Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA)

Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) http://elginchamber.com/eac/elgin-area-leadership-academy/

The award winning Elgin Area Leadership Academy is an experience for people like you who want to make the Elgin area an even better community. The program crafts and delivers a curriculum specifically designed to assist individuals in becoming an active and inspiring contributor to our community. The program offerings feature distinguished community leaders, content experts and successful executiv

es in the Elgin area sharing their ideas, perspectives and experiences. Programs provide opportunities to develop and leverage a strong professional network of future and current Elgin leaders in all industry types. The curriculum focuses on the following topical areas:

- A historical perspective of the City of Elgin
- A wide-ranging view of architectural, residential, cultural, economic and religious diversity of Elgin
- Communication, problem solving, mutual support, team goals and the group process
- An introduction to public and private education in Elgin
- Business and industry, development opportunities, employment issues and, its relationship with the city government
- A review of leadership principles
- A meet and greet with Elgin's "movers and shakers"
- Examination and understanding of the diverse population of Elgin

Such a great class of leaders!
02/24/2026

Such a great class of leaders!

At Saturday's class, our leaders had another exercise on working together on this challenge - they were awesome!!
02/23/2026

At Saturday's class, our leaders had another exercise on working together on this challenge - they were awesome!!

Saturday's session focused on education, and we thank our local educators for joining us at Larkin High School. A valua...
01/12/2026

Saturday's session focused on education, and we thank our local educators for joining us at Larkin High School. A valuable conversation on the various institutions and perspectives.

11/04/2025

The 2025-26 class of Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) is underway, meeting monthly in a ten-month intensive leadership program that provides them insight into many aspects of the community.
A program of the Elgin Area Chamber, Dan Fox, Ruth Munson, and Edgar Montes serve as the volunteer co-coordinators of the EALA Class. "When you bring this many people together--people who have consistently demonstrated enthusiasm and leadership in their careers--you experience great energy and see amazing examples of leadership,” said Dan Fox.
“Leadership Development is a priority within our strategic plan,” says Carol Gieske. “This award-winning leadership development program is designed to meet the communities’ needs for active participation and networking of informed and dedicated community leaders.”
This year’s class includes:
Victoria Ballesteros-Gonzalez, Elgin Community College
Crissy Barnat, Gail Borden Public Library District
Michael Baumgartner, Apex Gear Service, Inc.
Kristin Berggren, Centro De Informacion
Vivian Bocage, Rieke Interiors
John Gieske, Village Bank & Trust
Sandra Gonzalez, Elgin Community College
Yvette Gonzalez-Collins, School District U-46
Andres Lozano, Golden Corridor Family YMCA
Daniel Meyers. Elgin Youth Symphony Orchestras
Leslie Nathan, Community Crisis Center
Jeffrey Otte, JAO Consulting LLC
Mireya Perez, School District U-46
Sergio Perez, Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc.
Erin Ramirez, Real Change Studio
Allison Rodriguez, The Salvation Army
Myeshia Sanders, K'S Ultimate Vending
Janine Szerszen, Elgin Community College
Melanie Toth, Marklund
Joel Yumba, Elgin Community College

Since EALA was introduced in 1991, more than 550 local business, government, and neighborhood leaders have completed the program and have committed to becoming stronger leaders for our community.

Applications close on January 11. There is assistance available in many languages so get on it! For full details and to ...
01/03/2024

Applications close on January 11. There is assistance available in many languages so get on it! For full details and to apply, go to www.B2BNewBiz.com

12/11/2023

Comments from Saturday's session at City Hall hearing from the Mayor, Fire and Police Chiefs, Parks and Rec:
• Informative, fantastic, educational
• Educational, thought-provoking
• Educational, collaborative, transparent
• So many resources. Doing such great things to make Elgin a great place to live and work.

These leaders are learning while getting to know each other at our first EALA session. Thanks to Grand Victoria Casino f...
10/04/2023

These leaders are learning while getting to know each other at our first EALA session. Thanks to Grand Victoria Casino for hosting us on this special day!

It's begun ... our new Class of 2023-24 kicked off Saturday with a day filled with leadership lessons. Thanks to our coo...
10/04/2023

It's begun ... our new Class of 2023-24 kicked off Saturday with a day filled with leadership lessons. Thanks to our coordinators who volunteered to lead EALA again this year - Dan Fox, Ruth Munson, and Anthony Ramos, a graduate of the last class!

Join us for our next Academy class beginning late September. Applications still being accepted:
08/25/2023

Join us for our next Academy class beginning late September. Applications still being accepted:

Master leadership skills to inspire, empower and influence outcomes in the Elgin community through our award-winning leadership development program.

07/10/2023

It's time to register to attend the Class of 2023-24!

We're BAAAACK!! Recruiting for our Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) class of 2023-24 beginning this fall. Interested...
06/28/2023

We're BAAAACK!! Recruiting for our Elgin Area Leadership Academy (EALA) class of 2023-24 beginning this fall. Interested in learning and leading? We've got it for you! Check it out:

Elgin Area Leadership Academy Accelerate Your Leadership Skills Master leadership skills to inspire, empower and influence outcomes in the Elgin community through our award-winning leadership development program. Download Brochure Apply Now No one Should be Left Behind When people lack access or ski...

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12/29/2022

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Address

31 S Grove Avenue
Elgin, IL
60120

Opening Hours

Monday 8:30am - 5pm
Tuesday 8:30am - 5pm
Wednesday 8:30am - 5pm
Thursday 8:30am - 5pm
Friday 8:30am - 5pm

Telephone

+18477415660

Website

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