Insurance Agency Diron Jacobsen, Walmart Katie Johnson, City of North Mankato Josh Kutil, Kato Engineering Elisabeth Moat, AmericInn Hotel & Conference Center Shawn Morgan, North Mankato Police Department Kim Mueller, Mankato Area Public Schools Robyn Naumann, Mankato Clinic Jessica O’Brien, MN Council of Churches Amal Osman, City of Mankato | Darci Pratt, Pratt, Kutzke & Associates LLP Tyler Scholl, Kato Engineering Joe Smentek, Minnesota Soybean Kelly Sonnek, Jack Link's Beef Jerkey Kim Spears, City of North Mankato Tricia Stenberg, Bolton & Menk, Inc. Stephanie Steward, Mayo Clinic Health System Connie Stokman, All American Foods, Inc. Joe Thom, All American Foods, Inc. Shelby Thorne, Abdo, Eick & Meyers, LLP Jacob Thunander, Region Nine Development Commission Steven Toedter, MTU Onsite Energy Dan Tomhave, Bethany Lutheran College Wade Volk, Volk Transfer Sara Will, Mankato Clinic Chris Willaert, Visit Mankato Steve Winkler, Jones & Magnus Karen Wolters, Mankato Area Public Schools Lindsey Worden, Jack Link's Beef Jerkey Kristy Ziegler, Carlson Craft Thomas Zimmerman, Consolidated Communications |
2010 - 2015
2010 - 2011 Mark Anderson | 2011 - 2012 Joshua Anderson | 2012 - 2013 Debra Addis | 2013 - 2014 Patrick Baker | 2014 - 2015 Alissa Brekke |
2005 - 2010
2005 - 2006 Lynn Akey | 2006 - 2007 Heidi Beske | 2007 - 2008 Krista Ahlers | 2008 - 2009 Laura Bartolo | 2009 - 2010 Andrew Tatge |
2000 - 2005
2000 - 2001 Elizabeth Boots | 2001 - 2002 Claudia Collier | 2002 - 2003 Linda Annis | 2003 - 2004 Timothy Anderson | 2004 - 2005 Shane Baier |
1995 - 2000
1995 - 1996 Nancy Benson | 1996 - 1997 Amy Atkins | 1997 - 1998 Kathleen A. Brynaert | 1998 - 1999 Bonnie Anderson | 1999 - 2000 Tom Barna |
1990 - 1995
1990 - 1991 Jody Bloemke | 1991 - 1992 Joslin Anderson | 1992 - 1993 Nancy Bellig | 1993 - 1994 Suzanne Bunkers | 1994 - 1995 Bonnie Barrer |
1985 - 1990
1985 - 1986 Nancy Achterhoff | 1986 - 1987 Pamela Baird | 1987 - 1988 Ross Arneson | 1988 - 1989 Judy Arzdorf | 1989 - 1990 Mary Aleckson |
1983 - 1985
1983 - 1984 John Baker | 1984 - 1985 Tom Anderson |
Thank you to the 2020-21 Greater Mankato Leadership Institute Steering Committee
Tricia Bleck, Chair - Mayo Clinic Health System
Dan Tomhave - Bethany Lutheran College
Vickie Bushman - ProGrowth Bank
John Bulcock - Minnesota State University, Mankato
Michelle Biedscheid - Capstone
Travis Stewart - ABIS
Danica Schmidt - Compeer
Todd Stromswold - U.S. Bank
Megan Mulvihill - Taylor Digital
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